How Much Do English Teachers Earn in China? Salaries, Perks and Reality
How Much Do English Teachers Earn in China? Salaries, Perks and Reality
Two teachers land in China the same month, both with a bachelor's degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate. One takes a university post in a smaller city at about 10,000 RMB a month with free housing. The other signs with a Shanghai training center at 20,000 RMB and pays 7,000 of it in rent. After a year, the first has saved more.
That is the real answer to "how much do English teachers earn in China": the headline salary matters less than the school type, the city and what the contract includes. This guide breaks down pay in 2026 so you can compare offers like an insider.
The short answer
Most first-year teachers with a degree and a TEFL earn roughly 10,000 to 25,000 RMB a month, which is about $1,400 to $3,500 at around 7.2 RMB to the US dollar. Licensed teachers at international schools can reach 25,000 to 45,000 RMB. Salary estimates vary between sources and change year to year, so treat every figure here as a range, not an offer.
Pay by type of school (2026)
| Employer | Typical monthly pay (RMB) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public schools | 10,000 to 20,000 | $1,400 to $2,800 | Set hours, co-teacher support, often housing |
| Training centers and language schools | 12,000 to 20,000 | $1,700 to $2,800 | Evening and weekend hours are common |
| Kindergartens | 16,000 to 25,000 | $2,200 to $3,500 | Energetic work with young children |
| Universities | 8,000 to 16,000 | $1,100 to $2,200 | Lower pay, lighter hours, free housing is common |
| Bilingual schools | 18,000 to 30,000 | $2,500 to $4,200 | Often prefer some experience |
| International schools | 25,000 to 45,000 | $3,500 to $6,250 | Usually need a teaching licence and classroom experience |
Salary guides disagree with each other by several thousand RMB in nearly every row, which is why the ranges are wide. Use them to judge whether an offer is in the right zone, then read the contract.
City tier changes the math
Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen post the highest salaries, with training-center pay in the biggest cities often landing around 15,000 to 25,000 RMB. Second-tier cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou and Wuhan typically pay about 10,000 to 18,000 RMB for similar work, but rent is far lower.
One recruiter's guide puts it neatly: a 16,000 RMB job in Chengdu with free housing often beats a 22,000 RMB job in Shanghai where rent eats 8,000. If saving money is the goal, compare the package after housing, not the number at the top of the offer.
What the package adds
Base salary is only part of what a good contract includes. Look for:
- Housing. Free housing or a monthly allowance is the most valuable perk, commonly worth several thousand RMB a month.
- Flights. Many employers reimburse a return flight, often paid at the end of the contract.
- Completion bonus. A bonus of about 5,000 to 15,000 RMB for finishing a full 12-month contract is common.
- Insurance and paid holidays. Employers usually provide some health coverage plus national holidays, and sometimes Mandarin lessons.
Ask for each item in writing before you sign. A vague "housing provided" can mean a private apartment or a shared dorm room.
What about tax?
Your salary is taxed. China uses progressive annual brackets for residents: 3 percent on the first 36,000 RMB of taxable income, 10 percent up to 144,000, 20 percent up to 300,000, and higher rates above that. You become a tax resident after 183 days in China in a tax year, and a standard deduction of 5,000 RMB a month (60,000 a year) applies before tax is calculated.
A quick example, ignoring social insurance and other deductions: 20,000 RMB a month is 240,000 a year. After the 60,000 deduction, 180,000 is taxable, which works out to about 19,000 RMB of tax for the year, roughly 8 percent of gross pay. Foreign residents have also been able to choose tax-free treatment of housing subsidies and language training through the end of 2027, so ask your employer how your contract is structured. For your own situation, confirm with a tax professional.
How much can you actually save?
Teachers in China commonly report saving roughly $500 to $1,500 a month, depending on salary, city and lifestyle. The biggest swing factor is rent. Teachers on free housing in smaller cities, who eat locally and use public transit, sit at the top of that range. Teachers paying their own rent in Shanghai or Beijing, and eating out often, sit at the bottom.
What you need to qualify
Before pay matters, you have to be legally hired. For a US or Canadian passport holder, the Z visa route for English teachers generally requires:
- A bachelor's degree in any subject.
- A TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate of at least 120 hours.
- A clean criminal background check, authenticated for use in China.
- A job with a licensed employer that can sponsor your work permit.
- Age within the employer's and province's limits, typically 18 to 60, with some regions capping teachers around 55.
Working on a tourist or business visa is illegal and can lead to fines and deportation. Plan on roughly one to two months from job offer to arrival, with document authentication taking the longest, and apply for your residence permit within 30 days of landing. Since the 2021 crackdown on for-profit academic tutoring, most legitimate jobs are in public schools, kindergartens, universities, bilingual schools and adult programs rather than after-school cram schools. Our guide to jobs in China for foreigners covers the wider market and the visa tiers in more detail.
Get certified before you go
Asia Pathway offers two online TEFL options for China through The TEFL Org, an Ofqual-regulated provider. There is no scholarship on these courses; the value is a recognised qualification you can finish before you leave.
- The 120-Hour Premier Online TEFL Course for China (about $549) meets the standard hour requirement for the Z visa.
- The 250-Hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma for China (about $849) is a stronger credential for competitive schools and longer teaching careers.
Browse every version on our TEFL programs page.
A different route to a higher salary
Teaching English is the fastest way into China, but it is not the only one. If your goal is a career there rather than a gap year, a degree from inside China changes your options. Wenzhou-Kean University offers dual Wenzhou-Kean and Kean University (New Jersey) bachelor's degrees taught in English, with scholarships available for international students. Graduates are better placed for the professional roles that pay well above teacher salaries.
If you are comparing countries, see our country-by-country guide to teaching English in Asia and our complete guide to TEFL. Already planning to study in China instead? Read about part-time jobs in China for international students.
Next step
Choosing between a TEFL year and a degree is easier with someone who knows the visa rules and hiring cycles. Book a free consultation and we will help you match a course and destination to your degree, timeline and budget.
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or immigration advice. Pay, visa rules and tax treatment change and vary by city and employer, so confirm current requirements with your employer and the relevant Chinese authorities.
