Teaching English in China Salaries 2022 (2023)

The high ESL teacher salaries in China primarily attract teachers from all over the world. The country's normally competitive salaries have continued to rise recently due to the fallout from the pandemic. Kind of a silver lining, you might think? As a matter of fact!

Read on to find out how much you can earn teaching English in China in 2022!

*The average salaries in China for teachers are based on a range ofLectureships across China. You may need to dig a little deeper to find the exact averages for your preferred location.

One of the most common questions we ask here at China by Teaching is about salaries. How much do teachers earn in China, you ask? It depends on.

A few key variables drive salaries. They are:

your formal qualifications

The type of teaching

The lesson goal

The demand for foreign teachers is at an all-time high in 2022. Many foreign teachers returned to their home countries at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and most simply never returned. As China reopened to the world and tried to get its normal life back on track, schools and teaching institutions across the country found a dire shortage of ESL teachers.

As a result, average teacher salaries in China have skyrocketed this year. If you've ever thought about finding oneLectureship in China, there really is no better time thanat the momentto make the move.

While we expect teacher salaries to eventually return to normal by next year, China will continue to offer enticing rewards and will no doubt remain a great destination for teachers. How do we know? Because pre-pandemic China was already a worthy destination for teachers, and “average” salaries were higher than almost anywhere in the world.

Here's what to expect from your English teaching salary in China in 2022.

Kindergarten teacher jobs are among the best paid in China. ThatAverage salaries hover around 18,000 RMB (2,800 USD). Reputable, private children pay above-average salaries, and teachers can earn even more if they work in top-notch cities.

Kindergarten salaries by level (average):

Tier 1: 22,000 – 32,000 RMB (23,750 – 5,000 USD)

Level 2: 20.000 – 26.000 RMB ($3.450 – $4.000)

Level 3:18.000 – 24.000 RMB(2.800 $ – 3.750 $)

The perks of this particular teaching profession are fairly universal in China, although you'll find a significant disparity in salaries between public and private kindergartens.

It goes without saying that in order to find kindergarten jobs that pay off, you should have a deep passion for teaching and interacting with children. If you do, you'll enjoy the lighter workload, more relaxed ambience, and generous lunch breaks (often more than 2 hours). Add in a few fun and active classes and it can be a very enjoyable experience indeed.

When you have little to dohave no teaching experience but still want to earn a very decent salary for teaching English in China, Kindergarten jobs are ideal

Training centers offer extracurricular English classes that complement traditional schooling. Classes usually take place in the evenings and at weekends and can be offered to children and adults alike.

The salaries for English teachers in China's training centers are not exactly fabulous(about USD 3,000+ in major cities).However, these jobs can also be very tempting in other ways.

Training Center Instructor Salaries by Level (Average):

Tier 1: 24,000 – 30,000 RMB (3,750 – 4,700$)

Rang 2:18.000 – 26.000 RMB ($2.800 – $4.050)

Level 3: 16.000 – 22.000 RMB($2.500 – $3.500)

Work evenings and weekends can give you a lot of free time during the week, which means you can supplement your income with tutoring. You can also negotiate two consecutive free days of the week (e.g. Monday and Tuesday) to create your own weekend.

If you come to China primarily for the cultural experience and the opportunity to explore and discover a new country, an apprenticeship is for you. Not only will you have time off when everyone else is working (less crowded tourist attractions and cheaper travel costs), but you'll work fewer hours and be in contact with a much larger number of students.

Overall, this can make for an excellent teaching experience, even if you don't necessarily earn a lot. Mind you, the ratio of paid to tuition hours is still impressive.

Coveted for their lighter workload, weekday schedule, and overall greater flexibility, college teaching jobs can come with fantastic perks. These apprenticeships can vary greatly, as can the salaries thatrange from $1,500 to $2,500depending on the level of awareness of the university.

At a Chinese university, you don't follow a set curriculum and enjoy a lot more freedom with your students. You, in turn, will grow older and more independent, which also means you'll enjoy potentially more rewarding and challenging classroom discussions. You teach a maximum of 20 hours per week, have weekends and evenings off and are well respected in your local area, which in itself is a wonderful bonus.

The demands and requirements for college teachers are nowhere near as stringent as, say, international school boards, and the rewards can be phenomenal. Additionally, if you land a position at one of the country's most prestigious universities, your salary for teaching English in China can be well above average.

Public school jobs were once among the lowest-paid teaching jobs in China. No longer! Granted, they may not yet compare to higher-paying positions, but salaries for these jobs have increased quite a bit over the past few years. Additionally, the usual perks that have traditionally attracted many first-time ESL teachers remain, making public school jobs increasingly attractive.

What are these perks? First of all, your position and teaching visa will be secured and protected under a government mandate. You will also have a curriculum to follow, so you don't have to invest hours of lesson preparation. The work schedule is relaxed and among the least stressful of any apprenticeship, which is suitable for those just starting out or anyone who prefers to just go with the flow and have an easier time.

If that's not enough, public school jobs are perhaps the easiest to get in China because the requirements aren't as strict.

If all of that isn't enough, note that public school teachers also benefit from a fair amount of free time (school vacations and public holidays can last up to four full months). Just remember that many contracts offered have a 10 month limit. This is usually done to cheat you in the holiday fund! Keep this in mind when negotiating your contract.

For many, public school jobs are a great way to gain classroom experience or to get away from teaching young children. Regardless of your motivation, you will not regret spending at least a year in the public school system in China.

