We survey the foreign teacher's average monthly basic salary on a national level.
You can research the approximate range of about foreign teachers's basic salaries by geographic location.
Keep in mind when you convert RMB into USD that while the salary may seem low, it is appropriate and comfortable for the cost of living in China. For example, you can buy a meal here for about RMB 5-10. Ordinary clothes cost between RMB 25-50.
Do not expect to earn a lot of money through teaching, but even an ordinary foreign teacher can live an comfortable life by local standards, and more importantly, enjoy the venerable hospitality of the Chinese people.
Notice:
The wages of foreign teachers are basic wages after tax, but you must remember to add in the value of benefits.
These benefits may include:
Free housing, free medical treatment, free food, holiday travel subsidy, international airline ticket subsidy, etc..
Some employers offer high pay but may not include some benefits, and may request longer hours, so don't use the wage number as only factor in making your decision. You should take the following points into consideration:
A, Number of hours worked per week
B, Does your employer offer full room and board?
C, Does your employer offer any vacation? Is it with salary?
D, Does your employer cover the cost of your airfare?
The state administration also has a guideline for paying foreign cultural and educational experts.
| Location | Foreign Teacher① | Chinese Teacher② | Urban Resident③ | Rural Resident④ |
| National Level | 1,942.00 (College) 1,108.00 |
897.56 | 234.39 | |
| Anhui | 3,150-4,050 | 880.83 | 727.11 | 199.15 |
| Beijing | 3,850-4,950 | 2,214.00 | 1445.41 |
627.97 |
| Chongqing | 3,014-3,875 | 994.33 | 907.12 | 188.11 |
| Fujian | 4,030-5,182 | 1,211.08 | 1032.18 | 338.39 |
| Gansu | 3,241-4,167 | 1,038.83 | 737.93 | 123.20 |
| Guangdong | 4,150-5,336 | 1,533.67 | 1283.76 | 362.74 |
| Guangxi | 2,722-3,500 | 900.50 | 790.30 | 192.93 |
| Guizhou | 4,283-5,250 | 813.42 | 704.67 | 126.39 |
| Hainan | 2,917-3,750 | 1,054.08 | 746.62 | 242.44 |
| Hebei | 2,970-3,819 | 873.83 | 603.26 | 251.31 |
| Heilongjiang | 3,617-4,650 | 1,091.00 | 657.90 | 251.59 |
| Henan | 2,902-3,731 | 888.83 | 842.91 | 178.13 |
| Hubei | 3,098-3,983 | 949.58 | 756.32 | 200.78 |
| Hunan | 3,138-4,034 | 1,014.83 | 639.52 | 245.46 |
| Inner Mongolia | 2,917-3,750 | 971.75 | 799.01 | 227.67 |
| Jiangsu | 3,150-4,050 | 1,258.92 | 976.84 | 395.22 |
| Jiangxi | 3,684-4,737 | 834.42 | 731.57 | 207.06 |
| Jilin | 3,135-4,031 | 994.25 | 726.55 | 251.22 |
| Liaoning | 3,650-4,694 | 1,070.33 | 776.34 | 318.12 |
| Ningxia | 2,800-3,600 | 1,130.17 | 672.12 | 224.36 |
| Qinghai | 2,667-3,429 | 1,055.67 | 790.96 | 148.41 |
| Shaanxi | 3,354-4,312 | 931.50 | 746.83 | 168.47 |
| Shandong | 2,975-3,825 | 1,046.83 | 906.98 | 320.90 |
| Shanghai | 4,529-5,823 | 2,057.17 | 1661.96 | 704.08 |
| Shanxi | 2,882-3,705 | 883.42 | 821.54 | 157.15 |
| Sichuan | 3,182-4,091 | 980.75 | 712.92 | 207.92 |
| Tianjin | 2,333-3,000 | 1,421.92 | 1118.86 | 458.34 |
| Tibet | 2,342.50 | 723.59 | 115.83 | |
| Xinjiang | 2,800-3,600 | 1,186.92 | 732.96 | 165.11 |
| Yunnan | 2,333-3,000 | 1,065.50 | 725.84 | 141.43 |
| Zhejiang | 3,911-5,029 | 1,852.58 | 1454.08 | 610.16 |
| ① After tax, source from AbroadChina.Org professional's analysis of survey data collected from all size employers. ② Before tax, source from National Bureau of Statistics of China 2003 ③ Source from National Bureau of Statistics of China Jan, 2005 ④ Source from National Bureau of Statistics of China Oct, 2004 |
Important: Your pay can be dramatically affected by compensable factors such as teaching hours, employer size, employee credentials, years of experience and others.
