TEFL Salary Explained: How Much Can You Make Teaching English Abroad?
A teaching English abroad salary will vary based on multiple factors, including your qualifications and the countries you wish to teach in. Let's take a deeper look at how much TEFL teachers make overseas.
Written By: John Bentley | Updated: December 19, 2023
Written By: John Bentley
Updated: December 19, 2023
So, you're curious about teaching English abroad salaries? Let's cut to the chase: You don't become an English teacher overseas for the money. For our ESL teachers diving into their TEFL careers, financial incentives aren't at the forefront. Instead, it's the transformative experiences, personal development, cultural immersion, and contributing to local communities that stand out as the main motivations.
That being said, you can get paid to teach English abroad and earn a reasonable salary. Not to mention living a comfortable lifestyle too. Below are the findings from our thorough research on TEFL teacher salaries, derived from data collected across various teaching destinations and insights shared by ESL teachers and educators actively engaged in teaching English abroad.
Decoding Teaching English Abroad Salaries: What You Need to Know
Teaching English abroad involves diverse financial aspects beyond a TEFL salary, including local living costs, benefits, and the impact of currency exchange rates on perceived income. While monetary gain isn't the primary motivation, understanding the financial dynamics beyond your teaching abroad salary is crucial for ESL teachers considering opportunities abroad.
Let's start by addressing a few of your questions:
How Much Does it Pay to Teach English Abroad?
The pay to teach English abroad varies, but you can expect to earn a decent salary. In top-paying countries, teachers can get paid a salary of anywhere from $2,000 to over $5,000 USD per month. Your TEFL salary will depend on your position, qualifications and the country you teach in.
Read more: Top 5 highest-paying countries for teaching English abroad
Does Teaching English Abroad Pay Well?
Teaching English is not the most lucrative job, but a first-time English teacher can expect to at least break even and live comfortably. In many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, even first-time English teachers can make enough to save 30%-50% of their income after expenses ($500 - $2,000 USD).
Next, remember to keep in mind factors such as experience, location, education, the cost of living and potential benefits that come with your English teacher abroad salary. Let's look at these below.
Unraveling TEFL Salaries: Beyond Your Paycheck
How much you can earn teaching English abroad depends on various factors:
- Your Teaching Location
- Your Experience Level
- Your Additional Qualifications
- Your TEFL Certification
- Employer Benefits
Let's take a look at these in detail:
The Geographical Region Where You Teach English
ESL teacher salaries abroad vary significantly from one country to another, and sometimes within a single country from one city to the next.
Foreign English teacher salaries are typically, though not always, paid in local currency. Therefore, they should be viewed through the prism of the local cost of living. This means that an English teacher who earns $1,000 USD a month in Peru will enjoy the same standard of living as a teacher in Madrid who earns 2,000 Euros a month. Why? While the teacher in Madrid earns more in absolute terms, the cost of living is higher in Spain than it is in Peru.
Greater earning potentials are often observed in Asia and the Middle East. Aim your TEFL career for these countries for considerable savings opportunities.
Read more: The Best Countries for Teaching English Abroad
Your Accumulated Teaching Experience
The greater your teaching experience, the higher your salary can be. For instance, the Middle East is known to offer some of the highest English teacher salaries. However, it is a very competitive market and employers in the Middle East seek teachers with extensive experience.
Read more: Can I Teach English Abroad Without Any Teaching Experience?
Your Other Educational or Professional Credentials
Possessing a college degree expands your opportunities, facilitates getting an English teaching job, and increases your chances of earning a higher TEFL teacher salary in most TEFL markets worldwide. However, lacking a degree doesn't mean the end of your TEFL career. There are many countries where you can teach English without a college degree.
The Possession of a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certification
For any TEFL certification course provider to claim that their program guarantees higher earnings would be misleading. However, discrepancies arise when opting for a budget TEFL course, such as those promoted on platforms like Groupon. These courses, offered at remarkably low prices, often come with hidden expenses, lack adequate tutor or customer support, and frequently lack proper accreditation.
