Teaching English in China is more than an opportunity to make money—it’s a chance to explore a new culture, meet new people, and learn something new about yourself. But, if you’re looking into teaching abroad in China, it’s normal to wonder how much English teachers make there (especially if you need to support yourself!).
Being an English teacher in China could be a great move for your travels and career!
Like most things, it depends. Your salary as an English teacher in China will look different depending on your background, where you go, and what kind of school you end up in. English teachers in China generally earn between CN¥10,000 and CN¥50,000 per month (roughly $1,400 to $7,000), with entry-level ESL roles at the lower end and experienced, licensed teachers at top international schools at the top.
This guide breaks down the average salary, the factors that move it up or down, and which teaching roles pay the most, so you can make the best decision for your English teaching career.
English teacher salaries in China at a glance:
- Typical monthly range: CN¥10,000–50,000 (~$1,400–$7,000), depending on school type, city, and experience
- Highest-paying roles: Tier 1 international schools and licensed-teacher positions sit at the top of that range
- Most common benefits: free or subsidized housing, flight allowance, medical insurance, contract-completion bonus
- Biggest salary factors: city tier, school type, experience, and qualifications
- Extra income: private tutoring on evenings/weekends is a common way to boost earnings
READ MORE: Why Teach English in China?
Average English Teacher Salary in China
In general, if you teach English in China, your monthly salary will fall between CN¥10,000 and CN¥50,000 per month (roughly $1,400 to $7,000). Most first-time ESL teachers start toward the lower end of that range, experienced teachers at private and international schools land in the middle, and fully licensed teachers and heads of department at top international schools reach the upper end.
Whatever the exact number, foreign teacher salaries run significantly higher than the average local salary in China, which means you'll be able to live well while paying off student loans or building up that travel fund. Many teachers manage to save meaningfully each month, especially outside the biggest cities where the cost of living drops faster than the salaries do.
What Affects Teaching Salaries in China?
Your English teacher salary in China isn't set in stone. These five factors have the biggest influence on what lands in your bank account each month.
Experience
For teachers without classroom experience, salaries typically range from CN¥10,000 to CN¥15,000 per month. If you've been around the block a few times and have some ESL teaching under your belt, you could make CN¥18,000 to CN¥25,000 per month. Teachers who stay with the same school for more than one year often receive pay increases and end-of-contract bonuses on top.
Qualifications (TEFL, degree)
The baseline requirements to teach legally in China also shape your pay:
- TEFL certificate, 150+ hours. TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA are all acceptable, but a TEFL with 150+ hours keeps the most doors open. Browse online TEFL courses or in-person options to get certified.
- Bachelor's degree (any field for most ESL roles).
- Z Visa for teaching, which requires citizenship in an approved country (UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), a clear background check, and being 18–60 years old (55 for women).
Beyond the baseline, credentials compound: a degree in education, a teaching license from your home country, or subject-specific expertise can push you into the highest international school pay bands.
School type
Where you teach matters as much as how long you've taught:
- Public schools: roughly CN¥8,000–11,000 per month, with lighter workloads and long holidays.
- Private language centers: up to around CN¥16,000 per month, often with evening/weekend schedules and higher performance expectations.
- International and bilingual schools: roughly CN¥10,000–25,000+ per month, with the top end reserved for licensed, experienced teachers.
City
China ranks its cities in tiers based on GDP, political administration, and population, and businesses use those tiers to track development and market trends. For teachers, the practical takeaway: Tier 1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) pay the most but also cost the most to live in. Lower-tier cities pay less on paper, but the cost of living drops faster than the salary does, so your savings rate can actually be better outside the megacities. For a city-by-city look, see the 7 Best Places to Teach English in China, and if you're eyeing China's biggest teaching market specifically, this guide to teaching in Shanghai covers what to expect from the city's schools, salaries, and lifestyle.
Benefits
In addition to salary, most schools and programs offer significant benefits that change the real value of an offer: free housing or a housing stipend, medical insurance, contract-completion bonuses, and flight allowances. Sometimes even your outbound flight is paid up front, so your starting costs can be extremely low. When comparing offers, always weigh the full package, not just the monthly number.
READ MORE: How to Avoid Common Teach in China Scams
Think about where you’d want to be based as an English teacher in China.
Highest Paying Teaching Jobs in China
Rather than a single "best-paying employer," the highest salaries in China cluster around specific types of teaching roles. Here's where the money actually is, and programs on GoAbroad that can connect you with these roles.
Tier 1 international schools
The top of the pay scale. Fully licensed teachers at international schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou earn the highest packages in the country, and heads of department or teachers with education degrees can earn up to CN¥50,000+ per month at certain schools. Competition is real: expect to need a teaching license, experience, and a polished application.
Recommended job: The International Educator (TIE) runs a job board built specifically for international school placements, including Beijing, suited to teachers with 2+ years of experience applying directly to vacancies.
Private bilingual schools
Private and bilingual schools pay above public school rates, up to around CN¥16,000–25,000 per month depending on the school and your credentials, in exchange for higher expectations and a more demanding pace.
Recommended job: High School English Literature Teaching in Shenzhen & Guangzhou with SIE places teachers in private, bilingual, and international schools with a housing allowance, relocation support, and a capped 18 teaching hours per week.
Universities
University salaries sit below international schools, but the hourly math is hard to beat: fewer teaching hours per week, long paid holidays, and an academic environment. A strong fit if you value time over maximum salary.
Recommended job: Teach in China at SIAS University, the first solely American-owned university in Central China, hires Oral English and Academic Course instructors with professional development built in.
Private tutoring (salary booster)
Less a job category than a top-up: offering private tutoring after school or on weekends is a common way to add extra income. It's relatively easy to find students, and a few extra hours each week can meaningfully raise your monthly total. Whatever your main role, tutoring is the most flexible lever you control.
How to land the higher-paying roles: international schools tend to pay best, so make your application and CV stand out. China is a formal country — dress up for interviews, prepare for each one specifically, and learn a few Mandarin phrases to make a great first impression. And research all your options before flying out: for the full landscape of roles beyond just salary, start with the 10 Best Teaching Jobs in China, and if you're new to the whole process, How to Teach English in China walks through qualifications and applications step by step.
Being an English teacher in China is a great way to work and travel!
Ready for an adventure?
Being an English teacher in China is a great excuse to explore the world and make a little dough while you do it! Teaching English is relatively accessible if you happen to be a native speaker, and getting a legit TEFL certification is a breeze with the many online and in-person options. You could feasibly be traveling and getting certified at the same time, then settle in China to make some money along the way.
Your salary won't be insanely high compared to some careers back home, but between the benefits packages and the cost of living, you can absolutely live well and save. Keep your eye on the prize, and on your travel budget.
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Rebekah Glebe
GoAbroad's Graphic Design Intern Extraordinaire
Rebekah is a culturally curious, dog-loving gal from Colorado with a strong affinity for desert landscapes. She studied Communication and Journalism at Colorado State University and took all classes with "international" in the title. She also spent a semester abroad in Thailand and is always looking for another opportunity to hop on a plane and explore.
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