Teaching English abroad is an excellent way to travel and see the world. You’ll be paid a decent salary, and your employer will offer you many benefits.
How much you can potentially earn, however, depends on a few factors, such as your qualifications, experience, and location. An ESL teacher usually makes between $1000 – $4000 per month. However, some places pay much more than that!
I’ve compiled a list of the countries that pay ESL teachers the most! These countries were chosen based on how high the salary is versus the cost of living.
Remember…how much you earn may not necessarily be the most crucial factor in how well you live abroad.
Countries with the highest ESL Teacher Salaries
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Japan
- Korea
- China
- Vietnam
- Taiwan
Things to Consider:
- Start up costs,
- The laws and culture of the country,
- Requirements to teach,
- Cost of living,
- How much you’re able to save, and
- The quality of life in the country.
All prices are in USD
United Arab Emirates
The UAE boasts some of the highest tax-free salaries for ESL teachers. Dubai is full of attractions and wonders. The ESL market is fiercely competitive here due to the benefits, so only the most experienced and qualified teachers will find positions.
To have a chance at some of the higher salaries in the UAE, you may be required to have at least a Master’s degree and two years of teaching experience.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, teaching experience
- Monthly Salary: $3000 – $5500 (Tax Free)
- Weekly Hours: 20-25
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1000 – $1500
- Work Benefits: Furnished housing, paid return flights, health insurance
- Best Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
- Current Opportunities: Teach English in the UAE with Teaching Nomad
Saudi Arabia
A good salary, paired with a low cost of living, makes Saudi Arabia a potential country of employment for ambitious ESL teachers.
Due to its strict conservative Islamic customs, there is zero nightlife and a strict ban on alcohol consumption. People are also segregated based on gender. At least you’ll get to drink great coffee!
Finding work here is competitive, but not so much as the UAE.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, native speaker
- Monthly Salary: $2000 – $4000 (Tax Free)
- Weekly Hours: 20-25
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1000
- Work Benefits: Furnished housing, paid return flights, health insurance.
- Best Cities: Jeddah, Riyadh, Damman
- Current Opportunities: Teach English in Saudi Arabia with Teach Away
Kuwait
Kuwait is a small but wealthy nation. You’ll find large stretches of deserts and incredible scenery during your time as an ESL teacher here. Kuwait is similar to Saudi Arabia in its strict customs, laws, and practices.
To be competitive, you will need to have some teaching experience. Obtaining a Master’s degree will increase your chances of finding a position. Some ESL employers may require you to have one.
The most common ESL jobs are in private language schools and international schools. There are also opportunities in elementary schools.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, teaching experience
- Monthly Salary: $1500 – $3700 (Tax Free)
- Weekly Hours: 25
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1000
- Work Benefits: Furnished housing, paid return flights
- Best Cities: Kuwait City
- Current Opportunities: Kuwait International English School
Oman
Boasting a gorgeous coastline, Oman is a country with a long history. Oman is a little less strict than neighboring Saudi Arabia. However, you’ll receive many chances to learn about the rich Omani culture and their unique school of Islam.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification
- Monthly Salary: $2000 – $3500 (Tax Free)
- Weekly Hours: 20-30
- Monthly Cost of Living: $700
- Work Benefits: Furnished housing, paid return flights
- Best Cities: Muscat
- Current Opportunities: Muscat International School
Japan
When thinking about a place to teach English, Japan is usually one of the first places people consider. This island nation ranks high in quality of life and safety.
The highest paying ESL jobs in Japan are in international schools and universities. You will need to have more experience before applying for these positions. Many ESL teachers begin their teaching career in Japan through the JET program as an Assistant Language Teacher.
Finding employment here is not overly competitive. If you’re a native speaker and qualified, you should be able to find work promptly.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree
- Monthly Salary: $2500 – $5000
- Weekly Hours: 30-35
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1700
- Work Benefits: 20 paid vacation days, flight reimbursement,
- Best Cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
- Current Opportunities: JET Program
Korea
Korea is an incredible country with fantastic food, culture, and heaps of things to do. ESL teachers enjoy many of the benefits that are offered here, such as subsidized housing.
The majority of TEFL positions are in hagwons, which are private language schools. You’ll be able to be placed in a public school through the EPIK program.
Although the salary you’ll receive in Korea may not be as high as Japan, the cost of living is lower.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, native speaker
- Monthly Salary: $1800 – $2000
- Weekly Hours: 22 + overtime
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1200
- Work Benefits: Housing provided, flight reimbursement, healthcare
- Best Cities: Seoul, Busan
- Current Opportunities: EPIK
China
The ELS industry in China is HUGE, and so is the country itself. There is just so much to do in the middle kingdom!
China uses a tier system for its cities. Tier-one cities like Beijing and Shanghai will provide the highest salaries but also the highest living costs.
China has a one-party government with strict regulations over various aspects of life. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and most of Google are blocked. You’ll have to grow accustomed to using WeChat and Bing!
- Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, TEFL certification, native speaker, teaching experience
- Monthly Salary: $1400 – $3000
- Weekly Hours: 25 teaching hours + 10 office hours
- Monthly Cost of Living: $700 – $1000
- Work Benefits: Housing, flight reimbursement, end of year bonuses, six weeks of paid holidays, free lunches, Chinese language lessons
- Best Cities: Shanghai, Beijing
- Current Opportunities: CIEE Teach English in China
Vietnam
Vietnam is the sparkling gem of Southeast Asia. This beautiful country has recently begun a government-backed initiative to improve the English proficiency of its citizens. Therefore, the opportunities to teach English here have skyrocketed.
Teaching in Vietnam may not pay as much as teaching in East Asia, but living here costs so little that you will have a very relaxed lifestyle.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, TEFL certification, native speaker
- Monthly Salary: $1500 – $2000
- Weekly Hours: 20-30
- Monthly Cost of Living: $600
- Work Benefits: Healthcare, paid holidays, end of year bonuses
- Best Cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
- Current Opportunities: Get trained to teach in Vietnam with NinjaTeacher.com
Taiwan
Taiwan is similar to Japan in that it’s a super safe place to live. You’ll be exposed to some of the best cuisine and nightlife that Asia has to offer. Taiwanese people are also amiable and open, so you’ll make plenty of new friends.
Buxibans are private schools that run classes to supplement students’ regular education. They are famous for ESL teachers looking to find work in Taiwan. There are also opportunities to find a position in public schools, international schools, and universities.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, native speaker
- Monthly Salary: $2000 – $2400
- Weekly Hours: 25-35
- Monthly Cost of Living: $1000
- Work Benefits: Paid accommodation, flight reimbursement, health care, two weeks vacation
- Best Cities: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung
- Current Opportunities: Teach English in Taiwan with Teaching Nomad
Become TEFL Certified!
Before teaching abroad, you’ll need a TEFL certification. Head over to ITTT and complete one of their online courses. ITTT’s TEFL and TESOL courses are internationally accredited and offer the best value for money.
Learn More: How to get an English teaching certificate online
How to apply for an ESL Teaching Job Abroad?
You can arrange to have a job waiting for you before you arrive in your country of employment. Your employer will help you with obtaining your working visa.
Here are some excellent places to start looking for your dream ESL teaching jobs abroad.
- TeflSearch
- i-to-i Teach English Abroad & Online
- Love Tefl Jobs
- Go Overseas
- ESL Base
- The Tefl Academy
- Dave’s ESL Cafe
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