Recruiters and employers worldwide typically prioritize reputable and accredited TEFL certifications. Without accreditation, you might encounter challenges in securing employment, limiting your job options, and potentially settling for lower pay.
Read more: 7 Critical Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing The Best TEFL Course
Employer Benefits (Vary from Region to Region and Job to Job)
You cannot consider how much TEFL teachers make without including your potential employer benefits. Schools in some countries provide national health insurance and paid vacation time. In other cases, employers provide free accommodation and utilities to help teachers with living expenses. Another perk could include the reimbursement of airfare. Such benefits will vary from region to region and job to job.
Read more: What are the benefits of teaching English abroad?
Now that you understand the intricacies of an English teacher abroad salary, let's break the finances down per country and have a closer look at these salaries and benefits on the TEFL market worldwide.
English Teacher Salaries by Country
We've broken down the TEFL markets per region and put the data together in these easy-to-digest tables below. You will be able to compare these teaching abroad salaries per country side-by-side.
You can also download a more comprehensive overview as a PDF for free from our Country Comparison Chart.
TEFL Salaries in Asia
Teaching abroad salaries in Asia will typically enable you to save between 30%-50% of your salary after expenses. This can range from $200-$300 USD a month in a country like Thailand to $500-$800 USD a month in Japan, and to $1,000 USD or more a month in South Korea.
The range in savings will be determined in part by your salary compared to the local cost of living and by the exchange rate between US Dollars (whatever your native currency is) and the local currency in which you will be paid.
Going Further: Teaching English in Asia
Some examples of monthly teaching abroad salaries you can earn in Asia include:
| COUNTRY | Average Monthly Cost of Living in $ USD & Local Currency | Average Monthly Salary in $ USD & Local Currency | Estimated Start-up Costs | Housing | Reimbursed Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | $500 - 1,000 USD (1,997,500 - 3,995,000 KHR) | $700 - 1,000 USD (2,796,500 - 3,995,000 KHR) Can save $200 - 500 USD/Mo | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (3,995,000 - 5,992,500KHR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| China | $650 - 1,100 USD (4,350 - 7,350 RMB) Plus housing | $1,250 - 2,850 USD plus free housing. (8,400 - 19,100 RMB) Can save $600 - 1,750 USD/Mo | $1,000 - 2,000 USD (6,700 - 13,400 RMB) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Hong Kong | $2,300 - 5,000 USD (18,000 - 39,000 HKD) | $2,300 - 3,000 USD (18,000 - 23,250 HKD) Can save $400 - 600 USD/Mo | $2,000 - 3,000 USD (15,700 - 23,250 HKD) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | Sometimes |
| Indonesia | $550 - 850 USD (7,330,000 - 12,000,000 IDR) | $650 - 1,050 USD (9,300,000 - 14,700,000 IDR) | $700 - 1,100 USD (9,790,050 - 15,384,350 IDR) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | Sometimes |
| Japan | $800 - 2,000 USD (88,650 - 221,650 JPY) Plus housing | $1,500 - 2,500 USD (166,250 - 277,050 JPY) Can save $500 - 700 USD/Mo | $2,500 - 3,000 USD (277,050 - 332,500 JPY) | Some free housing or housing subsidy | No |
| Kazakhstan | $700 - 850 USD (253,000 - 316,000 KZT) | $350 - 1,250 USD (126,000 - 474,000 KZT) | $800 - 1,000 USD (301,050 - 376,300 KZT) | Some Free Housing | No/Some return flight |
