Job Discussion Forums

[1927]

Hi,
I'm considering relocating to the ME and have been eyeing off a few university positions in Qatar.
Several job ads state they offer a 'competitive salary' depending on qualifications and experience.
I'm curious to know what kind of salary I should be aiming for.

Credentials are:
MA App.Ling
CELTA
6 yrs exp. at university (1st year through to seniors) including 2 years teacher training at post grad level.

I'm a married male (in case that's relevant).
Many thanks in advance.

[veiledsentiments]

I'd look at QU... for your credentials, you should be looking at around QR 16,000 a month (US$4400) plus the usual employment package of free housing, tickets, medical, gratuity, tickets...

VS

[1927]

Thanks for the info on both counts

[greenpeace]

VS

Is 16,000 an up-to-date figure?
A friend of mine was hired there 3 years ago and got 16000 a month.

If so, why haven't the salaries increased?

Most of the higher ed jobs in the gulf pay more.

Thanks

GP

[veiledsentiments]

That has been the number for the last 2-3 years and I have no confirmation of any raises though there may have been. Actually there are very few employers who pay more... SQU is significantly lower... KU is lower... HCT/UAEU may be slightly more but there are significant 'issues' these days... ZU/AUS may be a bit more, but hire a minuscule number of teachers each year. ECAE pays quite a bit more, but questions there and numbers are small. So...

I exclude Saudi universities since numbers there are all over the place and I have no confirmations, but mostly lower.

And of course, depends on one's CV how much one may be able to push the number up.

VS

[bexely2000]

VS - It's been a very long time since I sought your advice. I hope that you're still keeping well!

Care to venture some salary educated guesses for - say - a secondary geography teacher in the UK or American schools who is professionally qualified and has a few years teaching experience?

Given the variables, of course, I'm just curious for your ballpark figure.

[veiledsentiments]

My knowledge is pretty much limited to university salaries because that is where I taught and my friends in the Gulf still teach at that level. Thus I am pretty useless for K-12 salaries in any of these countries unless it is a large employer and teachers have posted numbers here. (like Teachaway in the UAE)

All I can say is that each country tends to have at least one top International School doing the US curriculum and one doing the UK. These are the schools where each embassy sends their kids. A teacher with a solid degree in education and their national certification plus 5 to 10 years of good experience either back home or in other top International Schools can often get equivalent contracts to the universities. These are tough jobs to latch onto though... I know most of the US positions are filled at the big jobs fairs that they hold a couple times a year.

VS

[Citizenkane]

[millie18]

CK you have your currencies confused - the Qatari Riyal is about the same value as the Emirati Dirham - now if we were talking Omani Riyals, I'd be in line with you.

[greenpeace]

VS
I have no idea about Qatari salaries but 16000 is not at all high by Gulf standards.

Even the Omani Universities are now paying 1,550 Ryals. Plus PLus

Some Saudi Jobs are currently listed in the low 20s (although you are correct Suadi does seem to be all over the place)

All three of the major UAE universities now start at 18,500 and teachers with 10 + experience years are getting more than 20,000. It is rumoured hat both Khalifa U and Abu Dhabi U pay more than the big 3.

They have never paid less.

If you factor in the high housing allowance IAT even pays more than 16000.

Considering it is the biggest University in Qatar you would think they would pay more.

Is there anyone currently living in Qatar who could shed some light on this ?

Thanks
GP

[veiledsentiments]

I don't recall saying that it was "high by Gulf standards." I'd say it was around the middle of Gulf salaries as it has stayed through the years. Administrations are not eager to raise salaries as long as positions continue to be filled.

I am going by the offers mentioned here and that people I know have been offered. I prefer not to give people hopes of high salaries based on the few that may have managed to get something better. This is one reason we have all these newbies with limited credentials posting here who think they can swan in with a CELTA and two years of teaching in Bangkok and get $5500 a month. Those that get the top pay offers are those with MAs and 10+ years teaching around the Gulf. They tend to also have to ability to negotiate in these systems.

Right now that is little pressure on employer to raise salaries. Lots of teachers are looking because of problems at their employers in the Gulf and teachers from around the world are under pressure to find work. TESOLArabia job fair is going to be a zoo this year. I am glad that I am not looking for a job.

Thus if I err on salary estimates, I prefer to be low... not giving people possibly unrealistic expectations.

VS
(I believe that the 1500 OR number that you are giving for Oman universities is full package including all benefits... where normally we use salary only for comparison.)

[Cleopatra]

[naturegirl321]

Qatar looks like it pays better than Saudi then. Are women allowed to get dependent visas for their husbands?

[Canuck Gal]

Yes, women can get visas for their dependent husbands. My employer assisted in that process, but I am my husband's sponsor. I've been in Qatar for 3 years.

[naturegirl321]

Great! Looks like I'll be applying to Qatar as well.