Job Discussion Forums

Shadow2009 · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 27 Location: W.A.

Having left Indonesia almost 2 years ago I have itchy feet and I am considering coming back. What is a rough average salary these days EF and any other comparable school. My last gig was UPI and I was on 14 Juta

Madame J · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:36 am Post subject:

The average salary for EF can vary widely, but I don't believe it's ever much above 8 mil. Were you on 14 in Jakarta or outside?

Shadow2009 · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 27 Location: W.A.

Inside - Tanjung Duren, a short walk to Taman Anggrek Mall

ashanmari · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

I am interested in knowing what calls you back to Indonesia?
I am about to start my first contract there, and whilst the salary is not much of an enticement this tells me the way of life there must be Very Happy

Madame J · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:58 am Post subject:

Ah, well I'm living outside Jakarta so can't really give you any realistic comparisons, but I do know that EF Jakarta still pays considerably less than your previous position.

Ashanmari, I am half considering staying a second year in Indonesia for one reason: Good old Indonesian hospitality. There are a million and one things about living here that drive me round the bend and back, but the warmth of people here more than compensates. I've never experienced anything like it elsewhere.

Shadow2009 · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 27 Location: W.A.

Touche Madame J

Hard to explain but there is something about Indonesia that gets under the skin and stays there !

I also miss being "someone" and not "no-one" as it is here

Better friends too

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

I believe EF in Jakarta is a shade under 10mill on average. K-12 schools (Nat Plus and similar) anything from 12Mill to 25Mill depending on school and teacher's experience.

I've been back in the UK on sick leave for some weeks and miss life in Indo like I've never missed anywhere before: not least the hospitality, the climate and, as someone else said, not being quite the nobody that I am here. I quite like being able to stride into a posh hotel without getting sniffy superior looks from security, for example.

ashanmari · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

If Indo is anything like Thailand, it gets into your blood and you can't leave it! Very excited to experience it, thanks for sharing your positive experiences. Hope you all go back someday!

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Hi Shadow, I appreciate why you like Indonesia as there are some things I also miss. You may think differently though if you ever have kids. Things like quality playgroups and kinders, parks and playgrounds seemingly everywhere and the mere fact that they are part of who we are and not just spoilt brats raised by nannies are things that money (and hospitality) just can't buy. Also don't forget, politically, Indonesia has historically been quite volatile and islamic groups are getting more powerful as we speak. While things may be great now they may not always stay that way and we, as bules, have no rights or say on how things go there.

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

lipsonto · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks for all the info. I am wondering about the average salaries too because I received a job offer with English First in East Java and they said the base salary is 6,750,000 Rupiah per month. Surely it can't be this low......I mean that's not even �500 per month.......

Madame J · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:01 am Post subject:

Where in East Java is it? Here in Surabaya the base rate is 8 mil. Whilst that's not the best salary a native speaker can find around here, it still allows for a decent standard of life. Especially as housing is provided on yop-though it may not be with the branch you've applied for.

You've got to stop thinking in Western terms-for the most part, the cost of living is a hell of a lot cheaper here. The only thing that costs the equivalent to UK prices (if not more) is imported food. I used to find that quite costly, however these days the only imported foods I tend to buy are the odd packet of biscuits. Like most EF teachers here, I've given up cooking at home due to the kitchens in most EF houses simply being so disgusting. Rolling Eyes

lipsonto · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks Madame J. I understand that the cost of living is a lot cheaper, converting to English pound is just a habit I have. I thought that the lowest salary English First payed was 8 million like what you're getting not 6,750,000 The place is Malang..is it an average salary for this place or just a rip off?

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339