Job Discussion Forums

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

I have the possibility of a job paying 25,000Y, before tax. The job is in Eastern China. Does anyone know how much I could expect to save on this kind of salary?

I will have to get for my own accommodation: a flat with a/c and broadband internet connection, if I do go. I like to go out about once a week, and I sometimes like to eat western food - although I love Chinese food too. I would also like to spend 2-3 weeks travelling after my contract.

I'm aware that this is a good salary for China, but I don't have a clear idea of how much I could save every month.

Thanks for any replies.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Very hard to say based on the description Eastern China. Smaller cities cost much less to live in than do the largest.

For arguments' sake and because of the salary you mentioned, I will assume you mean the Shanghai area. You could probably get housing for 5,000 or 6,000, or you could spend your entire salary and more, quite literally, on an upscale rental. But all in all, if your tastes aren't extravagant, and if by going out you mean maybe dinner and a club but nothing too lavish, then I'd say you could spend 10,000 a month overall and save the rest. After taxes, I'd say you would save 8,000 to 10,000 per month. If you lived bottom-of-the-line cheap (for a foreigner) I'd say you could live on 5,000 or 6,000 a month and save something like 12,000 or 13,000.

If it is a smaller city like, say, Wuxi, I'd say you could save more like 14,000 or 15,000.

I assume you are a certified teacher? This does not sound like standard ESL.

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

Thanks for the information Zero. The job is at Nottingham University in Ningbo. I don't have regular teaching certification, but I do have an MEd(TESOL).

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Depends on what kind of housing you require. However, the money is excellent. You wouldn't even have to be careful to save more than 1000 USD per month. I'm sorta careful and I stash a grand every month and I don't make nearly that much.

killian · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:56 am Post subject:

my base pay is 16,000 per month. they take 2,000 right off the top in taxes. so i get about 14,000 to live off of. i save 10,000 monthly easy living large a couple hours outside of dalian.

what is gonna be the tax cut on 25,000? maybe 4,000?

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

MEd + job at nottingham university in Ningbo = big win!