Last updated: February 2026
Teaching in China is a rewarding experience in more ways than you can imagine. Aside from the cultural, historical, and culinary enrichment, it can still be financially worthwhile too.
China has long been one of the better-paying destinations for foreign teachers. However, the market has shifted over the last few years. Salaries surged during COVID, corrected afterwards, and are now settling closer to pre-pandemic levels. That does not mean the opportunity is gone. It just means the market has matured.
So the real question remains the same:
How much money can you save teaching in China in 2026?
Most foreign teachers in China now save between USD 500 and USD 1,500 per month, depending on salary, city, and lifestyle choices.
Your saving potential depends on one simple equation: salary versus living costs.
This guide breaks down both, in detail.
Here’s what this guide will cover:
- Overview of Teaching Salaries in China
- Teaching Salary Averages – at a Glance
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- Kindergarten teaching salaries
- Training Centres teaching salaries
- University teaching salaries
- Public School’s teaching salaries
- International Schools’ teaching salaries
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- The Salary Package – What You Really Should be Looking at!
- Living Costs in China
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- The highest living costs in China
- The most affordable living costs in China
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Teaching salary averages in China (2026)
Here is a realistic snapshot of current monthly salaries after tax.
| School Type | Monthly Salary (RMB) | Typical Experience |
| Kindergarten | 20,000 – 30,000 | Entry to mid-level |
| Training centres | 16,000 – 25,000 | Entry level |
| Public schools | 16,000 – 24,000 | Entry to mid-level |
| Universities | 10,000 – 16,000 | Varies widely |
| Bilingual schools | 22,000 – 35,000 | 2–6 years |
| International schools | 28,000 – 45,000+ | Licensed teachers |
These figures reflect the teach English in China salary reality for 2026. COVID-era salaries of 30k–35k for inexperienced teachers were real, but they were temporary market distortions
Overview of Teaching Salaries in China
How much you earn teaching English in China depends on:
- Your teaching experience
- Your qualifications
- The type of school
- The city or region
- Current market demand
Demand remains uneven across the board: some private schools have closed or contracted, and some international schools have reduced enrolment. But this does not point to a market collapse, it’s more of a market correction. No need to hit the panic button!
Experienced teachers are still commanding strong salaries. Entry-level teachers can still find a teaching job in China, but expectations need to be realistic.
What Happened to Salaries After Covid
During the pandemic, many foreign teachers left China while borders were closed. Schools struggled to recruit and, in turn, salaries surged, especially in kindergartens and private schools. Some teachers earned extraordinary amounts for relatively modest experience.
That period has now passed.
Salaries have largely returned to pre-COVID levels. There are several reasons:
- Slower economic growth is affecting parents’ ability to pay for private education
- Fewer expat families relocating to China
- Government restructuring of private kindergartens
- Falling birth rates are impacting long-term enrolment
However, it is also true that living costs have remained relatively flat, with some reports of deflation in certain cities. That means real saving potential is still strong for teachers who manage their finances well.
The teaching in China market may have changed, but a fantastic opportunity remains for the right candidates.
Teaching Salary Averages at a Glance
Average: 20,000–30,000 RMB per month
Kindergarten teachers are still among the better-paid ESL roles in China, especially in large cities.
Private kindergartens generally offer higher salaries than public ones, but they are also more sensitive to market pressures. Some of the extreme salaries seen during COVID are no longer typical. For teachers with some experience and good classroom presence, kindergarten roles remain attractive, financially and professionally.
> Learn more about Kindergarten Teaching Jobs in China
Average: 16,000–25,000 RMB per month
Training centres generally pay less than schools, but they often offer lighter teaching loads and more flexible schedules.
These roles are popular with new teachers. However, the private tutoring market has tightened, and working on the side of your official contract can now carry real some legal risk.
> Learn more about Training Centre Jobs in China
Salaries for teaching in universities
between 10,000 – 16,000 RMB (USD 1,500 – 2,500)
Average: 10,000–16,000 RMB per month
University roles remain some of the lowest paid, but also some of the least demanding. Teachers often choose these roles for work-life balance rather than income.
If your goal is to maximise savings, university roles are not usually the best choice. If your goal is stability and free time, though, they can be excellent.
Learn more about University Jobs in China
Salaries for teaching in public schools
Average: 16,000–24,000 RMB per month
Public school salaries have improved significantly over the last decade. These roles are often easier to secure than international school positions and provide reasonable stability.
They suit teachers who want a more traditional academic environment without the pressures of private institutions.
> Learn more about Public School Teaching Jobs in China
Bilingual School Teaching Salaries
Average: 22,000–35,000 RMB per month
Bilingual schools offer higher salaries than public schools and training centres, but are generally less competitive than international schools.
These roles typically suit teachers with some classroom experience who want stronger earning potential without the at-times overwhelming intensity of top-tier international schools.
> Learn more about the different teaching jobs in China
International school teaching salaries
Average: 28,000–45,000+ RMB per month
International schools offer the highest salaries in China, but they are also the most competitive. Most require teaching licences, formal credentials, and experience.
These roles are closer to career teaching positions than ESL jobs. For qualified educators, this is where China still competes globally on salary.
> Learn more about International School teaching jobs in China
Why the salary package matters more than the salary
Many teachers focus only on monthly salary when calculating potential earnings but that’s a mistake.
