Job Discussion Forums

[Oki]

Hi guys. I'm quite sure it has been asked already but what is a good salary to start with in Guangzhou.

I've been looking on sites like www.chinatefl.com and I saw that universities pay around 3500 RMB. Is this reasonable? Sounds a little low to me, but I'm not really experienced.

I heard some things in Guangzhou might be quite expensive due to its proximity to HK.
How much will I need?

Oki

[Oki]

what I mean to say in the first line was: I'm sure it has been posted before, but I couldn't find it.

[osmanhoca]

Well, it depends on your life style. But, to tell the truth, you shouldn't accept anything below 6000 RMB. There are lots of schools in Guangzhou. Some pay up to 20000 RMB. That is, 100 hours a month, one hour: 200 RMB.

I know a few people getting over 20000 RMB.
I would suggest you try not to get below 6000 RMB. Life can be pretty expensive in GZ , that is, of course, if you want a decent life ( food?).

Take Care

[Oki]

Thanks Osmanhoca. I thougt I was in a pretty good position with 5k cause Uni's only pay like 3500 from what I saw.
So what is the cost of food and other bare necessities? .....Well, actually I only really need food.....and maybe public transport.
I also definitely need some martial arts training. How much would the costs for that be? Does anybody know?

Oki

[Roger]

Universities and colleges these days have government funds to lure expats on higher pay. 3500 definitely is too low. 6000 is acceptable but not top.
However, I am finding to my distress that promises in adverts are promises and no more. So long as you have no work visa they can always short-change you, claiming you are a parttimer who stands to get 100 an hour, which is the same as that you would be paid if they gave you a work visa, in which case they would have to fork out a lot more for your benefits and perks.
It's also true that some pay 150 an hour, others 200. These jobs, however, are extremely unstable!

Living costs:
Guangzhou is NOT that expensive! Certainly not as expensive as Shenzhen or Shanghai! Transportation is a case in point - you can travel almost anywhere in downtown Guangzhou for one to two kuais in aircon buses; from downtown to Panyu is a bit more onerous at 8 kuai (up to 20 kms, depending on the two points of departure/arrival).
Food is as cheap as anywhere in China; housing is a matter of availability - if you have to fend for yourself, then, I am sorry, it is going to cost a substantial amount. Still, you can rent accom for less than RMB 1000 in fairly clean and modern premises.
Western imports can be bought in the friendship store (fifth floor), and in the Garden Hotel delicatessen corner, or in the Park'N Shop in Zhongshan Lu. Not much more costly than in HK!
Ever more places serve percolated coffee at 8 to ten kuai a shot! STARBUCKS has Starbucks' prices.

[WinstonSmith2003hk]

[chinasyndrome]

Anthony? Okay, Winston, why are you always going on about money? So you earn HK dollars, the value of which is quite close to the mainland's reminbi. Okay, in HK you allegedly earn more than on the mainland, although all we have is your word on that. If you were earning 60 or 70 thousand $US you might have something to crow about, but you aren't, so you don't. There are many, many places in the world where your salary would be seen as insignificant, laughable, and worthy of a person with your abilities. Why aren't you in one of these countries earning a sizeable amount? For someone who appears somewhat fixated on matters financial, you're hardly in a position to claim financial superiority.

[Sun Yuan]

Chinasn.ff.um,
You are not stalking that man Winston are you. You devil. You chase all kinds. Your just a little di.k, sorry that is detective. You go girl. From one queen to another get that man!
Sun Yuan
The Queen, speaking to the Princess, of Gay Ol' China

[gerard]

Besides the 8 kuai coffee might be as good as Starbucks. And without the phony "jazzy French cafe" atmosphere.

Oki = How much is enough?? is impossible to answer in any city or town here. You will be working Monday to Friday so you wont need to spend like a tourist. I eat at hte school and generally behave during the week and spend very little. My co-workers get a taxi downtown for western food every night and that adds up. On the weekend I spend more and holidays I spend a lot/ I have never been to Canton area though. Just trying to help. By the way the advertised salary doesn't mean much-you have to look at the schedule and your total workload.

[gerard]

Isn't Winston Smith the character frome the novel 1984??? Hmmm What does it all mean???