Teaching Jobs in China

What are the Requirements to Teach English in China?

To teach English in China, you'll need to meet China's national work and visa requirements, along with any additional qualifications required by the school or program. Requirements can vary by employer and location, so always check the details of each program before applying.

1. Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree in any subject is required for most legal teaching positions.

2. TEFL/TESOL/CELTA: A 120-hour or higher accredited certificate is required unless you have 2+ years of full-time teaching experience or a recognized teaching license. If you don't have one yet, some programs include certification in the package.

3. Criminal Record Check: You need a clean background check from your home country, authenticated through an apostille or consular legalization process.

4. Passport & Nationality: English teaching roles commonly recruit citizens from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. Requirements for other nationalities depend on the employer and location.

5. Age Limits: Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Work permit guidelines generally set the upper age limit at under 60 for men and under 55 for women.

6. Valid Passport: Your passport needs enough remaining validity to complete the visa and residence permit process.

7. Z Visa: You need a Z visa to legally work in China, with sponsorship from the school or program you join.

8. Health Check: A standard medical examination is part of the visa and residence permit process, completed either before final visa issuance or after arrival.

Chinese language skills are not required for most teaching roles on this page, and plenty of programs welcome first-time teachers with no classroom experience. Teaching subjects such as maths, science, or humanities may also have different qualification requirements from English teaching roles.

Before applying, check how much time you'll need to prepare your documents. Degree certificates and background checks may need to be authenticated through an apostille or consular legalization process, depending on your country. Allow 3 to 6 weeks, as document authentication is often the slowest part of the process.

Learn more about visas and passports

Types of Teaching Jobs in China

Teaching jobs in China range from entry-level language teaching positions to licensed roles at international schools and universities. School type affects your salary, schedule, qualifications, and the type of students you'll teach.

Kindergarten & Preschool

Teach children aged 2 to 5 in classes of around 20 students on a standard weekday schedule. These roles can offer strong entry-level pay, while established schools often require prior experience and an in-person teaching certificate.

Private Language Academies & Training Centers

Teach children and teenagers outside regular school hours, with afternoon, evening, and weekend schedules and two weekdays off. Teaching hours are often lighter than a conventional school schedule, usually around 18 to 25 hours per week, making these roles more accessible to first-time teachers.

Public Schools

Teach larger classes, often with 30 to 50 students, following a set curriculum on a standard weekday schedule. Salaries are often lower than at private or international schools, and teachers may also help with activities beyond English lessons.

International & Bilingual Schools

These roles offer some of the highest salaries but also have stricter qualification requirements. Schools often require a teaching license, subject-relevant degree, or several years of classroom experience. Teaching loads can be around 18 hours per week or fewer, with several weeks of winter and summer vacation.

Non-English Subject Roles

International and bilingual schools also hire teachers for subjects such as maths, science, literature, and humanities. These positions often have different qualification requirements from English teaching roles and may not require TEFL certification.

Universities

Teach young adults through seminars, lectures, and smaller discussion-based classes. University roles often offer fewer contact hours and more flexibility in lesson planning, but usually require prior teaching experience, advanced qualifications, or a teaching license.

Teaching Internships & Graduate Programs

Structured placements for recent graduates, often lasting 10 to 12 months. Many include certification, orientation, and in-country support, although salaries can be lower than direct employment with a school.

Au Pair & Homestay Tutoring

Live with a Chinese host family and tutor children in English in exchange for accommodation, meals, and pocket money rather than a full teaching salary. Requirements are often lighter than for salaried teaching roles.

Volunteer Teaching 

Unpaid placements, often in rural schools or communities, with commitments ranging from a few weeks to several months. Participants may need to cover costs such as visas, insurance, and transportation.

The first six options are salaried teaching roles that generally require the appropriate work authorization. Internships, au pair placements, homestay tutoring, and volunteer programs operate under different arrangements, so compare the compensation and visa requirements of each listing carefully.

How Much Do English Teachers Make in China?

Salaries typically range from $1,600 to $4,500 per month, depending on the type of school, city, qualifications, and teaching experience. Here's what teachers can expect to earn across different roles:

International Schools

• $3,425 to $5,480 (25,000 to 40,000 RMB)
• These roles offer the highest pay scales but usually require a teaching license, a relevant degree, and prior experience. Established schools in Beijing and Shanghai can pay experienced teachers with advanced qualifications $6,000 or more per month.

Kindergarten & Preschool

• $2,055 to $3,835 (15,000 to 28,000 RMB)
• Salaries vary widely by location and experience. Shanghai kindergartens often sit at the higher end of the range, while schools in smaller cities tend to pay less.

Private Language Academies

• $2,055 to $3,425 (15,000 to 25,000 RMB)
• These roles are among the most accessible for first-time teachers, with afternoon, evening, and weekend schedules. Pay can increase with experience.

