How Much Can I Earn + Other Benefits

In the TEFL world salaries vary greatly. Here’s a list of the most popular teaching destinations and the salaries offered to NES* and NNES* based on experience and qualifications such as a degree and a teaching certificate.

If you come from a non-native English-speaking country, some companies may require you to demonstrate your English language proficiency – CEFR C1+ level (IELTS academic band score 7.0+; TOEIC – 900+; TOEFL iBT – 95+). It is also important to have a clear neutral accent.

*NES – Native English Speaker
*NNES – Non-Native English Speaker

Full-Time/Month

Asia: Japan $1,700 – $2,550; China $1,150 – $4,300; Hong Kong $2,500 – $3,300; South Korea $1,350 – $2,500; Thailand $800 – $1,500; Vietnam $900 – $2,200; Indonesia $1,000-$1,500; India: $150-$2,000; Cambodia $700 – $1,000; Myanmar $800 – $2,200; Taiwan $2,000 – $2,400; Sri Lanka $300 – $650; Laos $600 – $1,500; Bangladesh $350 – $1,000; Nepal $500 – $1,000.

Please note that according to some Asian countries’ regulations, a company can’t employ someone legally under the title of an English Teacher (however, it may be legal under a different job title, for example, a Teaching Assistant, an Educational Methodologist, an Associate Tutor, a Librarian, a Counselor, a Teacher of a different language, etc. – very common practice in China) without holding a passport from an approved English-speaking country (such countries are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea).

Europe: Czech Republic $700 – $1,200; Germany $1,100 – $2,600; Spain $800 – $1,800; Austria $850 – $3,200; Bulgaria $500 – $1,000; Croatia $800 – $1,200; Cyprus $1,000 – $1,300; Estonia $850 – $1,250; Finland $1,900 – $3,900; France $800 – $2,000; Greece $500 – $1,000; Hungary $900 – $1,000; Italy $1,000 – $1,500; Lithuania $1,000 – $2,500; Malta $800 – $1,000; the Netherlands $1,600 – $2,800; Poland $600 – $1,000; Portugal $800 – $1,200; Romania $600 – $1,000; Slovakia $400 – $950; Belarus $600 – $1,200; Montenegro $1,000 – $2,000; Ukraine $500 – $1,300; Russia $1,000 – $2,000; Serbia $700 – $1,500.

Eurasia: Turkey $500 – $1,150; Azerbaijan $1,000 – $2,000; Afghanistan $550 – $1,000; Armenia $800 – $1,500; Mongolia $1,000 – $1,500; Uzbekistan $400 – $650; Georgia $600 – $1,000.

Middle East: Lebanon $1,300 – $2,700; Bahrain $1,500 – $3,000; UAE $1,500 – $5,000; Qatar $1,600 – $3,700; Saudi Arabia $2,600 – $4,000.

Please be advised that jobs in the Middle Eastern countries are usually available for males only and require a master’s degree (oftentimes in a related subject area).

Also, take into account that in most Arabic/Muslim countries you will be granted only one day off per week.

Africa: Angola: $400 – $550; Tunisia: $500 – $1,000; Morocco $500 – $1,000; Egypt $500 – $1,000.

Latin & South America: Mexico $500 – $1,000; Argentina $600 – $1,200; Chile $500 – $800; Brazil $800 – $1,300; Peru $500 – $700; Colombia $700 – $1,000; Ecuador $500 – $800; Venezuela $400 – $600; Bolivia $400 – $600; Dominican Republic $600 – $1,200; Costa Rica $600 – $1,000.

Please note that some South and Latin American countries do not guarantee safety.

Also, bear in mind that in order to get a job offer overseas, you already need to be in that country, as the majority of companies don’t invite teachers from outside, especially in Latin and South American countries.

Another important point is that a lot of companies pay higher salaries to those teachers who hold DELTA (any module) or Trinity DipTESOL.

Other Benefits and Perks
(Usually Provided Under Full-Time Employment Only)

• Furnished housing (either accommodation or a housing stipend provided)
• Airfare (either paid in advance or reimbursed; one way or round trip)
• Airport pickup
• Relocation allowance
• Medical and/or accident insurance (either wholly or partially covered by the employer) + paid sick leave
• Visa cost reimbursement, residence permit, and paperwork assistance
• Cash advancement
• Paid vacation leave
• Retirement benefits
• Free meals
• Contract completion bonus
• Gratuity and performance (KPI) bonuses
• Staff referral bonus
• Transport allowance
• Laundry service
• Support in getting a teaching certificate
• Professional Development (PD) courses, free training courses, and local language lessons
• Advancement and promotion career opportunities
• Teaching resources, ready-made lesson plans, and tailored curricula
• In-country orientation
• Free SIM card
• Days in lieu

If you work part-time or are paid hourly, the rate will be slightly higher, however, you will not be eligible for a full benefits package.

Contracts vary between 4 months and 3 years and are usually renewable; the most common contract requirement is one year.