- TEFL Courses TEFL Courses
- View all TEFL courses
- 120-hour Premier Online TEFL Course
- 250-hour Level-5 Online TEFL Course
- Online TEFL Courses
- Classroom TEFL Courses
- Combined TEFL Courses
- Virtual TEFL Courses
- TEFL Course Bundles NEW
- Advanced TEFL Courses
- TEFL Lesson Plans & Resources
- TEFL Gift Vouchers
- Which TEFL course is right for you?
- New to TEFL New to TEFL
- Locations
- TEFL Jobs
- Teach Abroad Teach Abroad
- Teach English Abroad
- Teach English in Japan
- Teach English in South Korea
- Teach English in Spain
- Teach English in China
- TEFL Salaries Abroad
- Requirements for teaching abroad
- Teach English abroad without a degree
- How to find teaching jobs abroad without experience
- Can you teach English abroad as a non-native speaker?
- Teach Online
- About Us
- Blog
- Podcast
Teaching English in China: Salary expectations
If you want to earn a high salary for teaching English as a foreign language, China delivers. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEFL course provider
TEFL certificate
teachers trained
find work within 2 months
Everything about China is vast – including the opportunities for English teachers. There are currently around 400 million English language learners here, taught by an estimated 1 million English language teachers – making China the largest TEFL market in the world.
With numerous teaching jobs and plenty of willing students, teaching English in China is an amazing way to gain experience of leading a class while immersing yourself in a fascinating culture.
Being an English teacher pays well, too. And with additional perks often included in job offers, like housing, flights and health insurance, it’s an affordable option.
In this article, we’ll look at those benefits in more detail, along with teaching salaries in China, the cost of living and job opportunities across the country.
New to TEFL? Check out our guides here:
- What Is TEFL? The Purpose of TEFL Certification
- What is TEFL, TESOL, TESL, CELTA & DELTA?
- How Much Time Do You Need to Get TEFL Certified?
So, what can you earn as an ESL teacher in China?
How much can you earn teaching English in China?
To understand salaries for teaching in China, it’s important to know about China’s Tier system. Each of its 613 official cities have been classified under this system, based on their population:
- Tier 1 cities are gigantic megacities with over 15 million residents, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
- Tier 2 cities have 3 - 15 million people - like Wuhan, Dalian, and Nanjing.
- Tier 3 cities, like Yangzhou and Foshan, have 150,000 - 3 million residents.
- Tier 4 cities are relatively small, with fewer than 150,000 residents.
Larger cities are traditionally the wealthiest, and teaching positions offer a better salary package. However, they are also the most expensive to live in, so the headline rate of pay is relative to the cost of living. Requirements for teaching jobs in each area also vary.
For example, if you have a TEFL qualification, a degree, previous teaching experience, and a teaching license, your salary in private and international schools in a Tier 1 city could be as much as CN¥ 26,706 - CN¥ 33,471 ($3,750 - $4,700 / £2,767 - £3,467) per month.
So if you want to earn a high salary for teaching English as a foreign language, China should be at the top of your list of places to consider.
Average monthly salaries and requirements for jobs in Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities
In our table below, you’ll notice that English learning centers – or, private language schools – pay far higher teaching salaries than universities and private schools. Public schools also pay English teachers more than private schools, not least because of a crackdown on private education in China.
| Job | Tier 1 monthly salary | Tier 2 monthly salary | Tier 3 monthly salary | Education requirements |
| Public schools | CN¥ 10,682 - CN¥ 17,803 ($1,500 - $2,500 / £1,106 - £1,845) | CN¥ 9,970 - CN¥ 16,379 ($1,400 - $2,300 / £1,033 - £1,697) | CN¥ 7,121 - CN¥ 10,682($1,000 - $1,500 / £738 - £1,845) | Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate |
| Private schools | CN¥ 8,000 - CN¥ 16,000 ($1,123 - $2,247 / £829 - £1,657) | CN¥ 7,000 - CN¥ 12,000 ($983 - $1,685 / £725 - £1,243) | CN¥ 6000 - CN¥ 10,000 ($842 - $1,404 / £1,036) | Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate |
| International schools | CN¥ 17,804 - CN¥ 33,471 ($2,500 - $4,700 / £1,844 - £3,468) | CN¥ 14,243 - CN¥ 24,925 ($2,000 - $3,500 / £1,476 - £2,582) | CN¥ 14,243 - CN¥ 24,925 ($2,000 - $3,500 / £1,476 - £2,582) | Master’s degree, TEFL certificate, teaching license, teaching experience |
| Universities | CN¥ 8,546 - CN¥ 11,394 ($1,200 - $1,600 / £885 - £1,180) | CN¥ 7,121 - CN¥ 11,394 ($1,000 - $1,300 / £885 - £959) | CN¥ 8,545 ($1,200 / £885) | Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, teaching experience |
| English learning centers | CN¥ 26,706 - CN¥ 33,471 ($3,750 - $4,700 / £2,767 - £3,467) | CN¥ 19,940 - CN¥ 28,842 ($2,800 - $4,050 / £2,066 - £2,988) | CN¥ 17,803 - CN¥ 24,925 ($2,500 - $3,500 / £1,844 - £2,582) | Teaching-related degree, teaching license, teaching experience, TEFL certificate |
Private tutoring in China
In 2021, China banned profit-making private tutoring for K-12 students to reduce costs to parents and stress to pupils who were spending much of their day in education. The move caused economic fallout across the sector, with the loss of over three million jobs.
