Job Discussion Forums

[lilmaster213]

Hi everyone,

I've been teaching in China for a few years now, and I'm just curious about pay. I often hear stories of high salaries, but wonder where these positions exist?

What have you all been paid, and at what schools?

I ask this so I can better navigate salary when offered future positions.

Thanks!

[Non Sequitur]

There's 3 sectors:
Public unis and vocationals.
Language schools.
International schools.
Which sector are you in?

[getbehindthemule]

The pay scale varies significantly:
5k (low hour uni gig) to 30k (international school) per month and anywhere in between depending on your quals and position.
From my (and from other's) experience here, you could slog it out at a language mill in SH for 12-16k per month or teach at a public (Primary/Middle/High) school for roughly the same basic wage.
Your location, in additon to sector (as NS stated above), is also a huge factor to be considered.

[Non Sequitur]

Surprised to see 5k as a start point for public system but as in everything - think 'package' ie accom and airfare and utilities + no commute if apartment is on campus.
My first job (04) was 4.5K and I upped it to 5k by moving schools.
The declining value of the RMB v US should also be kept in mind if you have home commitments to remit for.

[getbehindthemule]

[Non Sequitur]

There was a thread recently on the least costly way of remitting home but unsure of what the conclusion was.
The remitting cost will always be a secondary factor if the RMB/US$ is moving against the remitter.

[getbehindthemule]

[Non Sequitur]

I guess 'yes' but only because the US$ is so strong. As you point out it doesn't affect Euro/RMB as much.
Thanks for the comment re the Union Pay card route.
I do now recall that being the best/cheapest way - when home ATMs accept it of course.

[astrotrain]

Yes, the Union pay debit card thing was the cheapest way I found in transferring the funds over. Just need U.P acceptance and a trusted relative to do it but was still a pain in the arse to constantly go to banks in both countries back and forth becus of the withdrawal limits etc. The one time fee in Canada was only 5 yuan but you of course had to deal with currency fluctuations.

Kinda ironic about the RMB dropping, a country that is still growing 7% with a GDP of 11-12 trillion compared to majority of Western countries that are teetering on recessions or 1% growth. Something not jiving there . . . .

My American colleague also looked into Bitcoin as another route for him to move his money back to the states, never found out if he was able to since he went to Laos. Bitcoin was too speculative for me to undertake since it is not backed by any financial institution.

[getbehindthemule]

@NS
Unfortunately Ireland doesnt accept it. I'm lucky with the Euro at the moment I guess, it must be so annoying for FTs from the USA.
@astrotrain
I did find a pretty convenient way of transferring money back home, avoiding trips to the bank. I got my gf (Chinese) to open a new account for me, in her name, about a year ago. We both went to the bank and got a tutorial on how to make an overseas online transaction.
She then gave me the card and the electronic gadget with the constantly changing password, so that I can transfer money to my Irish bank account whenever I wish. Charges are 180RMB per transaction regardless of the amount. My Irish bank also charges me twenty odd Euro. It's a little cheaper than going into the bank to do it and more importantly it saves a lot of time.
It is not a bad option if you have a Chinese partner or trusted friend who is willing to do this for you.

[RiverMystic]

[getbehindthemule]

[XiaoWren]

[Tazz]

Recent fall? The pound has been on the slide for the last 9-10 months....and it may continue!

[astrotrain]