Job Discussion Forums

[teacherman73]

Just had a look at some uni jobs in Saudi. One is offering $3200/month for a BA and a whopping $200/month more for a MA TESOL. At that rate, it would take me 10 years to pay off my MA TESOL with the salary difference.

So my question is: What's up with the pittance more for an MA or even a PhD in most uni jobs around the world? Don't they know how much a legitimate grad degree costs??

I welcome answers/explanations/comments.

[RustyShackleford]

In my old job in the Kingdom, I worked with a couple PhDs (in a unrelated subject, natch) and/or DELTAs who made the exact same salary I did. I (related MA holder) made the exact same my colleagues with the BA+TEFL combo did.

[sicklyman]

and in any case, once you arrive, you might find yourself in the situation where although you qualify for a higher pay grade, they won't give it to you because there are others (who don't qualify and never will) who have seniority and should be moved up first thus leaving you stuck in limbo.

[nomad soul]

[danshengou]

You're looking in the wrong industry my friend. An MA TESOL is notoriously one of THE worst paying grad degrees one can get. On the other hand, there are plenty of master's degrees that usually result in much higher earning increases (MBA, STEM-related, etc). That said, getting a humanities Ph.D. can open more doors and generally offers improved working conditions (e.g., fewer contact hours, private office, etc.), and on average 10-20% more pay than a master's as well. Thus, even in low-paying fields like TESOL, one can make improvements, but graduate studies in the humanities is usually for the sake of the subject rather than money. So set your priorities and make moves accordingly.

[psychedelicacy]

I've worked for two contractors in Saudi (at the time, no master's). I will start a direct hire position in September (I have an unrelated MSc, but the university required a master's in any subject). The difference in salary, in my circumstances, is about +35%.

[bigdurian]

At university level it may make a difference.

Where I am(military setup), it makes no difference whatsoever. Everyone starts on exactly the same.

The only thing determining higher salaries is your length of service and all the yearly increments.

Golden handcuffs. For people who've put a few years in, it gets to the point that there is very little point going elsewhere, because there are very few jobs out there that will pay more.

That's when they've got you.....destroyed by your own greed.......

Still, could be worse.

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

[plumpy nut]

And woe to you if your MA/MS includes any online courses, "Online courses do not meet our standards." "No, we will not accept even one" . Off to the camels with you. Be gone. A change is a coming soon.

[teacherman73]

Thank you all for the replies. I was hoping for some good replies/advice and was not disappointed.