Teacher Salary in China 

If you’re thinking about teaching abroad, you literally have the world to choose from. Within that market, Asia makes up 58% of international schools, according to the 2026 Global International Schools Snapshot. China is the largest market, with 1,117 international schools.

U.S. teaching licenses are a good starting point for teachers who want to work in China, and as you consider moving abroad, understanding the salary and cost of living is important. This post covers the ins and outs of teacher salaries along with factors that may impact pay and quality of life as an international teacher in China.

Average Teacher Salary in China

As a country, China is focused on bringing high-quality teachers to public, private, and international schools. While hiring and salaries peaked during the pandemic, the country is still committed to language and STEM education in particular. And, the sheer number of students and schools in China means there is always a demand for teachers.

The average teacher salary in China depends on the grade level you teach and your qualifications and experience. For example, the average salary for primary school teachers in China is about $31,700 USD per year (¥218,145), according to Payscale. That primary school salary ranges from about $16,000 USD for beginning teachers to $42,000 USD for more experienced teachers.

The cost of living is low in China, so an international teacher’s salary goes further. The Global Living Coalition estimated that in 2025, a family required $798 USD per month to live comfortably in China. This means that an international teacher earning the average $1,400 to $2,200 per month, per Go Overseas, could live comfortably.

Teacher Salaries in China by School Type

International teachers in China have options when it comes to where they teach. China has a variety of public schools, private language schools, and international schools. Each has a different structure for pay and benefits.

Public Schools

If you want to have a more authentic teaching experience in a traditional academic environment, public schools may be a good option. Public schools do pay less than their private or international counterparts, according to Go Overseas. Teachers can expect to earn between $900 USD and $2,200 USD per month in a public school in China.

On the plus side, public school teachers tend to work fewer hours (16-25 teaching hours per week) and get longer paid vacations and more holidays. Your public school may even give you free lunches.

Some downsides of the public-school route, according to Go Overseas: You may have larger class sizes and less support when it comes to applying for your work visa.

Private Language Schools

Salaries at private language schools range from $900 USD to $2,300 USD per month, slightly higher than public schools, and a fairly wide range, per Go Overseas. Private schools have more support systems than public schools and can help with applications and securing visas. And, they may offer more benefits such as free housing, flights, and insurance.

You can expect smaller class sizes but a larger range of ages, which could include adults.

International Schools

International schools pay the highest teacher salaries in China, according to Go Overseas. On average, a teacher at an international school can earn between $1,700 USD and $4,300 USD per month. Because these jobs are the highest paid, they’re also the most competitive and often require a teaching license or other credentials or experience that aren’t required by public schools.

Teachers at an international school can expect to work full 40-hour work weeks and teach children of expats and Chinese students who want a typical American, Canadian, or international course of study. These schools provide a range of education, beyond English, so you could teach anything from kindergarten to math to science.

How Much Foreign Teachers Earn in China

Foreign teachers typically earn an annual salary and allowances for housing and other benefits, according to Hired China. A teacher’s salary will vary by region and experience, with teachers who work in international schools earning the highest pay rates.

If you’re moving abroad to teach in China, it’s important to take into account the entire offer you get from a school, including benefits, as you make your decision.

Additional Benefits Teachers Receive in China

Depending on the school, you could receive:

• A housing allowance or provided housing. This is especially valuable in the largest cities in China, where housing can be expensive.
• Annual airfare to travel back home.
• International health insurance.
• Paid leave, including holidays and winter and summer vacations.
• Full or partial tuition for a teacher’s children to attend the school.
• A bonus after completing the contract or based on performance.
• Funds to attend professional development. 

Specific benefits will differ by school, so it’s important to read the fine print in any contract to understand exactly how much your full offer is worth.

Best-Paying Cities for Teachers in China

China is known for its huge metropolises. The cities are organized into tiers depending on how many people live in each city.

Tier 1 Cities

Tier 1 cities are the Big Four: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Each city has millions of residents and many schools. For example, in Shanghai alone, there are 46 international schools in the International Schools Database.

The cost of living is higher in the Big Four compared to other cities, and they also have the strictest requirements for teachers.

Teacher Salaries in Tier 1 Cities

	New Teachers (less than 2 years)	Experienced Teachers (2-5 years)	Veteran Teachers (5+ years)
Annual Salary	$32,000 to $44,500 USD	$41,700 to $58,300 USD	$52,800 to $66,700 USD

Source: HiredChina

Tier 2 Cities

Tier 2 cities are still large, with 3-15 million people. Examples include Chengdu, Guiyang, and Nanjing.

Teacher Salaries in Tier 2 Cities

	New Teachers (less than 2 years)	Experienced Teachers (2-5 years)	Veteran Teachers (5+ years)
Annual Salary	$27,800 to $39,000 USD	$36,100 to $48,600 USD	$45,800 to $59,700 USD

Source: Hired China

Tier 3 Cities

Tier 3 cities are smaller, with 150,000 to 3 million people. These include Jilin, Changzhou, Taizhou, and other cities. Schools in Tier 3 cities pay less, but there is also a lower cost of living.

Teacher Salaries in Tier 3 Cities

	New Teachers (less than 2 years)	Experienced Teachers (2+ years)
Annual Salary	$25,000 to $34,700 USD	$32,000 to $41,700 USD

Source: Hired China

Is Teaching in China Worth It?

You may want to teach in China for the cultural experience, or as a starting point to world travel. Either way, you’ll find high-quality schools with good pay and benefits that make it easy to teach, travel, and save money.

If you’re ready, you could earn your U.S. license from China — or from anywhere in the world — in as little as 9 months.

FAQs

How much do English or ESL teachers in China make?

Your salary for teaching English in China will vary depending on experience, credentials, and location. With a bachelor’s degree and a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, a new teacher could earn between $1,500 USD and $2,900 USD per month, according to HiredChina. A more experienced, licensed teacher at an international school could earn between $2,500 USD and $4,700 USD per month.

Again, these are wide ranges, and the details will vary depending on your specific situation.

How much do kindergarten teachers make in China?

A kindergarten teacher in China might earn between $3,195 USD and $4,200 USD per month, according to salaries posted on GlassDoor. This is an example from Shanghai; specific salaries will vary based on experience, credentials, and location.

How much do Spanish teachers in China make?

A Spanish teacher might expect an annual base salary of around $33,600 USD, according to Salary Expert. This will vary depending on qualifications, location, and experience. An entry-level teacher might earn $24,300 USD per year, for example, while a more experienced teacher could earn up to $38,900 USD.

How much do French teachers in China make?

A French teacher can expect a base salary of around $34,000 USD per year, according to Salary Expert. This will vary depending on qualifications, location, and experience. An entry-level teacher may earn $24,600 USD per year while a more experienced teacher may earn up to $40,000 USD per year.

How much do primary school teachers in China make?

The average salary for a primary school teacher in China is $31,600 USD per year, according to Payscale. That salary could vary widely, however, based on experience, credentials, and location.

How much do high school teachers in China make?

Payscale reports that high school teachers in China could earn around $33,695 USD per year. This will vary depending on qualifications, experience, and location.

How much do math teachers in China make?

Math teachers in China can expect an annual base salary of around $35,700 USD, according to Payscale. This will vary depending on qualifications, location, and experience.