Job Discussion Forums

chi-chi · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 127 Location: Back in Asia!

I am currently in Korea, exhausted, and working for the equivalent of U.S. $8 an hour (factoring in total working time on site.)
What does your hourly wage break down to in Japan, including total working time on site?
I am logging 50+ hours a week in Korea, tried Taiwan during SARS, and am looking for something a bit more decent, so I was just wondering.
Chi-Chi

markosonlines · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Ise

Chi-Chi,

For the equivalent of a hagwon job, or eikawa, it's about Y250,000, roughly 2.5 million won, or about US$2000 a month. University and many high school teaching (not alt's) pays more but you'd need lots of experience and relevent qualifications, not just an Arts degree and a TESOL cert etc. but ie. an education masters. Alt's and jets get about the same as eikawa teachers, sometimes a bit more. Japan is more expensive than Korea, especially in the cities, but you can still save up to a third of your Y250,000 monthly pay without starving, although you might die of boredom.

Per hour that's about US$13. I do 35-40 hours a week. Sounds like you're on a tough contract over there.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

250,000 yen/month is the standard eikaiwa pay. You may get 280,000 or in lucky situations 300,000.

That salary is usually for 25 hours of classroom contact time, plus whatever the school wants you to do. Sometimes it's nothing; other times it's fairly busy with student interviews, paperwork recording, and lesson planning. Sometimes you are not even permitted to leave the building except for meals!

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

Hourly wage is between 1700 and 2500 yen for full time work, higher for part time work.

kamome · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Hokkaido

I teach privately and I average about 3800 yen an hour ( about $32 ) for about a 20-25 hour week. At the Engrish factolies like NOVA the hourly salary is about 1700 yen ( about $14 ) but of course there are more hours and you are guaranteed a set monthly salary ( and they sponsor your visa ). Overime ( at a slightly higher hourly rate ) may be available too.

Like others have said you'd get around 250-300,000 yen a month ( so at least $2000 ) for a bog-standard eikawa job.