What is the salary of an English teacher in Myanmar? Learn how much you can make teaching English in Myanmar and understand salary benefits, savings, cost of living, and expenses.
If you seek to teach English in an off-the-beaten country in the heart of Asia that remains largely undiscovered by tourists and untouched by homogenized commercialization and chain stores, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is definitely a top option for you. Bordering such nations as India, China, and Thailand, Myanmar is emerging as a fast-growing market for English language instruction, with opportunities increasing rapidly in recent years. What's more, Myanmar is one of the few countries in Asia where you can teach English professionally without a college degree.
Asia is known as one of the most lucrative regions in the world for teaching English and while Myanmar is one of the most underdeveloped economies in the region, it is a nation on the move where many first-time English teachers are able to make enough to save 20% or more of their income after expenses, which typically amounts to at least $200-$300 USD each month.
What is the Average English Teacher's Salary in Myanmar?
A typical first-time English teacher in Myanmar earns the equivalent of $600 to $1,000 per month (2 million to 3.2 million Kyat). Due to the low cost of living, many teachers save up to $200 or more monthly after expenses. Those with prior teaching experience can often make up to $900 - $1,800 USD monthly.
Salaries & living costs will vary based on region and from school to school.
* The abbreviation for the Myanmar Kyat is MMK.
Read more: How Much Can I Make Teaching English Abroad?
Salary, Benefits & Expenses When Teaching English in Myanmar
Here's a brief financial summary for living and teaching English in Myanmar:
| Hours, Salary & Expenses | English Teacher in Myanmar Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | $600-$1,000 USD per month (first-time teachers) $900 - $1,500 USD per month (experienced teachers) |
| Extra Income from Teaching English Online |
$5-20 USD an hour |
| Start-up Costs *Not including travel & TEFL Certification |
$1,000-$2,000 USD |
| Cost of Living | $600 - $800 USD per month |
| Savings Opportunity | $200-$300 USD per month (first-time teachers) Up to $500 (experienced teachers) |
What Are Start-Up Costs for Teaching English in Myanmar
Like most great endeavors in life, teaching English abroad in Myanmar or elsewhere will require some upfront financial investments.
1. TEFL Certification. If you are not already TEFL certified or otherwise qualified to professionally teach English in Myanmar. We recommend ITA’s Online TEFL Courses (lowest cost), and ITA's 4-week TEFL course in Yangon, Myanmar. Here is a complete TEFL Course Index. A quality, accredited TEFL course will typically cost $1400 - $2500, depending on which course you take.
2. Travel. Unlike schools in a country like South Korea, schools will not cover your travel to and from Myanmar. Travel costs can vary widely depending on how far you need to travel, seasonality, and other factors. You can typically expect to spend at least $500-$700 for travel to Myanmar from the U.S.
3. In-country Start-up Costs. Typically $1,000-$2,000 USD. You will typically need to cover at least 1-2 month's living expenses upon arrival in Myanmar to cover your costs until you start receiving. This will include housing and accommodations (including an initial deposit when you rent your apartment or house), food, local transport, weekend travel, processing any visa or work permit paperwork, and enjoying other fun stuff like nightlife and going out to eat.
Learn More: What Are Basic Start-Up Costs for Teaching English Abroad?
What Is The Cost of Living for English Teachers in Myanmar
Does $600 - $1,000 USD Seem Like a Low Monthly Salary for a first-time English teacher in Myanmar?
Six hundred US dollars a month may not seem like a livable wage in major US cities like San Francisco, Boston or Chicago, but the key to remember is that the costs of basic goods & services in Myanmar - including food, travel & rent - are typically a fraction of what you would expect to pay in the US or Western Europe. Rent in major cities is typically $100-$200 a month. You can eat well on $5-$10 a day (or less when you cook at home), and taxi rides are rarely more than $1-$2.
Top Tips for Saving Money while Teaching English in Myanmar
1. Get a roommate. You can likely comfortably afford your own place since rent is cheap $100-$200 a month), but you can likely save $75-$100 a month by splitting costs with a roommate. In addition, you will likely widen your social circle!
2. Teach English Online. You can earn $5-$20 an hour teaching English online, which can really add to your bottom line, especially given the local cost of living in Myanmar.
3. Learn to Live & Shop Like a Local. An easy way to eat through your budget (literally and figuratively) in a country like Myanmar is to eat, drink, and shop at establishments and locales that cater primarily to foreign tourists and expatriates. You will greatly increase your ability to save by learning how to shop and eat like the local Myanmarese. It's also great for enjoying a great cultural experience during your time in Myanmar.
Pro Tip! If you decide to teach English in Myanmar, it is highly recommended that your enroll in ITA's one-week in-person Myanmar Culture Course in Yangon. This highly interactive and engaging course not only introduces new English teachers to Myanmar's culture, language and history; it includes workshops and excursions where experienced teachers and guides will help you navigate daily life in Myanmar, including how to live and shop like a local to make the most of your experience and your budget.
How to Get a Job Teaching in Myanmar
So how can you get hired to teach English in Myanmar? If you choose to get TEFL certified with International TEFL Academy (ITA), as a student and graduate you'll receive comprehensive and lifetime Job Search Guidance, which will provide you with the resources and guidance you need to apply for top jobs and gain employment teaching English in Myanmar and in 80 countries worldwide. ITA's resources include detailed information about visas; resume/cover letter assistance; guidance for getting your criminal background check; contact information for schools in Myanmar; access to top ESL job boards; and referrals to top recruiters.
ITA's Guaranteed Job Placement Programs
For those willing to invest extra for additional levels of support and guarantee of a high-quality English teaching job in Myanmar, ITA offers our Guaranteed Job Placement Programs for Teaching English in Myanmar.
Note: ITA's Guaranteed Job Placement Program in Myanmar is open to those who do not have a college degree!
Additional Resources:
- Refer to the ITA Country Chart, which will give you the monthly average salaries, start-up costs, and the cost of living for English teachers in more than 50 countries worldwide, including Myanmar. These numbers are typically conservative figures and in fact, you can make more with your TEFL certification if that is a priority to your goal of living overseas.
- Looking for firsthand accounts from people teaching English in Asia? Visit our Alumni Stories to access hundreds of interviews, articles & videos from ITA graduates teaching English in Myanmar and throughout Asia.
- XE Currency Converter: An excellent site where you can see up-to-date currency conversions.
Go further:
Posted In: Teach English in Asia, Money & Finances, Teach English in Myanmar, Teach English in Myanmar - Must Read
Want to Learn More About Teaching English Abroad & Online?
Request a free brochure or call 773-634-9900 to speak with an expert advisor about all aspects of TEFL certification and teaching English abroad or online, including the hiring process, salaries, visas, TEFL class options, job placement assistance and more.
