Job Discussion Forums

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

Hey all, I am considering a position at a university teaching about 15 hours a week for 4700RMB a month. A furnished apartment is included. Think this sounds about right? Looks good to me but what do I know Rolling Eyes

Totemic · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 118 Location: Nanjing

I did a similar gig last year, it was slightly less hours, but the pay was 6,000 RMB.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Just wanted to say your title to this thread is a little misleading. You may want to change it to 4700 RMB. Or convert it to the approximate dollar amount of around $575.00 (Edit: Thanks to a sharp reader and my too-fast and erroneous mental calculation, the actual amount as of May 1st is $688.644)

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

sui jin · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: near the yangtze

Where is the university?
In Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing etc this would be a poor salary, although I know some of the prestige unis in Beijing probably pay this little. Living on 4700 in Shanghai would be very difficult IMO.

In some remote provinces like Gansu or Ningxia it might be good.

As a reference point, one of my graduating students has just landed a job teaching English in a flash kindergarten in Suzhou, in Jiangsu Province. Her salary will be about 6,000 a month. Admittedly her job is not typical for new grads.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Okay, then change it to ". . . . Close to $700 (and check the currency converter website if you don't believe me!)" Laughing

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

kungfucowboy83 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479

is that their first offer or what you have negotiated up to? also what city?

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

As was mentioned, the location matters a lot.

What is the whole package. Don't just go by monthly salary (did you know that 4,700 is far more than a local Chinese would make? blah blah blah). Multiply the salary by the number of months that they have promised to pay it (probably ten but some places may pay 12). Then add the value of return airfare: do they promise to reimburse in full? I've seen a lot of offers recently where they have capped the return airfare to much lower than I need. There should also be approx 2200 RMB in vacation travel money if this is a public university. Subtract whatever they charge for electricity, gas, internet, phone etc, if anything. Some provide for free or free up to a limit.

Then you have to consider the location as was mentioned, and your own needs or interests. If you like to drink and you are in Shanghai, that salary is gone quickly. If you are in a small city with not much fun to do for a westerner you won't be tempted as much to spend money. Is it convenient and cheap to travel from where you will be working? Take those kinds of things into consideration.

The short answer is that 4700 isn't a great salary but you may even be able to save a bit if you don't spend a lot. You may have opportunities to supplement with privates if it turns out to be insufficient. Good luck.

Boofalonius · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 5

Well can you be happy with 4700 RMB per month?
I think you could certainly live off that. It is not as high as others MAY get, but certainly within range.

I would say that if you did not take it someone else would so you might as well go for it and find a better job your 2nd year or semester. That's how it usually works.

drjtrekker · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 251

If it's in Ya'an, you'll be rich!