Job Discussion Forums

mikeeslchina · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 4

Hi

I realise this depends on the number of hours taught, but can anyone give me some indication of a reasonable minimum salary expectation for a university post in Chengdu (if accommodation is already included)?

Also how much can you expect to spend on accommodation monthly for a furnished apartment there? How does the cost of living compare to other cities? Any help with costs in that city would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Michael

Kiwi303 · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:13 pm Post subject:

The search function on here sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, so as you're a 1st time poster I'll be generous and suspect you used it but it didn't search for you.

From past posts on here that would show up if the search was working, you'd be looking at an initial offer of:

a scantily furnished apartment provided,

around 200 RMB of utilities paid by the uni, any extra to be covered by you (so don't leave the heater running while you're on that fortnights trip somewhere during the holidays!),

meals at the school canteen at same rate as local teachers,

4000-5500 RMB a month, less tax if applicable,

about 6000 to 8000 RMB airfare allowance paid at the satisfactory completion of the contract, (may be split as 3-4K at 6 months and remainder at completion)

maybe a 2000 travel bonus over the tween-semester holidays.

It's up to you whether to accept their first offer or to haggle like a chinaman and negotiate their offer upwards.

I know one guy from the US married to a chinese woman on another forum, standard BA, online TEFL course, no MA or B.Ed. His wife went in and screamed at the headmaster and generally carried on like a chinese citizen during a negotiation session while negotiating his contract renewal for the next year... He's now on 9000 RMB a month, 9 hours class a week et al. Mind you, he's up near Dalian somewhere rather than Chendu, but the principle is the same.

How well do you negotiate?

(Disclaimer, I haven't yet been to China, due to go for Sept 2011 term start, above info is from reading past posts)

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

mikeeslchina · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 4

Thanks for that - I haven't found much info on Chengdu with the search function yet.

The reason I'm asking specifically about Chengdu is because I've seen a lot of variation between job offers (even for uni jobs) depending on the location. I'm trying to get a sense of how expensive it is compared to other Chinese cities before I commit to a question about my expected salary from a specific place there. With an MA, CELTA and teaching experience I'm hoping I'm in a good position to negotiate.

Cheers

Michael

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

I think Kiwi303 is pretty much on target with 7969 a bit on the luxurious side from my exp over 3 unis - but NWIYCGI.
However, the airfare is a bit low and should be around RMB10,000.
Class contact hours should less than 20pw.
The best search is a question 'can I talk to one of your current teachers?'