Best Countries to Teach Abroad in 2026
Compare complete packages across destinations: base pay, housing, flights, tax context, estimated savings, and workplace reality from teachers who worked there.
A higher base salary can still mean lower savings once housing and tax are included. Use each guide to weigh the full offer, then open school pages for report counts and dates.
Teaching in Thailand
$2,000–$3,500/month · Est. savings $1,000–1,500/month with housing provided
Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations for international teachers in Asia. Low cost of living, strong expat community, and a teaching market that values licensed educators. Compare the complete package (housing, flights, tax, savings) and workplace reality, not base pay alone.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Bangkok
฿78,000 to ฿125,000 per month (interquartile range from submitted reports). Top tier IB and British schools push higher. · Est. savings Depends on rent support and lifestyle; many teachers save if housing is covered
Bangkok has one of the largest clusters of international schools in Southeast Asia — 30+ on this site alone, including International School Bangkok (ISB), Harrow Bangkok, Brighton College Bangkok, Concordian, and the American School of Bangkok. Teachers compare base pay (medians sit around ฿109,000/month for the schools reported here), housing support, and savings potential school by school. The salary table below is built from real submissions, not job-board guesses.
Package & salary guideTeaching in United Arab Emirates
$3,500–$6,000/month · Est. savings 50%+ of salary with housing provided
The UAE—Dubai and Abu Dhabi in particular—offers tax-free salaries, modern school facilities, and high savings potential. Competition is stiff; schools want licensed teachers with experience.
Package & salary guideTeaching in China
$2,500–$4,500/month · Est. savings $1,000–2,000/month with housing provided
China has one of the largest international school markets in the world. Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen host hundreds of schools. Salaries are competitive and housing is usually included.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Beijing
Wide range by school tier; check salary reports on each school page · Est. savings Depends on housing support, tax setup, and lifestyle
Beijing hosts many international and bilingual schools for expat and local families. Pay, housing support, and workload vary a lot by employer. This page links to official Chinese government English pages about work authorization, then points you to teacher reviews and salary reports here.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Shanghai
Wide range; top packages often include housing support · Est. savings Strongest when rent is covered or heavily subsidized
Shanghai has a dense market of international schools and strong demand for qualified teachers. Packages differ sharply by school. Use official government English sources to understand work authorization, then use our reviews and salary data to compare employers.
Package & salary guideTeaching in South Korea
$2,200–$3,800/month · Est. savings $1,000–2,000/month with housing provided
South Korea combines strong compensation packages with excellent infrastructure and a high quality of life. International schools in Seoul and Busan compete for licensed teachers.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Vietnam
$2,500–5,000/month at tier-1 international schools (ESL roles pay less) · Est. savings $500–1,200/month at international schools with housing
Vietnam's international school market is growing fast. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the most opportunities. Salaries are rising as schools compete for qualified teachers.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Saudi Arabia
SAR 9,000–22,000/month (~$2,400–5,900), tax-free · Est. savings Highest among teaching destinations; many save 60%+ with housing
Saudi Arabia offers among the highest salaries for international teachers, with tax-free income and generous benefits. Schools in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam recruit globally.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Qatar
QAR 10,000–24,000/month (~$2,750–6,600), tax-free · Est. savings Similar to UAE; many save 50%+ with housing provided
Qatar invests heavily in education and attracts teachers with tax-free salaries and modern facilities. Doha hosts most international schools. Competition for top roles is high.
Package & salary guideTeaching in Spain
€1,600–2,200/month (~$1,750–2,400), before tax · Est. savings Lower than Asia/Middle East; many prioritize lifestyle over savings
Spain appeals to teachers who want a European lifestyle over maximum savings. Salaries are lower than the Middle East or Asia, but the quality of life—food, culture, travel—is a major draw.
Package & salary guideReady to compare schools?
Open school pages for teacher-reported housing, flights, estimated savings, and workload notes, with sample size shown beside every summary.