Even while the pay for teaching English in China is unlikely to match that of your own nation, the comparatively cheap cost of living in China means that your teaching income will go a long way.

Both governmental and private organizations pay between RMB 10,000 and RMB 15,000 ($1,400 and $2,200) per month in average salaries for their employees. The average salary in China is around RMB 20,000 ($2,800). However, some private institutions and foreign schools pay as much as RMB 30,000 ($4,300). In general, private instructors charge around RMB 150 ($22) per hour, and you may make a little more money if you have the right abilities and expertise.

How Much Money Can You Make Teaching in China?

Explore How Much Money Can You Make Teaching in China??

Monthly tuition for public schools is between 6,200 and 15,300 yuan

Generally speaking, public schools in China charge less per month than private ones, ranging from RMB 6,200 to 15,300 ($900 to $2,200). If you think this is a poor income, don’t be alarmed; there are many perks to make up for it. Teachers at public schools work fewer hours and have longer (typically paid) vacations and more holidays than their private school counterparts. Getting free lunch from the school is a wonderful way to save money while also getting a taste of Chinese cuisine.

Monday through Friday, you may anticipate working 16 to 25 hours each week as a teacher. In general, teachers and lesson planners have greater latitude in public schools. The local co-teacher who helps you adapt to teaching in China will be an international English teacher in a public school. Even yet, class sizes in public schools are often high, with anywhere from 20 to 40 pupils enrolled. The application procedure and applying for work visas are both more difficult at public schools because of the lack of a support system.

RMB 6,200-16,000 per month for private language schools

Private schools pay between RMB 6,200 and RMB 16,000 ($900 and $2,300) more per month than public schools. Because of the wide variety of language schools and their various criteria, wages vary widely. Salaries are dependent on a number of factors, including the amount of experience you have as a teacher, your qualifications, and your educational background.

Even if you’re a first-time teacher in China, working for a private institution may be advantageous if you lack teaching experience since they tend to provide more assistance than public ones. In addition, private schools are better equipped to help students with the application process, including visa applications.

Private academies have stricter curricula than public schools, and teachers and administrators will have greater authority over how you teach and manage your courses. With an average class size of 5 to 20, private academies have considerably lower class sizes than public ones. Private academies, on the other hand, serve a wider demographic, including adults, business people, and children.

There are a few more advantages to private schools than to public ones. Most private schools provide free accommodation, transportation, and health insurance to students. Private schools, like public ones, provide paid vacations, although shorter.

RMB 7,700 – 9,700 per month for students in universities.

For non-native English speakers, teaching in a university is an excellent choice. A university professor may teach up to 20 to 25 hours per week with prep time of a few hours, which is much less than what you’d find at other institutions. Professors at universities get greater free time, compensated travel and lodging, and paid vacation time. A lower income of RMB 7,000-9,700 ($1,000-$1,400) per month implies you’ll have more time to explore China or look for alternative job, even though your compensation is smaller.

Positions at public universities may be more competitive since they are more appealing and considered more distinguished than those at private universities.

RMB 11,800-29,900 per month for students attending international schools.

The greatest pay for ESL instructors in China is found in international schools, where wages usually vary from RMB 11,800 to 29,900 ($1,700 to $4,300) per month. Because of the greater monetary reward, getting a position at an international school is very difficult. As a result of their already generous salaries, teachers at foreign schools generally work 40-hour weeks with little if any perks.

Since children of expatriates and Chinese students hoping to study abroad attend foreign schools, the curriculum and teaching style are comparable to those of a normal American school. As an English teacher in an international school, your responsibilities are quite similar to those in the United States, and you may be asked to teach topics other than English. In order to teach a wider variety of topics, you’ll usually need a teaching credential from your native country to qualify for foreign schools.

How Much Money Can You Make Teaching in China?

RMB 140 per hour for private tutoring

Private tutoring is a common side job for ESL instructors who want to make ends meet. With an hourly rate of RMB 140 ($20), it’s simple to make more money in China while teaching. One-on-one tutoring is in great demand among corporate professionals, adults, and high school students alike. Teaching English as a second language in China may be difficult if you don’t have a solid network of contacts.

As a private teacher, you have complete control over your schedule and don’t have to worry about bosses or contracts. Private tutoring may be a lucrative side job for an English instructor in China after you’ve built up a network of contacts.