Teaching in China is a package deal. The true value of a job includes:
- Housing or housing allowance
- Medical insurance
- Annual flight allowance
- Relocation reimbursement
- End-of-contract bonuses
A lower salary with generous housing support, for example, can outperform a higher salary with no benefits. Always evaluate the WHOLE offer.
From experience, we know that your housing costs will take up most of your budget if you live and work in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 city, where rent is expensive. Does your salary package include a housing allowance? If the school offers accommodation, is it shared, and is it suitable for you (and your family, if applicable)? These are essential questions to ask before signing any contract.
Medical insurance can also be costly in China, so check whether your employer contributes toward coverage and whether family members are included if you are relocating with dependents.
Most strong teaching positions offer an annual airfare allowance, which can make a real difference when it comes to visiting home. If you are moving with a partner or children, confirm whether their flights are covered as well.
Relocation reimbursements and end-of-contract bonuses are not always guaranteed, but together they can still amount to several thousand dollars, so they are well worth factoring into your overall decision.
Moral of the story – look at the whole picture and don’t just get stuck on one part of your salary package!
Living costs in China
The highest living costs in China
- Imported goods of any kind
Imported goods from the West, such as clothing, food, wine and cheese, have high import tariffs in China. As a result, locals pay a premium for these luxuries. Eating in an international restaurant, regardless of location, costs three to five times more than in a local, family-run restaurant. Even Pizza Hut is considered upmarket in China so it is even possible to spend a lot of money on very average Western food.
- Gym and/or personal trainers
Having a personal trainer and spending time building serious muscles is not as common in China as it is in the West. Both have become status symbols for the few locals who indulge, so expect to pay big yuan for that little luxury.
- Travel at peak-times
During Chinese New Year, flights and accommodation in China go through the roof due to the large number of people travelling to their hometowns to reunite with family. Usually, these services are affordable in the country, but this period is an exception.
- Upmarket, central apartments
Even though China is usually known for being relatively low-cost, that is not the case when it comes to luxury apartments in the CBD. If you choose to rent one of these apartments in a Tier 1 city, you may be paying the same amount as you would for a rental on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
Luckily, in China, every expensive option has a budget fix.
The most affordable living costs in China
- Public transport & taxis
Living in a suburban area in China is an ideal way to save money. Instead of owning a car, many expats opt to buy an e-bike if they are close to their school. Transportation like taxis and metro/bus rides only cost around USD 60 per month, or USD 30 if you don’t take taxis. This is a great way to save money while still being able to get around quickly. Plus, you can walk everywhere, burning those calories you would have burnt at the gym!
- Local meals
Expats rarely cook in China; if they do, it is often to cook a meal reminiscent of a favourite from home. The cost of purchasing the ingredients for one meal could buy a week’s worth of dinners from a local restaurant. Chinese culture encourages frequent eating out, so six nights a week may be spent at a local eatery with friends. This is a great way to save money and enjoy delicious food!
- Local groceries (especially fresh produce)
When moving to China, you should locate the nearest fresh produce market to get delicious and affordable meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Exploring new flavours is a great way to enjoy your time in China, and shopping at a local market can help you keep your living expenses low.
- Local beers
Tsingtao is the most well-known beer in China, but each province has a unique local brewery worth discovering. If you live in a large city, you can buy the most popular beer brands from all over the country. Swap that French Bordeaux for a local beer and you will save loads.
- Outer suburb apartment
You don’t need to move far from the CBD of any city to in instantly slash your rental costs. If saving is a priority, moving just 15 minutes outside the city centre is arguably the most critical ‘cost saving’ tactic you should adopt. You can save even more money by choosing a clean, comfortable two-bedroom apartment rather than a penthouse. Public transportation is excellent and affordable, so living outside the city centre should not be a problem.
- Off-peak travel
If you stay home for the Chinese New Year and book your trips during the off-season, you’ll find incredible deals on travel in China, both domestically and abroad. A weekend getaway to Bangkok or Seoul could cost as little as a few hundred dollars, so you can enjoy it frequently. Plus, if you save money by eating locally and not hiring a personal trainer, why not spend those savings on travel? China’s central location in Asia makes it the perfect place to take advantage of low-cost trips!
At a glance, it’s easy to see that China is affordable if you keep it ‘local’. Eat, drink and do as the locals do, and your monthly living costs will be just a fraction of what they are back home. Coupled with impressive teaching salaries, your saving potential working as a teacher in China are reason enough to move here!
Frequently asked questions
How much do teachers earn in China in 2026?
Most teachers earn between 15,000 and 30,000 RMB per month depending on school type, location, and experience.
Are salaries going down?
Salaries have corrected from COVID peaks but are not collapsing. The market seems to have stabilised.
Can inexperienced teachers still earn well?
Yes, but entry-level teachers should expect mid-range salaries, not the extreme highs seen during the pandemic.
Which schools pay the most?
International schools and prominent kindergarten and bilingual schools pay the highest salaries in China.
Is teaching in China still financially worth it?
For many teachers, yes! With sensible spending, savings of USD 600–1,500 per month remain realistic.
China may no longer be the chaotic gold rush it briefly became during COVID, and that’s a good thing. The current market rewards experience, professionalism, and realistic expectations. Teachers who stay long-term, manage their costs wisely, and choose schools carefully can still save significant money while living a rich and interesting life.
Submit your CV today if you’d love some help in finding your dream job in this sensational country.