Although the policy hasn’t officially changed, regulatory pressure has dropped and companies are finding creative ways to teach English by integrating it into science and mathematics classes – giving foreign teachers the opportunity to work as private tutors.Working privately as an English teacher can earn you around CN¥ 7121 - CN¥ 24,925 ($1,000 - $3,500 / £738 - £2,582) per month before potential commissions or tax. In-person tutoring in Tier 1 cities and teaching English online are usually the most lucrative options. Tip: In today’s China, the best tutoring opportunities are in Business English and English for Academic Purposes.
Download our teaching English in Asia guide
Additional benefits for English teachers in China
Beyond attractive salary packages for teachers, your money can stretch much further in China thanks to further benefits, including:
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Health insurance
- Contract completion bonuses
- Paid holidays (including national/school holidays)
- Mandarin lessons
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
Exactly what package you receive depends on which type of educational establishment you work in – state school, international school, English language center or university.
Teaching benefits in Chinese state schools
State school teachers across China have recently been awarded various benefits to help improve their welfare and social status. On top of free lunches, paid holidays, and visa sponsorship for entry into China – usually given as standard to foreign teachers – the Chinese government now offers:
- Mental health resources
- Discounts for cultural experiences (like museums and galleries)
- Transport discounts
- Special bank accounts
- Urban support housing (for city teachers).
Teaching benefits in Chinese international schools
International schools in China offer more than just a high salary. Contracts generally include housing, health insurance, contract completion incentives and performance bonuses, making these establishments a highly-attractive option.
Teaching benefits in Chinese English language centers
If you’re looking for more flexible working, English training centers usually operate in evenings and at weekends, keeping your weekdays free for exploring the area. They also pay some of the highest wages and provide benefits like Mandarin lessons, health insurance, and housing allowances.
Teaching benefits in universities
Universities in China are always looking for ESL teachers to provide translation services, lecturing, and curriculum development. The workload is lighter (12-16 hours weekly), and you’ll be offered 12 weeks of paid holidays, housing allowance or accommodation, and health insurance.
Read More: 120-Hour Premier Online TEFL Course
What qualifications do you need to teach in China?
Your level of education and TEFL qualification will have a bearing on the jobs you can apply for. You’ll also need to meet the requirements for a Chinese Z visa.
Must-Read Guides:
- How to Become an English Teacher in China (Requirements)
- How to Teach English Abroad
- How to Teach English Abroad as a Non-Native English Speaker
Bachelor’s degree
You can’t get a Z Visa (work visa) to teach English in China without a bachelor’s degree, although it can be in any subject. For specific jobs, such as higher-paid roles in English training centers, you may need a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in Education (or a related subject).If you don’t have a degree but you’re interested in working in Asia, you could look at places like Nepal and Cambodia, where you can teach English without a degree.
TEFL certification
A TEFL certification from a recognized, reputable provider is vital for you to be able to teach English in China. The industry standard is an accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate.English level and nationality
English teachers in China must be native-level English speakers and come from one of the following countries:
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- USA
- Canada.
If you’re from another nation where English is the primary language, you might be accepted, but it’s less common.
Z Visa
There are two types of visas for English teachers:
To get a Z visa, you need:
- A valid passport from Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the USA.
- A bachelor’s degree certificate.
- A TEFL certificate.
- A criminal record check.
- Full-color passport photos.
- Application form.
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
Read More: Teach English Abroad Visas
Cost of living in China
How well you can live off the money you earn is, of course, relative to how expensive it is to live there. To give you some examples of the cost of living in China, we've looked at Beijing from Tier 1, Nanjing from Tier 2, and Yangzhou from Tier 3.
