Job Discussion Forums

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

I'm attempting to make the big move to Yunnan from Guangzhou next term, and I prefer working in public higher education. I've seen a lot of offers in the 4500 a month range, but wonder if that's really true.

Currently I make 7500 a month at a public vocational college in GZ, and I might be able to opt out for another term here. I don't spend much money here either, as I spend most of my time when not doing job related stuff studying for the HSK in order to get into grad school at Y.U.N. It might be worth it to stay here and save the extra dough, but I'm also anxious to make the move. I'd go at the drop of a hat for 6500.

I once found a comparison chart on the net for English Teachers' (higher ed) salaries by city but didn't bookmark it. Don't know how accurate it was either, but I'd be interested in finding it again. Any answers would be appreciated. I'm not interested in private schools though I know they pay more. I prefer a solid contract with lower pay and more free hours.

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

Really need to know what else is in the package.
What's the comparison on accom, airfare, access to dining halls? A not so favoured location may pay more while a favoured location such as Qingdao will pay less.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

Well, I would expect accommodation but other than that not particular. I'm in GZ so I guess it would cost about $1500 to move to Kunming- that's OK. If I have to leave the country to renew my Z visa, I'd expect airfare. I'd expect about $1000 or $1500 airfare anyway since it's standard.

I am going to Kunming because I'll be enrolling in the Yunnan University of Nationalities next year so that shall be my locale.

Yunnan is odd. Demand is high, but funds are low. Parts of Yunnan attract tons of foreigners, while other parts attract almost none. I travelled for three weeks in August in West Yunnan and didn't see a single other foreigner. Yet the both the landscape and the people were lovely.

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

Have a friend at a training centre there and salaries are lower than other places in China .. on a par with Yangshuo salaries perhaps. Desirable places, lower salaries. I also think to study there is a fraction of the cost of studying in a city too, giving rise to lower salaries.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

If you're interested in knowing the salary spread withing all classes of schools, check out abroadchina.org. I don't endorse it as a tool for finding a job, just a method of comparing wages in almost all provinces. It lists a couple thousand jobs of all kinds.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

Wow- really low. However, I see that Guangdong is also about 2000 lower than the offers I was getting two years ago so maybe the discrepancy is similar. Plus, this list is an average for all teachers, not just public education college teachers (but they run low anyway). And also if perhaps you average in countryside and urban wages you see a deflation.

I wonder about the stats for Chinese residents!

Oh well, I'll just have to make inquires and see what happens. Thanks for the link.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

yunnan universities typically offer around 3500/month with housing.
a masters gets you an additional 100/month.
if you're being offered 4500 you're doing well.

moving should be very cheap, assuming you own as much as the average
itinerant foreign teacher. mail most of your stuff, take the train.

no need to 'renew your z-visa,' just don't let your RP lapse. your z-visa
has already been cancelled (when the RP was issued). yunnan does not
permit HK runs.

not sure about switching to x-visa to study. that may require a trip abroad.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

Well darn Chodofu. Who can work at that rate? You wouldn't save a dime. Then again, the English mills appear to be paying 8000 or more.

May I ask where you got that figure from? It's what I've been hearing too but I'm having trouble believing it. But if it's true it's true.

As for school, I was hoping to stay on a z-visa and work out my schedule between Y.U.N. and my school. However, I have heard that the x-visa you mentioned allows you now to work part-time. That would be perfect.

Thanks for the visa info. I didn't know about RP clause. A word to the wise. I'll find out more about colleges and uni's in Kunming. But it looks more like I'll probably stay rich here another term if I can't find a decent salary. If they let me that is...

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Don't let anyone cancel your RP. It DOES happen, especially if someone has it out for someone for moving on.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

It sounds like it could happen out of ignorance as well. My FAO is green in the horns- I'm the first foreign teacher here.

Now, does the RP cancel automatically once it goes beyond one year past issue date? It's confusing to that the permit to reside in China- at a specific address nonetheless, would have anything to do with your visa (which Chodufu tells us is cancelled when we get our RP. But the visa in Passport seems to be perfectly valid, with an expiration date beyond that of RP.

Very confusing.

muffintop · Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

how many years ya been in china, bro?