Average teacher salaries in China's private schools will almost always exceed those in public schools, although the workload, stress, commitment and expectations will also be much higher.

In public schools, you follow a set curriculum and work closely with a local teacher. There's still a lot of competition among public schools, so don't think these are all "easy-peasy" jobs. Your lesson plan will be similar to a 9-to-5, and your accommodation will often be provided. You'll have to deal with less paperwork and oversee extracurricular activities.

Although your average teacher salary in China can be as little as $2,000 per month in the public system, the total package can be very tempting indeed.

In a private school, however, expectations are as high as average salaries. These expectations will come at you from all sides: your employer, your fellow teachers, and especially your parents. Working at a private school is a good way to make money, but there's no stopping it.

The benefits include fantastic working conditions (high-tech amenities and equipment that public schools simply don't have), greater teaching freedom, a highly respected community reputation, and exceptional salaries.

You can learn more about the differences between private and public schools, righthere.

Your choice of travel destination will affect your salary just as much as your job title. As you can imagine, the largest, wealthiest, and most prominent cities offer the highest teacher salaries.

Fortunately, Chinese cities have a tiered system that makes determining salary brackets relatively easy.

When you learn more about itChinas City-Tier-System, you will understand that with the bonus of a higher salary comes the downside of a higher cost of living.

However, China is still a very affordable place to live and you will discoverThe daily cost of living is much lower than in most western countries.Yes, even in the most expensive cities in the country.

A large part of your monthly expenses depend on your habits. Your taste for foreign imports, craft beers and how much you socialize will determine how much money you can save each month.

But even with expensive tastes, it's quite an effort to get through your salary every month and not at least have something to spare for a rainy day.

This is what makes teaching in China so attractive for many teachers.

Imstep 1ThereforePeking,shanghaiandShenzhen) Teacher salaries start at $2,600 per month and can go up to $5,000.

In smaller and less prominentlevel 3Cities (like Dalian and Guilin) ​​will see the salary drop by around 25% – here you can expect to earn anywhere from $2,000 for the lowest-paying positions to $3,500 for prime positions.

Lectureships inRang 2ThereforeChengdu) will of course be somewhere in between.

The importance of a particular schoolcan also drive up teacher salaries. Even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in China, average teacher salaries can be impressive if the school is highly regarded. Conversely, in a Tier 1 city, you can get paid below par if the school has a bad reputation.

At the end of the day, English teaching salaries in China work in a yin and yang balance. Essentially, they are determined by more than one factor. Location, job type and school awareness are the main salary drivers.

But there's something else you need to know about...

The average salary in China in 2022 across the labor market is about 7,400 RMB – orjust under $1,200 per month. This is considerably lower in most developed countries and explains how the cost of living is kept comparatively low.

However, the median salary is nearly $5,000 a month, suggesting that about half of the population cannot even break the median salary mark. A huge percentage, on the other hand, earn astronomical salaries.

China's average salary disparity is not surprising given the tiered city system, the sheer number of working adults, and the wide range of skilled and unskilled jobs in the public and private sectors. China manages to create over 12 million jobs in its (many) busy cities every year.

In comparison, the ESL teaching sector is well paid, which is explained by the huge increase in demand over the past two years. Even the lowest paid teacher in the most remote city will manage to earn the average salary in China. The majority earn significantly more.

Also, foreign teachers are in a much better bargaining position than the average Chinese employee. While almost all sectors should see an 8-10% pay rise each year, many don't. ESL teachers, on the other hand, can renegotiate their existing teaching contract or get better-paying employment at another school once their current employment contract expires.

For this reason, it is also important not to commit yourself to long-term contracts with any school in China. A 12 month contract is the norm, but sometimes a school will push for a 2 year contract. Of course, this is not to your (financial) advantage.

This is perhaps the most important question to ask yourself, and the answer is: surprisingly little!

Here's a brief synopsis, but read on for more detailed information:

• In Tier 1 cities, you can enjoy a decent standard of living and still save while earning as little as 18,200 RMB (2,800 USD).
• In Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, if you don't eat too much of imported goods, you can still save some of your salary on a $2,000 salary.

Your spending habits will play a big part in determining your lifestyle in China.

Keep this in mind when trying to determine the ideal teacher salary for you.

More details can be found in ourCost of living in Chinathe blog.

Well-known cities offer the widest range of living costs, and that's because, for little money, you can "live like a local" or live like an executive-level expat and spend five times as much. Overall, the cost is still lower than most western countries.

Even in “expensive” cities in China, you can pay as little as 4,000-6,000 (USD 600-950) a month for a city-centre shared apartment. Enjoy an excellent local meal at a restaurant for 40 RMB (7 USD). You can get a monthly gym membership for $50 and spend peanuts on public transportation.

If you buy your groceries locally and aren't crazy about fancy cocktails, it's easy to see how well you can make a living from an English teacher's salary in China.

Cost of Living – Tier 2 & 3 Cities

Your salary range may well be 25% lower in less prominent Chinese cities, but the drop in the cost of living will fall even more. Sometimes the cost of living can be as little as 50% of big cities. That means you'll still have more yuan in the bank at the end of each month.

And isn't that the aim of the game?

Average costs for meals, beer, gym memberships, and public transportation are only slightly lower in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. However, it is the rental prices that make the difference.

Take Ningbo for example. This bustling and beautiful city is only 200km from Shanghai, but rents are almost 70% cheaper here! This is how you save money. Added to this is the fact thatNingbois actually an excellent teaching city and has many prominent schools. You'll see that the lowest salary dollar isn't the only thing to consider.