In Beijing, if you live in a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, typical rent is CN¥ 6,670 ($937 / £692) a month, falling to CN¥ 3,598 ($505 / £373) on the city’s outskirts.
In Nanjing, your money goes much further. The average city center rent can be under half that in Beijing, and you can find a one-bedroom apartment in the suburbs for an average of CN¥ 3,007 ($422 / £312), or CN¥ 2,159 ($303 / £224).
Go to Yangzhou and the rent is even cheaper. A one-bedroom apartment in a prime central location will cost you just under CN¥ 1,700 ($239 / £176) per month – affordable on the lower teacher’s salary you will receive there.
Dinner in a restaurant also varies wildly depending on where you are. A three-course meal in one of Beijing’s mid-priced restaurants will cost around CN¥ 200 ($28 / £21) for two people. In Nanjing, it’s nearer CN¥ 169 ($24 / £18), and in Yangzhou, the same dinner costs CN¥ 112 ($16 / £12).
Grocery prices in Beijing are over 12% higher than in Nanjing, and 44% higher than Yangzhou, while a single ticket on public transport costs twice as much in Beijing as in the other two cities – although taxi costs are similar.
| Restaurants | CNY | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | CNY | USD | GBP |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | CNY | USD | GBP |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | CNY | USD | GBP |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | CNY | USD | GBP |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
Saving money while teaching in China
Thanks to the high teaching salaries and low cost of living in China, it can be easy to save money. Here's a breakdown of the average monthly costs in a Tier 1, 2, and 3 city before rent, against the average wage at a state school:
- In Beijing, the monthly costs for a single person are around CN¥ 4,268 ($599 / £443), while the average salary in a state school is CN¥ 10,682 - CN¥ 17,803 ($1,500 - $2,500 / £1,106 - £1,845).
- In Nanjing, monthly expenditure for a single person is about CN¥ 3,655 ($513 / £379), while the average state school salary is CN¥ 9,970 - CN¥ 16,379 ($1,400 - $2,300 / £1,033 - £1,697).
- A typical month’s expenses in Yangzhou come to about CN¥ 2,720 ($382 / £283), and a state school teacher’s salary is about CN¥ 7,121 - CN¥ 10,682 ($1,000 - $1,500 / £738 - £1,845).
Depending on your job and salary, you could save a substantial amount during your time as a teacher in China – useful if you want to return home with some money, or want to use China as a base to continue exploring Asia once you’ve finished working there.
Key salary takeaways for English teachers in China
Teaching salaries in China stand out against those you can earn in other countries. With excellent benefits thrown in, a low cost of living and such a huge array of jobs, you can live well while you work there.
- Salary averages: In China, depending on where you live and what kind of job you have, you could earn an average of CN¥ 21,833 - CN¥ 31,050 (£2,339 - £3,326 / $3,008 - $4,278).
- Factors: City tier, previous teaching experience, qualifications.
- Language schools: While English training centers don’t usually offer the highest salary packages in other foreign countries, they often do in China.
- Savings: Considering the low cost of living in China, a typical TEFL teacher could save up to CN¥ 3,560 - CN¥ 7,121 ($500 - $1,000 / £370 - £740) per month.
If you have a degree and a TEFL certificate, and qualify for a Z Visa, you could earn a great salary from teaching in the world's biggest English language market. Not only that, it’s an incredible experience to go and experience Chinese culture first hand.
More on teaching English in China
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I qualify to teach English in China?
You need a degree (in any subject), native-level English, a passport from the USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, and a TEFL certificate (120 hours or more). Previous teaching experience is desirable for teaching positions in prestigious schools.
Q. Are English teachers in demand in China?
Yes – China has the most English learners of anywhere in the world, with an estimated 400 million learners. TEFL teachers are desperately needed to match demand across various educational institutions.
Q. Can I teach English in China without experience?
You can teach English in China without experience, provided you have a high-quality TEFL certificate, native-level English, and a passport from an English-speaking country.
Q. Is it worth teaching in China?
TEFL in China can be very rewarding, both culturally and financially, with high salaries and a host of other benefits, including flights, accommodation and health insurance. And with a low cost of living, you can save money while you work, too.
Q. What salary can Filipino teachers earn in China?
A Filipino teacher in Shanghai could earn around CN¥ 12,000 (approximately Php93,882 / $1,747) monthly, with potential for higher salaries based on experience and qualifications.