| Kyrgyzstan | $400 - 800 USD (27,000 - 54,000 KGS) | $400 - 800 USD (27,000 - 54,000 KGS) | $800 - 1,000 USD (54,000 - 68,000 KGS) | Some Free Housing | No |
| Laos | $500 - $1,000 USD (4,180,000 LAK - 8,360,000 LAK) | $500 - $1,000 USD (4,180,000 LAK - 8,360,000 LAK) | $1,000 - $1,500 USD (8,360,000 LAK - 12,540,000 LAK) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Malaysia | $900 - 1,800 USD (3,500 - 7,000 MRY) | $1,200 - 2,300 USD (4,700 - 9,000 MRY) | $1,350 - 2,700 USD (5,300 - 10,550 MRY) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Myanmar | $650 - $800 USD (1,027,400 - 1,232,900 MMK) | $900 - $1,800 USD (1,371,200 - 2,739,700 MMK) | $1,100 - 2,000 USD (1,676,500 - 3,048,200 MMK) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Singapore | $2,750 - 3,400 USD (3,700 - 4,600 SGD) | $2,750 - 3,550 USD (3,700 - 4,800 SGD) | $5,500 - 6,800 USD (7,450 - 9,200 SGD)) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| South Korea | $650 - 900 USD (730,600 - 1,010,500 KRW) Plus housing | $1,850 - 2,500 USD (2,100,000 - 2,807,000 KRW) Plus free Housing Can save $1,200 - $1,600 USD/Mo | $1,000 - 2,000 USD (1,122,850 - 2,245,650 KRW) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | One way or round trip |
| Taiwan | $500 - 1,500 USD (15,400 - 46,150 TWD) | $1,000 - 2,000 USD (30,800 - 61,500 TWD) Can save up to $500 USD/Mo | $1,500 - 2,500 USD (46,150 - 76,900 TWD) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Thailand | $500 - 800 USD (15,700 - 25,100 THB) | $950 - 1,500 USD (30,000 - 47,000 THB) Can save $450 - $700 USD/Mo | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (31,350 - 47,000 THB) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Vietnam | $500 - 900 USD (11,605,000 - 20,889,000 VND) | $1,100 - 1,500 USD (25,049,500 - 35,000,000 VND) Can save up to $600 USD/Mo | $1,000 - 2,000 USD (22,772,000 - 46,404,950 VND) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
Watch ITA alumna Emilie discuss how she gets paid to teach English abroad, as well as the cost of living as an English teacher in Chiang Mai, Thailand:
TEFL Salaries in Europe
Teaching English abroad salaries in Europe typically allow expatriate English teachers to live comfortably in an apartment, cover basic expenses, dine out, travel by public transportation and have some extra money to travel and pursue other interests.
In most cases, first-time English teacher salaries will not enable you to save extensive sums. However, private lessons are in high demand and provide excellent opportunities for English teachers to earn additional income.
Going Further: Teaching English in Europe
Some examples of monthly TEFL salaries you can earn in Europe include:
|
COUNTRY |
Average Monthly Cost of Living in $ USD & Local Currency |
Average Monthly Salary in $ USD & Local Currency |
Estimated Start-up Costs |
Housing |
Reimbursed Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$1,700 - 2,500 USD (1,500 - 2,200 EUR) |
$1,800 - 2,500 USD (1,600 - 2,200 EUR) |
$2,550 - 3,800 USD (2,300 - 3,400 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$1,500 - 2,000 USD (1,300 - 1,800 EUR) |
$1,500 - 2,000 USD (1,300 - 1,800 EUR) |
$2,250 - 3,000 USD (2,000 - 2,800 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$650 - 950 USD (1,150 - 1,650 BGN) |
$650 - 950 USD (1,150 - 1,650 BGN) |
$1,000 - 1,450 USD (1,700 - 2,500 BGN) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$900 - 1,300 USD (6,000 - 8,400 HRK) |
$900 - 1,300 USD (6,000 - 8,400 HRK) |
