Job Discussion Forums

joelio · Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Monterrey

To all working in Mexico City, I'm being offered a position as a middle school English teacher (30 hr week) at a colegio in Tlalnepantla. They asked me how much I would like to earn. Obviously I would like to earn a good deal more than they are probably willing or able to pay, any suggestions on how much I should ask for? I don't know what the going wage for this kind of work is...I've been doing business English in Monterrey for the last 3 years. Thanks for your help.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Is this a top notch school? For being in Tlalnepantla (add 2 k to your salary just for having to pronounce it), I imagine it could be anything from a tiny place to a mid-sized colegio.

AjarnErnes · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Mexico City, Mexico

I am living in that area of DF and work at Tec. de Monterrey. Guy is correct in needing more info. What degree / qualification do you have? I have an MA in Counseling, a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Education, a TEFL Certificate and had 3 years teaching experience while living in Thailand before I got hired here. I won't say openly on the board how much I make, you can PM me and I'll tell you. PM me and I'll send you my cell phone number and we can chat about the offer if you want.

- Ernest

joelio · Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Monterrey

Thanks Guy, the name of the school is the Thomas Jefferson Institute, I think it's pretty nice as far as these kinds of schools go. My qualifications are pretty typical, BA, TEFL certificate, several years teaching experience. I've worked with jr highers as a sub teacher back in the states, also as a volunteer for a couple of years in Mty. so I have expereience but mostly outside of the typical classroom setting. I was thinking close to 100 pesos an hour, or between 10 and 12 thousand a month would be reasonable (for Mexico) especially considering that it is a school that caters the the upper middle class and above. Do you think that's too high? I don't know what kind of perks they offer. I'll have to ask them about that.
thanks again for your feedback.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject:

I live in the Tlanepantla area. This area varies widely as far as the schools and socio/economic background of the residents. Tlane (for short) is run by the PAN. It has some nice residential areas, some so-so areas, and some industrial areas. As for the schools, they run the gamut from small, underpaid private schools to medium sized, decently paid schools to very fresa, expensive schools. Generally speaking, Tlane tends to be a little bit more upper class then many areas of Mexico City. I did an interview in a primaria in Tlane and they only offered $4,500 pesos per month. No thanks. I also went to a prepa and they offered me $8,500 pesos per month or about $90 pesos per hour. Which is a much more desirable range of pay.

I think that you should realistically state your wage expectations to the school and see what happens. If its a upper class school then you should get no less then $10,000 pesos per month if not a bit more, closer to the $12,000 pesos per month range. Aim high and if they balk or get wishy-washy, then you can come down on your salary requirement or tell them you have to think about it.

As a middle school English and geography teacher at a upper class school near Santa Fe, I made $10.800 per month for working 3 days per week.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

I don't work in Mexico City, nor have I ever.

But there is an ad on TEFL.com right now for an elementary and kindergarden that is paying up to 20,000 pesos a month. You might want to have a look, print it out and use it in your negociation. I don't remember off the top of my head what the lower range of their pay is, it depended on experience and qualifications. But I think you should shoot higher than what Guy is quoting (sorry Guy!)

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

I teach elementary at a private school in Pedregal. Salary isn't fabulous but I make enough plus the school provides a furnished depto for me and the dog. The price of the depto alone shoots up my salary and..if they werne't paying for it and I got the difference in cash, I'd be behind, rather than ahead. I could never afford this place, esp when I would have to then go ahead and furnish it on my own.

I find that unless the school has seriously troubled kids that you will have to work with, or has a very high rep and looks for teachers with the same and experience, a high salary isn't that easy to come by...at least not in the 20,000+ range.

See what all their offer includes and then go from there. Also make sure you're aware of their expectations for you...hours and class work and what not before finalizing anything...or even throwing out a number.

Best of luck!