Job Discussion Forums

Jemineye · Joined: 01 Nov 2012 Posts: 5

Hi there.

I'm sure this question has been asked already but I was wondering what a typical starting salary for a new ESL teacher is in China. I've read in places that it can range between 7000rmb to 13000 rmb. (I've even read somewhere that recruiters should be avoided at all costs as they take a portion of your montly salary). I haven't any major teaching experience but I do possess a Trinity CertTESOL. I think I even read somewhere that having this qualification might boost your salary with certain companies, but ultimately, would be nice to speak to those who have experiences with China.

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Those salaries are a bit high. Maybe they're accurate for Beijing or Shanghai, but generally speaking you need 2 years experience for those cities, and any extra salary is offset by cost of living.

Salaries do vary by region, but generally you're looking at 5k a month (+ included accommodation) for Uni jobs (which are essentially part-time) or 8-10k for language mills, which are very much full-time. Some language mills may pay even less.

But either way, that's plenty of money to be getting along with. There's more important things. If you're serious about teaching, you need to be somewhere that will develop you as a teacher, and where you'll be happy. if you're good, then you'll be more able to access better jobs with better pay a year or 3 down the line.

I'm afraid the Trinity doesn't mean an awful lot in China, although obviously there are schools that will appreciate it.

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

The salary can range from 5000 to about 12000, the top end is only likely in a big city where you will be paying for your own accommodation, which could take 3 to 4 thousand of that. The low end would be in a university with low hours and free accommodation.

In my opinion what is 'typical' is not important, what is important is the deal you are being offered by the school that is looking to hire you. As one poster here frequently and rightly states, when it comes to the money 'think package'. There are so many variables involved in finding the right job for you, location, climate, hours, type of students, money, holidays accommodation etc. My advice is to forget about what is typical and just figure out what you want and start looking for it.

GreatApe · Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:35 am Post subject:

In my experience, both vikeologist's and doogsville's advice is spot-on!

You've got the degree and a credential to get you the job, but you have no experience as an in-class teacher. You're only going to be able to "stretch" a school's starting salary so far, depending largely upon their level of desperation, the location of the school, and their need for a foreign teacher.

Accordingly, as doogsville said, "Typical is not important." It's the package and the hoops that you will be asked to jump through, as well as the hidden "unmentionables" that you won't know about until you arrive, that are what make or break a deal.

As they say, "The Devil is in the details" ... and when it comes to working in China ... it matters not whether you actually believe in the devil. (Cue the Keyser Soze references and quotes from "The Usual Suspects").

--GA

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Yeah. Like, my friend and I both work for unis and make similar salaries. However, there are a few big differences:
(1)He gets no free internet
(2)He pays his own utilities
(3)If something breaks in the free school apartment, they don't fix it. Mine, they fix
(4)He works a few more hours than me
(5)His contract is 10 months, mine is twelve months. Meaning we do the same amount of work but I get 2 months more pay.

On the surface, our jobs are similar, but in the end, considering the utilities, internet, and extra months, I'm making like 15k more per year than he is (depending on utilities).

Jemineye · Joined: 01 Nov 2012 Posts: 5

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm definitely be keeping an eye on packages. A lot of the stuff I'm coming across seem to include a free apartment which is always nice but 6 day weeks are a little hmmm.

Ultimately what you're saying is though that in China, experience counts more than anything else?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

So, even though a teacher may leave about now (or earlier) having lodged his/her marks with Admin, settled the utility bill etc, they will be paid until end of August?
If so, you have hit the Mother Lode!

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I take back a bit of my negative comment about Chinese looking to nickle and dime on the back of more young Westerners looking to get started in China because of hiring problems at home.
That's one for the ages Mr B.

BlueBlood · Joined: 31 Aug 2013 Posts: 261

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

My understanding is with the new social tax unis are required to pay a full twelve months (the insurance needs to be paid for a full year). Now, if they give you a full salary for the summer months is a different story.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I've only heard of summer pay if you re-sign for the new academic.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

At the place I work this years contracts pay for twelve months, though less for july/august. I was told this is because the social insurance needs to be paid for the whole year. The people I talk to wouldn't tell me this if they didn't believe it to be true.