Job Discussion Forums

MStaskal · Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 7

I am thinking about moving to Dalian, I was wondering what type of salary I could generally expect to be paid, and how expensive living in the city is. I have one year of experience. Thanks.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

You need 10k+ a month to safely save any savings. But if you are good at not wasting money (live like Chinese, eating rice and veggies, take the bus, etc.) 6000k+ would suffice.

People who claim 6k is a 'kings ransom' in China are fooling only themselves. Dalian is a modern city with a rapid rail system, but also commands modern prices. Don't expect to find 4 yuan noodle shops everywhere.

Again, it's relative to your lifestyle.

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I was offered a job in Dalian a few weeks ago for 10,000 RMB a month, but I declined it. Not enough.

Old Surrender · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:02 am Post subject:

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

xiao51 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 208

I am not going to wage in any of GWOW's assertions about salary.

That being said, salaries in Dalian, speaking from experience, tend to be on the lower end of salaries nationwide, at least for ESL teachers. Dalian is a very, good stable job market and it is also a city that is very much sought after by a good number of expat ESL teachers. In the end, however, there is an oversupply of FT's in Dalian in terms of supply vs. demand. This has tended to keep wages down and salaries a the unis in Dalian still, in some cases, can average around RMB 3,500. It's a pleasant city, with a lot of things going for it, particularly in the spring-through-early autumn months. The winter, like all winters in the Dong Bei, can be brutally cold but at least things are centrally heated (from the end of November on).

Everything depends upon lifestyle to paraphrase 7979 a bit. Dalian is decidedly NOT cheap for a Dong Bei city -- if you want buying power in terms of your salary, then you may wish to opt for either Shenyang or Harbin. If you want a totally amenable and pleasant lifestyle and are willing to not to go out every night, then Dalian would be a great choice. For me, personally, it's not a sit-at-home kind of city. There are just too many interesting little things to do and to see and too many decent little restaurants.

Dalian is also the China-base for good number of Japanese and German corporations so that you will find a good number of Japanese and German expats in the city.