Job Discussion Forums

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Many of us seem to b*tch and moan about the low salaries offered in China, yet obviously someone is taking those low paying jobs or else they wouldn't exist. Now, I'm not so bold as to ask people to actually reveal their salary (esp. if they are earning in that 4000ish bracket), but it would be interesting to find out the "average" salary amongst Dave's posters. Remember, voting in a poll is anonymous and you can choose to leave a comment only if you wish to. By the way, this is for your MAIN job, not your tutoring or moonlighting gigs elsewhere - - that's a whole different poll. Maybe tomorrow.

Super Mario · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:04 am Post subject:

My vote's out of date. Its what I was earning 2 years ago before coming home.
Mind you, salaries tend to be higher in SH, and I was doing an extra class.
However, it was with the same school, so I've included it.

DistantRelative · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 367 Location: Shaanxi/Xian

The Poll certainly isn't something one would consider scientific. I'm one of those in "4000" ish range (4500). For where I'm living (Xi'an) with the exception of a few of the Private schools it's the prevailing wage for the area. I would never accept this kind of salary in some of the higher priced cities. But here I'm able to squirrel 2000 a month away and still live comfortably. I also didn't include my apartment which runs the school another 1000 a month. OK?

Zhuhao

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I never said it was to be scientific nor is there any reason to be defensive about how much you earn. Remember, comments are optional, but if we get a lot of people responding to the polls, we just may get a better sense of what's happening salary-wise in China

(And, yes, I know that there is a certain amount we can all add for freebies such as apartment, utilities, meals, etc. But the logistics of such a poll would be a little more daunting, that's why I'm asking for just the bare-bones salary.)

Finally, if this poll rubs you the wrong way (hmmmm, that sounded weird) and you don't want to particapte . . . don't!

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Chinese have two salaries . The disclosed salary and the hidden salary .
The important one is the hidden salary.

stil · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 259 Location: Hunan

There are many other things to consider too though. Especially the number of hours/classes per month. Holiday pay, bonuses, flight money, quality of housing, cost of living in that particular city etc all come into it.

prof · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 741 Location: Boston/China

It's also important to consider housing.

If you live in a big city, then rent can be very expensive for a comfortable and safe place.

I've read posts here from people in Shanghai saying they are comfortable in their cheap apartments, but they almost always change their opinions after 6 months when the honeymoon period is over and the reality of constant construction, intrusive (and at times violent) neighbours, roaches, room-mates from hell, gas leaks and traffic issues hit home.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I make in the 4000 range, and I don't have a problem with it.

mandu · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 794 Location: china

I earn 11,500 a month next year i will get 12000

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

This was a simple poll for the base salary of forum users' salaries. Why is it most people have to start going on about their location and accomodation and all those extra perks that come with a job? All we want to know is what salary is on your contract and that you agreed to work for?

I am in the 6000 range. If anybody wants to get particular about it, I should also note that I teach 5 hours a week and prepare for any number of hours from 5 to 30, depending on how lazy I want to be.

WordUp · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

15 Periods in Shanghai at 4,000 is not the same as 15 periods at 4,000 in the village.. This poll is useless..

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Useless maybe, but jobs are being offered in the major cities for around 4000 and people are accepting them. Is it because it is just too easy to find and accept a job at that salary? My guess would be yes since those kinds of jobs are EVERYWHERE on the interenet sites. Several pollsters have said they earn more than 15000. You don't see THOSE jobs advertised quite so frequently, do you?

Interesting for me to see some of the numbers we've garnered so far.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Why on earth would anyone find it necessary or even advisable to criticise this poll?

This is cyberspace.

This is just for fun.

This is never scientific.

What is the matter with some people?