$1,350 - 2,000 USD (9,000 - 13,100 HRK) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$800 - 1,600 USD (18,000 - 37,000 CZK) |
$1,000 - 1,500 USD (23,000 - 34,000 CZK) |
$2,400 - 4,500 USD (55,000 - 103,000 CZK) **Zivno Visa costs not included |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$1,400 - 2,300 USD (1,200 - 2,000 EUR) |
$800 - 1,800 USD (700 - 1,600 EUR) *TAPIF Stipend: 965 EUR |
$2,100 - 3.500 USD (1,900 - 3,100 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$220 USD (600 GEL) *Stipend for TLG |
$220 USD (600 GEL) *Stipend for TLG |
$300 - 400 USD (800 GEL - 1,100 GEL) |
Housing provided by TLG program |
Yes |
|
|
$1,100 - 2,000 USD (1,000 - 1,800 EUR) |
$1,000 - 2,200 USD (900 - 1,950 EUR) |
$3,000 - 4,500 USD (2,600 - 4,000 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$800 - 1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 EUR) |
$800 - 1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 EUR) |
$1,200 - 2,000 USD (1,000 - 1,800 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$600 - 900 USD (167,800 - 252,700 HUF) |
$600 - 900 USD (167,800 - 252,700 HUF) |
$1,050 - 1,450 USD (265,450 - 366,600 HUF) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$900 - 1,150 USD (800 - 1,000 EUR) |
$900-1500 USD (800 - 1,300 EUR) |
$1,200 - $2,100 USD (1,050 - 1,850 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$500 - 900 USD (450 - 800 EUR) |
$500 - 900 USD (450 - 800 EUR) |
$900 - 1,500 USD (800 - 1,300 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$750 - 1,000 USD (2,500 - 3,400 PLN) |
$750 - 1,050 USD (2,500 - 3,600 PLN) |
$900 - 1,800 USD (3,450 - 6,900 PLN)) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$1,300 - 1,700 USD (1,150 - 1,500 EUR) |
$1,300 – 1,700 USD (1,050 - 1,500 EUR) |
$2,300 - 2,900 USD (2,000 - 2,550 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$500 - 800 USD (2,100 - 3,350 RON) |
$300 - 1,000 USD (1,250 - 4,200 RON)) |
$600 - 1500 USD (2,500 - 6,300 RON) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$500 - 1,000 USD (32,700 - 65,500 RUB) |
$500 - 1,400 USD (32,700 - 91,700 RUB) |
$1,000 - 1,800 USD (65,500 - 117,800 RUB) |
Some Free Housing |
No/Some return flight |
|
|
$500 - 800 USD (450 - 700 EUR) |
$500 - 800 USD (450 - 700 EUR) |
$1,100 - 1,700 USD (1000 - 1,500 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$850 - 1,250 USD (750 - 1,100 EUR) |
$850 - 1,250 USD (750 - 1,100 EUR) |
$1,200 - 1,850 USD (1,050 - 1,600 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$500 - 1,000 USD (450 - 900 EUR) |
$800- 1,500 USD (700 - 1,300 EUR) |
$1,700 - 2,850 USD (1,500 - 2,500 EUR) |
Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer |
No |
|
|
$550 - 900 USD (3,000 - 4,800 TRY) |
$550 - 1,150 USD (3,000 - 6,200 TRY) |
$1,100 - 1,800 USD (5,850 - 9,600 TRY) |
Some free housing or housing subsidy |
No |
|
|
$600 - $925 USD (16,000 - 25,000 UAH) |
$600 - $925 USD (16,000 - 25,000 UAH) |
$1,200 - 1,800 USD (32,425 - 48,650 UAH) |
Some Free Housing |
No |
Watch ITA alumna Julie discuss her ESL teacher salary and cost of living as an English teacher in Madrid, Spain:
TEFL Salaries in Latin America
Teaching English abroad salaries in Europe typically allow expatriate English teachers to live comfortably in an apartment, cover basic expenses, dine out, travel by public transportation and have some extra money to travel and pursue other interests.
In most cases, first-time English teacher salaries will not enable you to save extensive sums. However, private lessons are in high demand and provide excellent opportunities for English teachers to earn additional income.
