Job Discussion Forums

[weigookin74]

Just checked exchange rates today. 12,000 Remimbi is $1959.00 (CDN) and 2,000,000 Won is $1795.00 (CDN). Don't know how much cheaper the cost of living is in Shanghai or Beijing compared to Korea. I'm in a decent situation, though it could be better. But if I were left scrambling for a new job, would I take a big pay cut and go to 2.0 or 2.1 million job or do a 12 K remimbi with overtime possible? I know which one I'd choose.

The only questions remaining are free housing, what are the deductions off of paychecks, and how much cheaper is the living cost in Beijing and Shanghai compared to SK.

(I refer to the larger institutes like Disney, Wall street, etc and I have years of experience teaching ESL.)

[choudoufu]

sounds great! if money is your sole objective.

what about quality of life?

how much time are you spending commuting to how many locations?

how many hours per week teaching, doing admin, and so on.

how's the air? the water? food safety?

......................mcd's in north dakota pays $15/hour.

[Javelin of Radiance]

Comparative cost of living is impossible on boards like this. Everyone has a different lifestyle and different jobs and those two things are what will affect your wallet far more than where you live. Besides I don't believe half the stuff people post on here anyway.

China isn't even the best paying esl destination in Asia let alone the world. But some jobs here are very good, others suck, and some are middling but offer stuff you can't get elsewhere. I'll let other posters fill in the blanks.

[MisterButtkins]

If you are really trying to rake in the dough:
(1)Why not be a computer programmer, accountant, web developer, oil-rig worker, etc.
(2)If you have to work in ESL and still rake in the dough, why not go to the Middle East or get certified and work in an international school? I think everyone knows that international schools have the best pay regardless of where you are and I've heard the Middle East has the best pay for other teachers.

[lemak]

Don't forget 2.0 or 2.1 million won in Korea is a low end salary, plus housing will be included. In China 12k RMB would generally be considered a better than average salary for ESL teachers, and often you'll be paying out for your own apartment from that (Granted outside SH, BJ or GZ the rents won't be anywhere near Korean prices).

Having been said leading a similar style lifestyle, diet etc. in China and Korea when comparing a 12kRMB China gig with a 2.0milWON Korean gig you'll have a lot more disposable income/savings left over in China once you've covered your bills and food expenses.

How much you have left in either country at the end though is up to you.


(*countdown to mod warning for discussing Korea in 10....9.....8..... )

[lemak]

I did the math....in Korea off a 2,000 buck salary I could save $1,000 per month....in China to save 1,000 and maintain my current lifestyle I'd need to be making around 9,500rmb/month (1,530 dollars) and have an apartment included in the gig. The cost of living in Korea was much higher.

Assuming you don't change your lifestyle too much when making the move as long as you're making more than 10,000rmb per month in China financially you'll be better off than you would be in the average teaching job in the ROK.

[LarssonCrew]

One thing in China is that people seem to be stuck in the idea of only working 15 hours a week.

If you get a uni gig with house for say 5000 for 16 hours a week, EVEN if you spent 10 hours a week working for say 120 an hour[low end I know but heh], you'd get another 4800 a month, that'd be 10000 for 26 hours a week, that's not alot.

The problem arises, such as a friend I have here, who got roped into working 8-11 2-6 monday-friday for 5000 a month. 'You are only in the office for 7 hours a day!' but realistically he cannot recommute home for the lunchtime break, so he's working 50 hours a week in the office for 5000 a month, criminal.

[creeper1]

Sounds like the RMB may be strong against the Canadian dollar or the Korean won is weak at the moment with threats of war.

Currencies fluctuate and I wouldn't change countries based on that.

As I have told the OP before, if money is your only concern you won't last long in China.

If you want China, I'd suggest a real interest in the language or traveling the country or something would be a prerequisite.

Other than that it's all a waste of time.

[mcloo7]

Can't doing private lessons be a big factor in this too? It seems like some teachers make alot of extra money by doing privates on the side. I'm not sure if you can do this if you work at a training center. But it seems do be doable if you have a uni or public school joh, as long as the school doesnt object.

[Asiateacher]

I don't think ESL is a "money making" career choice. If you come to China, I suggest learning the language from day 1. Then you can make a big more money when you move back home eventualy.

[avigoldberg]

[avigoldberg]

You guys also need to consider some things.

1. Things in China add up. Big time. Too many taxis, too much McDonald's and you can burn through a lot of salary. People make the mistake of thinking that they are earning in US$/ C$/ GBP and spending in CNY.

2. There are some not-too-trivial start up costs.
a. 3-6 months rental fee for an apartment (on the first day) plus a month for rental fee plus another month for deposit.
b. Initial visa costs and health exams.
c. Uncertainty. It is no secret that people in China are, um, ethically challenged. It will be no sooner that the contract is out of the printer and stamped that they will be trying to find SOME reason to not pay your airfare reimbursements. Or that that reimbursements might be a month late. Or that they might want to pretend to reimburse you for medical expenses (on a policy that they never purchased) and then dock you 3,500 yuan from your salary in order to recoup their losses.

[DirtGuy]

Lemak,

Your numbers and scenario are accurate. However, it is not very difficult to make Y10,000 per month in even the smallest of cities. You'll be working extra hours outside of your regular job but still not working very hard - certainly not 40 hours a week. If you are willing to put in the hours and be thrifty, you can save much more than this.

How many of you in the States, or anywhere else for that matter, save $1,000 per month? If saving a grand a month or more is not your of a well-paying job, what is?

DirtGuy

[Lancy Bloom]

Yes lucrative. I see the promisses are up well over 50% these days. It is kind of like how they say they are cleaning up corruption but none of the party members have to disclose their assets. The would cause Chinese to revolt and ruin the harmony of the country.

[doogsville]