Public Schools

• $1,370 to $2,740 (10,000 to 20,000 RMB)
• Salaries sit at the lower end of the market but are balanced by standard weekday schedules and holidays that follow the national school calendar.

Universities

• $960 to $2,465 (7,000 to 18,000 RMB)
• University roles often have fewer teaching hours and longer holidays. Some positions also include or subsidize campus housing.

Source: Compiled from GoAbroad program listings and industry salary reports, August 2026. USD converted at 7.30 RMB to the dollar.

Cost of Teaching English in China

Teaching salaries in China can vary significantly by school type, city, qualifications, and experience. Understanding the upfront costs and monthly expenses can help you compare programs and plan your budget before you move.

Upfront costs

• Program Fees: Vary by provider, program length, and what's included. Some programs bundle TEFL certification, placement support, accommodation, orientation, and in-country assistance into the fee.
• Flight to China: $600 to $1,200 for an international flight, depending on your departure city, destination, season, and booking time. Some programs or employers offer flight allowances or reimbursements.
• Visa and Document Authentication: $200 to $500 for expenses such as background checks, document notarization, authentication, and visa-related fees.
• Initial Housing and Deposit: $500 to $1,500 if housing is not provided. Some landlords require a deposit and multiple months of rent upfront.

Monthly living expenses

• Housing: $200 to $850 per month for accommodation, depending heavily on the city and type of housing. Some teaching programs include housing or a housing allowance.
• Food and Groceries: $210 to $420 per month, depending on how often you cook, where you eat, and your lifestyle.
• Utilities and Internet: $40 to $85 per month for basic household utilities and internet.
• Local Transportation: $15 to $40 per month when primarily using public transportation.
• Entertainment and Dining Out: $50 to $200 per month, depending on your lifestyle.

Actual costs vary by city and personal spending habits. Check each program listing to see which expenses are included in the program fee and which you'll need to cover yourself.

Where to Teach English in China?

The city you choose affects your salary, living costs, school options, and lifestyle. Larger cities tend to offer more teaching opportunities and higher salaries, while smaller cities can offer lower living costs and more opportunities to save.

Tier 1 cities

These cities offer the highest salaries in the country alongside the highest living costs. They also have the widest range of international and bilingual schools.

• Shanghai: One of China's highest-paying teaching markets, but also one of the most expensive. The city has a wide range of international and bilingual schools and is a strong option for experienced teachers.
• Beijing: Offers competitive salaries and a large selection of international schools, universities, and language programs. The city also provides access to China's major historical and cultural attractions.
• Shenzhen: A modern technology hub near Hong Kong with strong demand for teachers at private, bilingual, and international schools. It also has a warmer climate than northern cities.
• Guangzhou: Offers competitive salaries with lower living costs than Shanghai and Beijing, making it an attractive option for teachers focused on saving.

Tier 2 cities

These cities generally have lower living costs than China's largest cities while still offering a wide range of teaching opportunities. For many teachers, these cities can provide a strong balance between salary and expenses.

• Chengdu: Known for its lower cost of living, relaxed lifestyle, and established international community.
• Xi'an: A historic city with relatively affordable living costs and teaching opportunities at schools and universities.
• Qingdao: A coastal city with a moderate cost of living and opportunities at schools and language centers.
• Suzhou: Located near Shanghai, offering access to a major metropolitan area while generally having lower housing costs.
• Dalian: A coastal city in the northeast with milder summers and lower living costs, with steady hiring for kindergarten and ESL roles.

Tier 3: Smaller Cities & Rural Placements

Rural placements come with lower salaries and much lower costs, with fewer foreign teachers around. These suit anyone prioritizing language immersion or cultural experience over earnings, and they are where most volunteer teaching programs operate.

How to Use GoAbroad to Find the Right Program For You

GoAbroad is the original online resource for meaningful travel, helping you find and compare study, volunteer, teach, and intern abroad programs worldwide since 1997.

Use the steps below to compare teaching opportunities, read reviews from past participants, and explore programs from verified providers around the world.

1. Get matched. Use the GoAbroad Online Advisor to find China teaching programs that match your goals and background.

2. Compare program details. Look at program fees, requirements, teaching placements, and what's included. Check whether the program provides TEFL certification, accommodation, visa assistance, flights, or in-country support.

3. Save and compare. Create a MyGoAbroad account to organize the programs you're considering and compare your options side by side.

4. Read the reviews. Reviews from teachers who have taught in China can give you a better idea of the actual experience, including teaching placements, provider support, accommodation, and daily life.

5. Hear it first-hand. Alumni interviews offer another perspective on teaching and living in China, including details that may not appear in a standard program description or review.

Learn more about how GoAbroad works