Going Further:
Some examples of monthly TEFL salaries you can earn in Latin America include:
| COUNTRY | Average Monthly Cost of Living in $ USD & Local Currency | Average Monthly Salary in $ USD & Local Currency | Estimated Start-up Costs | Housing | Reimbursed Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | $800 - 1200 USD (31,200 - 47,000 ARS) | $600 - 1100 USD (23,500 - 43,000 ARS) | $1,500 - 2,500 USD (58,600 - 97,700 ARS) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Bolivia | $500 - 700 USD (3,500 - 4,900 BOB) | $500 - 900 USD (3,500 - 6,200BOB) | $1,000 - 1,200 USD (6,900 - 8,300 BOB) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Brazil | $800 - 1,300 USD (3,000 - 4,800 BRL) | $800 - 1,300 USD (3,000 - 4,800 BRL) | $1,200 - 2,000 USD (4,400 - 7,400 BRL) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Chile | $650 - 1,000 USD (425,000 - 650,000 CLP) | $750 - 1,000 USD (490,000 - 650,000 CLP) | $1,850 - 2,250 USD (1,200,000 - 1,500,000 CLP) Includes a $720 visa fee that teacher must pay for in Chile. | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Colombia | $500 - 1,050 USD (1,550,000 - 3,250,000 COP) | $500 - 1,050 USD (1,550,000 - 3,250,000 COP) | $1,000 - 1,600 USD (3,100,000 - 5,000,000 COP) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Costa Rica | $700 - 900 USD (397,000 - 510,000 CRC) | $700 - 900 USD (430,000 - 550,000 CRC) | $1,200 - 1,800 USD (729,000 - 1,100,000 CRC) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Dominican Republic | $500 - $800 USD (24,700 - 40,000 DOP) | $500 - $800 USD (24,700 - 40,000 DOP) | $1,000 - 1,200 USD (49,300 - 60,000 DOP) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Ecuador | $500 - 800 USD | $500 - 800 USD | $1,000 - 1,200 USD | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Guatemala | $500 - $600 USD (3,700 - 4,400 GTQ) | $500 - $600 USD (3,700 - 4,400 GTQ) | $1,000 - $1,200 (7,700 - 9,250 GTQ) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Honduras | $400 - $600 (9,450 - 14,200 HNL | $500 - $800 (11,800 - 18,900 HNL) | $1,000 - $1,200 (23,600 - 28,300 HNL) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Mexico | $500 - 800 USD (9,300 - 15,000 MXN) | $500 - 800 USD (9,300 - 15,000 MXN) | $1,300 - 1,800 USD (25,000 - 34,650 MXN) Includes a $400 work visa fee.. | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Nicaragua | $300 - 600 USD (9,400 - 18,800 NIO) | $300 - 600 USD (9,400 - 18,800 NIO) | $1,000 - 1,200 USD (32,650 - 39,150 NIO) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Panama | $900 - 1,300 USD | $900 - 1,300 USD | $1,350 - 2,000 USD | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Peru | $500 - 1,000 USD (1,650 - 3,300 PEN) | $500 - 1,000 USD (1,650 - 3,300 PEN) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (3,300 - 4,900 PEN) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Uruguay | $900 - 1,300 USD (30,100 - 42,000 UYU) | $900 - 1,300 USD (30,100 - 42,000 UYU) | $1,600 - 2,200 USD (52,300 - 71,900 UYU) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
Watch ITA alumnus Michael Watts discuss his teaching abroad salary and cost of living as an English teacher in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:
TEFL Salaries in the Middle East
English teacher salaries abroad in the UAE, and other Persian Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain are some of the highest in the world as pay can range from $1,500 - $5,000 a month, with benefits including free housing, paid vacation, health insurance and flights to and from the teacher’s home country.
It must be noted that these job markets are smaller and more competitive than those in Latin America, Asia and Europe. Many language schools in the UAE and other Gulf countries will only hire teachers with extra experience and qualifications (education degree, a national or state teaching certification and/or some professional background in education) in addition to an accredited TEFL certification.
In less developed countries like Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Turkey, English teacher salaries will typically enable first-time teachers to earn enough to support themselves comfortably, but should not expect to save much, if at all. In such countries, the cost of living is usually low and advanced teaching credentials are not required. In Turkey, some teachers may even receive a stipend for airfare or housing.
