Job Discussion Forums

Skyblue2 · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 127

What do you reckon is a good salary for Beijing?

How much do you need to spend per month for the basics there, excluding rent?

What does rent cost, and how much do you spend on entertainment?

And what do you get for that money?

Johnny_Utah · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 35

10,000 yuan a month is a decent salary in Beijing. If your housing is paid for, then you can easily bank 7000-8000 of that if you don't do a lot of clothes shopping & just eat / drink Chinese beer. If your housing in not paid for, then expect to pay around 2000 a month for a room. If you do KTV / Hookers much, that can really eat into those projections.

Here is a break down of what some places pay in Beijing:

Public universities 6-8k to start out with, low hours, free accommodation.
High schools / middle schools 10-12k, free accommodation, low hours.
Wall Street English around 16k to start out, 40 hours a week, no apartment.
Disney English 16k to start out, 40 hours a week, no apartment.
ABC English 8 to start out if your a complete newbie, 10-12k if you have experience, around 20 hours a week, no apartment
New Oriental around 14k , 40 hours a week, no apartment.
Kindergartens 8-10k, low hours, free accommodation.
Private training centers 10-12k, no apartment.

Skyblue2 · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 127

Very informative. Thanks.

Oriented · Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: China

Johnny_Utah · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 35

If you are planning on coming to Beijing on a shoe-string budget to begin with, then I suggest you look for a school that offers accommodation.

Oriented · Joined: 27 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: China

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

Johnny_Utah's information may be accurate (at one time, or at various times for several people), but don't expect those figures to be there.

I spent 2 weeks going to interviews and talking to recruiters. Even the recruiter that got my current school was told not to contact me after she kept harassing me to get paperwork which would have made more sense for her to arrange, paperwork my school and I already discussed getting, and paperwork my previous school suggested my current school arrange to get.

The point is, you are not going to just walk into these schools and be able to get a job right away. Maybe Oriental school offered 14,000 at one time, but that doesn't mean they still do. I also see with a google search that there have been some legal problems with the school.

I have a place outside downtown Beijing and I am quite happy with the salary and accommodation (considering it's free). The kitchen and bathroom aren't up to par, but liveable nonetheless. The current workload is low, I got paid for my first month and I only taught like 2 weeks worth of classes. Looks like I will be doing 3 this month. I don't have to be at the school for 40 hours, and I teach less than 20 classes at the moment. No office hours, so no additional 15 hours sitting around at a desk.

The reason why these schools do this is to avoid paying for an extra teacher. If you like being used and abused go to a training school in Beijing and take one of those 40 hour jobs. It's either that or wiping butts for some kindy school.

Skyblue2 · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 127

@ Utah and @ askiptochina - Thanks for the input.

Johnny_Utah · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 35

The training schools are not that bad, I have worked for several. The job, and the school are what you make of it. Honestly I have enjoyed busting my ass more at some of the training centers in the city for 40 hours a week/12k a month more than teaching 20 hours of classes filled with spoiled as $h** rich kids in the countryside. At the end of the day, it's what makes you happy. If you are satisfied, who cares.

Now let's talk about these schools - Beijing is ultra competitive, dont expect to walk into some of these high paying jobs, iv walked into a couple interviews/demo's before & had a rude awakening because i was not prepared/serious enough/experienced enough. Once in awhile you will get lucky, and they will be desperately trying to fill a position and will hire the first resume they get.

After you have a year or two of teaching experience you will know what your doing / have people that will vouch for you, then can practically walk into high paying jobs. You will also have your "network" developed, as in all your buddy's from other schools you have taught at will also be on the look out for the best jobs/worked at or burnt their bridges with the best jobs already & can tell you all about them.

One good tip I can give people, is keep in touch with other co-workers after you've moved on to a different place.. Chinese & Foreign alike, as has been mentioned here previously, relationships are everything in Beijing/China.