Job Discussion Forums

john henry · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 44

Hello,

I am looking for info on salary levels for ESL teachers in Vietnam, especially Hanoi. Would anyone be so kind as to share what the going rate is per contact hour? I know salary levels vary, but I am just trying to get a rough idea of the market rate.

Thanks for responding!

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

About $25 an hour is the starting rate now for a qualified teacher. (meaning one that can get a work permit)

The rates went up recently because of the crackdown.

hot_rock · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 107

$25 an hour is hardly the going rate. VUS in HCMC are starting those who have good demo lessons at $17 after tax. ILA $17.25 BEFORE tax. I have no idea on the specifics of other schools but i cannot believe anyone who works a decent number of hours (ie over 20) is getting that to start off with.

But please, prove me wrong! Anyone else got any opinions?

Perhaps Hanoi is very different from HCMC but really...?

londo · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 107 Location: District 7

I can confirm $17 net is the going rate for 'new' teachers (with quals) or the remaining unqualified teachers. This usually rises with time and after WP issue. $25 is very high however, and usually only for those who have been here for some time, have a 'name' or have experience in specific areas such as IELTS, TOEFL, biz communications etc. However I do see a general increase in the offing with probably $20 being the base rate towards the end of the year.

Mattingly · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 249

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

I would say the average going rate for a beginner is between $15 and $17 in HCMC. That is based on my own experience and my friends. I dont believe anyone could jump in at $25.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

Ben E's correct.....

The work permit crackdown HAS had an upwards effect on Tay (foreign) Teacher salaries because a lot of us have thrown our hands up in the air and have said "Screw it!!! I've had enough!!" and just left. This has resulted in a shortage of qualified instructors.

A couple schools who either cannot pay or refuse to pay these new salaries are starting to go with Filipino English instructors......it's really thee funniest stuff to watch.

I work in a city in Central Viet Nam........have seen several colleagues flee because of the headache of GETTING a work permit and of hearing about how the Five-Oh are asking questions about them.

I freelance and do contract classes.....but I have an overloaded schedule and have NEVER had to take less than $22USD/hr. - 450,000VND/hr. in the past six months....

You have got to be gullible and naive if you're letting them start you below $18.....

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

I am in the USA and trying to find a decent sales job. If no go, I was going to take a teaching job in Hanoi but decided against it after reading this forum.

I read that it is a very polluted city with no fresh air.

Also, the school places the teacher on a lower probation salary for 3 months or 25% of the contract. It works out to below $17 for the contract teaching hours. If one takes into consideration lesson planning an so forth it could be half that.

hot_rock · Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 107

i think Mattingly's correct; there's now way "average" salaries are that high, BenE. Nowhere near. Obviosly there will be a few jobs that (perhaps for good reason, btw) pay that high from the start but to talk about that being the norm is silly.

This is by no mean