Job Discussion Forums

[rayman]

G'day all,

There seems to be a lot of questions regarding salaries and cost of living in Indonesia.

So I've decided to compile a rough guide to teaching (ESL mostly).

This guide is for Jakarta only. Everyone else with experience, feel free to add comments to mine or provide your analysis of other Indonesian cities.

Rayman....



Monthly Salary Vs Minimum Requirements

Rp6-9 million (Language schools)

- aged between 16-70
- caucasian or mixed caucasion (others appearances sometimes accepted)
- mediocre English ability
- no degree or certificate required
- no experience required


Rp9-12 million (Langaue schools)

- aged 18-65
- Degree preferred, but not essential
- CELTA or equivalent certificate preferred
- 1 or more years experience

Rp13-22 million (Language schools e.g. TBI, most National
Plus and some International schools)

- BA degree
- Celta
- 2 or 3 years experience
- professional

Rp22 - 40 million (a few National Plus and most International schools)

- BA Education or BA + PGCE
- 2 - 15 years experience (preferrably some experience in your home country)
- knowledge of taught curriculum preferred, but not essential
- professional

Salary Vs Living Standards

Rp6-9 million

- watching the pennies
- able to cater for basic living standard with only occassional perks
- singles only
- no savings

Rp9-12 million

- more comfortable living
- unable to afford major luxuries e.g. car, overseas holidays etc.
- singles only
- little savings

Rp13-22 million

- very comfortable lifestyle
- able to rent a decent apartment in downtown Jakarta
- able to afford a car and regular holidays
- some reasonable savings possible at higher end of the range
- able to support a family, but with some constraint to budget

Rp23 - 40 million

- very comfortable lifestyle with few restrictions
- able to afford multiple overseas holidays a year
- able to rent a nice apartment
- able to afford a car and driver
- able to save around 50% of salary at higher end of the range with some
budgeting
- able to comfortably support a family and still save money

[Mila]

I've been having trouble getting a decent offer in Indonesia. Now that you posted that scale, I realize that I was right not to accept them.

I hold a B.A and TEFL but no experience. I'm told I can get more than $800 that EF has offered but no proof. I'm also black and I noticed you listed caucasian as an asset on your scale.

Should I expect less pay? Should I just take the EF jobs? Give up on Indonesia and go elsewhere?

[rayman]

Hi Mila,

I'm not sure if you're already in Indonesia, but for the language school positions, you're best chance of finding a better position than EF is if you apply in-country.

Unfortunately, Indonesian businesses (and people in general) can be very discriminatory when it comes to race. I'm afraid to say, a black person would find it much more difficult getting a position at a language school. This reflects more on the customers than the management, who generally prefer a white face. Sad, but true. The good news is, the better schools are usually less discriminatory.

If you're set on Indonesia, come over and have a look.

Good luck

[Pale]

Very informative post rayman. A good guide to keep on hand

[megloulou]

Does being a single female affect either the ability to get a position or your pay scale?

[malu]

[tanyakenapa]

Im female... Australian, but got married 3 months ago in Jakarta.

They are only two female teachers at my school and they'd love another one I'm sure.

However, I myself lovvvveee teaching the younger children.. say 6 to 12 year olds. But thats only because I love kids. No other teacher really "volunteers" to take the younger kids classes except for me. In a way I know thats how I'll keep my job for the time being as I take the "kids" as left overs so to speak

Back in Australia I worked in the childcare industry so I actually love my job.

Every month I save about 2 or 3 million at least, but thats also because I dont go out every weekend and get pissed like a lot of the other teachers that I work with, but I have to hear them complain for the rest of the month that they have no cash whatsoever.

I still get to take holidays, short trips out of town or to either Singapore, Bali or Yogjakarta regularly. We go out for meal at least once a week, and see a movie every now and then. My life is pretty comfy here. No complaints.

[keitepai]

Hello,
I am looking out for my next teaching contract and reading your post it sounds quite good. Close to home and opportunity to travel further.....
Are you at an international school? Which curriculum do they use?

I am a NZ trained teacher with a BEd specialising in Early Childhood, I also worked in Australia in childcare centres and I prefer the younger kids too 4-6 years.

Also when does the school year start there? My contract in Istanbul finishes in July 2009 - would this work at all?

Appreciate any info and honest advice

[rayman]

Yup, females are probably in higher demand due to the reasons mentioned by malu and tanyakenapa.

Keitepai, the academic year for most national plus and international schools starts in July/August. Your qualifications mean you could apply for and be most suited to these positions. Alternatively, if you're after more of a working holiday, you'd land a position easily in one of the language schools.

[keitepai]

Thanks Rayman,
I think I would like to do another 2 year contract - better for our kids this way with schooling and also to 'experience the culture' fully. I am on the same academic year here which suits me too.

BTW I have had 11 years teaching experience some in Early Childhood management (if this counts?) do you think I would be on the top scale as you wrote above?
I'm always in the position of having to find a good salary to give the family a good lifestyle, do some travelling etc.

[rayman]

The particular school has as much weighting on your salary as your experience, qualifications etc.

The top end of the highest salary group I provided would only apply at the best paying international schools to teachers with say, 10-15 years of experience.

[eddie honda]

[rayman]

I edited the original post to also indicate the type of schools which offer the salaries within each given range.

Cheers

[keitepai]

I can write a good CV and do pretty well in interviews - that's as much as I am willing to sell! There's always the scary thought that if you say you have a certain skill then you're shown up - seen this happen and it is very embarrassing for the person!!

I am already at an international school so if there are jobs available next year I will apply in Indonesia for sure.

Thanks for the info guys, very helpful.

[rayman]