Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

I am applying for a teaching job in China, starting in September, and was wondering why the salaries (on average) in China, are so much lower compared with Taiwan, where I worked in 2005-2006. In Taiwan, at that time, jobs could be had easily for around $2000 per month or more - with the same qualifications. In China, your average job, in an average city pays around 5000-8000 rmb (($800-$1200 u.s. dollars). Why such a difference, when China is rising faster (compared with Taiwan, which has stagnated) in economic power?

In China, there are so many jobs in universities, in lower tier cities, paying around 4000-6000 rmb ($640 - $960) per month, which is not much different to the situation many years ago. This brings up the question why people go to China, for such low (relatively) salaries. I am committed, so have no axe to grind with my particular university, and for me, in particular, time is money, in the sense that the place I will be teaching in has substantial 'off time' (vacations) which is a very good compensation, for me. Time is money - is the idea that if you have a lot of time off (and provided you do not need a large budget) then the time off compensates for the relative low salary.

In places like Thailand, or many places in Latin America, people accept 'relative' low salaries (i.e. not more than $1500/month) because they like the advantages of living in those places. Can one say the same about China?

In addition, from my perspective, the teaching hours are relatively low (12-16 hours a week) compared with other countries, where more time is demanded. In Korea, for example, I was required to be on site for 8 hours a day, of which just 3 were teaching hours.

One big plus for some people is the possibility to improve their Mandarin or Cantonese speaking skills (as well as writing characters for those with a lot of determination).

Are there other compensations to living in China which compensate for the relative low salaries?

Thank you.

Ghost in Saudi

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

scratchpiece27 · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 44

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Before leaving Saudi Arabia (where I am on $4000 basic, before overtime, including accommodation, for 20 contact hours a week) I mused that I would never accept a job at lower than $2000 a month, but I am now accepting a job at around $1200 a month, so the question is - can one accept part time gigs and weekend gigs in China without incurring the wrath of the authorities?

In Saudi, this is very strictly enforced, and if anyone breaks this rule, they risk deportation and/or worse.

What about China, do many people supplement their earnings on the side. You mention $50 dollars an hour in China.....I doubt many people can afford to pay that, especially in more provincial cities. I would be satisifed with $20 an hour (125 rmb) , and even that is a high price to pay, I would think (based on average per capita income) for most Chinese. What do Chinese see the benefit in paying so much, other than for a very skilled course (and instructor!) teaching a highly specialized course like TOEFL or IELTS?

Ghost in Saudi

The_Big_White_Elephant · Joined: 12 Mar 2014 Posts: 56

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Yeah. It was a university (I say 'was' as I returned to the UK so don't work there anymore). It's unusual for a university.

16 weeks in a semester - exams included (2 exams per semester - so really only 14 weeks of teaching). That makes 32 working weeks per year, meaning 20 weeks of holiday. 4 weeks in a month = 5 months. In the first year I only got 10 months' salary, when I re-signed for another year it was a 12 month contract.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

Hey ghost,
Why leave Saudi?

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Savings in Saudi can be massive, as most jobs pay $4000 - $5000 per month (some places pay $8000 per month), but staying here for a long time makes it difficult to leave and explore other opportunities. Money is not everything - there are other compensations.

China is an intriguing place, and I have accepted to come to a job here. Although I will face a 70% pay cut, I hope other factors in China will compensate for that.

The location of my future university is also good, as it is not far from Hong Kong (a few hours by transport) and Hong Kong, I think, is an excellent transport place with many travel possibilities in Asia and elsewhere at reasonable prices.

Thank you.

Ghost in Saudi

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

AEON2007 · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

Jobs in big cities, where the cost of living is a little higher, should pay a lot more than 10,000 rmb.

Starting salary at my school is 16k with 1k bonus... You can either party hard or save well with that. .. You do need 2 years experience and a teaching qualification so it's not exactly am entry level job I guess. But it's a national company and based all over China~ teaching adults only is a big advantage for me!

They're hiring now too~ PM me if you want details. ..