Some examples of monthly teaching English abroad salaries you can earn in the Middle East include:
| COUNTRY | Average Monthly Cost of Living in $ USD & Local Currency | Average Monthly Salary in $ USD & Local Currency | Estimated Start-up Costs | Housing | Reimbursed Airfare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | $650 - 1,050 USD (250 - 400 BHD) Plus housing | $1,500 - 3,000 USD (550 - 1,100 BHD) Can save $800+ USD/Mo | $1,100 - 1,500 USD (400 - 550 BHD) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Egypt | $300 - 700 USD (5,200 - 12,300 EGP) | $300 - 700 USD (5,200 - 12,300 EGP) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (17,600 - 26,400 EGP) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | Rarely |
| Israel | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (3,500 - 5,500 ILS) | $700 - 1,500 USD (2,500 - 5,500 ILS) | $1,500 - 2,000 USD (5,400 - 7,300 ILS) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | Rarely |
| Jordan | $650 - 1,000 USD (450 - 700 JOD) | $650 - 1,200 USD (450 - 850 JOD) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (700 - 1,050 JOD) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | Rarely |
| Kuwait | $650 - 1,000 USD (200 - 300 KWD) Plus housing | $1,500 - 3,300 USD (450 - 1,000 KWD) Can save $850+ USD/Mo | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (300 - 450 KWD) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Lebanon | $900 - 1,500 USD (1,400,000 - 2,300,000 LBP) | $900 - 1,500 USD (1,400,000 - 2,300,000 LBP) | $1,800 - 3,000 USD (2,700,000 - 4,500,000 LBP) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Morocco | $500 - 1,000 USD (4,600 - 9,500 MAD) | $500 - 1,000 USD (4,600 - 9,500 MAD) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (9,500 - 14,300 MAD) | Self-pay, Housing advice provided by employer | No |
| Oman | $800 - 1,550 USD (300 - 600 OMR) Plus housing | $1,600 - 3,100 USD (600 - 1,200 OMR) Can save $800+ USD/Mo | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (400 - 600 OMR) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Qatar | $800 - 2,000 USD (2,900 - 7,300 QAR) Plus housing | $1,600 - 4,000 USD (5,800 - 14,600 QAR) Can save $800+ USD/Mo | $1,500 - 2,500 USD (5,500 - 9,100 QAR) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | $700 - 1,000 USD (2,600 - 3,750 SAR) Plus housing | $1,500 - 3,000 USD (5,600 - 11,250 SAR) Can save $800+ USD/Mo | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (3,750 - 5,600 SAR) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
| Turkey | $550 - 900 USD (3,000 - 4,800 TRY) | $550 - 1,150 USD (3,000 - 6,200 TRY) | $1,100 - 1,800 USD (5,850 - 9,600 TRY) | Some free housing or housing subsidy | No |
| UAE (including Dubai & Abu Dhabi) | $1,000 - 1,500 USD (3,700 - 5,500 AED) Plus housing | $1,800 - 5,000 USD (6,700 - 18,500 AED) Can save $800+ USD/Mo | $1,500 - 2,500 USD (5,500 - 9,200 AED) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | Yes |
Watch ITA alumna Katie discuss her ESL teacher salary and cost of living as an English teacher in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE:
Teaching English abroad is a gateway to diverse cultures, personal growth, and rewarding experiences. While TEFL salaries vary across regions, understanding factors such as the local cost of living, experience, benefits and qualifications is crucial for assessing the actual financial value of these English teaching opportunities.
Posted In: Money & Finances, Money & Finances Must Read
John Bentley
Co-Founder at International TEFL Academy
John Bentley is Co-Founder & Senior Writer for International TEFL Academy (ITA), the world leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad. A graduate of Harvard University and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern, John is a recognized expert in the field of TEFL. His articles have appeared across the field's top websites, including GoAbroad.com, StudyAbroad.com, InterExchange, GoOverseas.com, Adventure Teaching, & many others. He has also spoken as an expert on Teaching English Abroad & TEFL certification at major conferences like MeetPlanGo and Lessons from Abroad (LFA) in Portland & San Diego.
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