CNAsia
Teaching in Beijing (International Schools)
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.
Why teach in Beijing
- Large pool of schools and curricula in one city
- Strong public transport and cultural resources
- Employers usually sponsor the Z visa and work permit process for hired teachers
- Chance to teach IB, AP, British, or American style programs
- Many teachers build savings when housing is part of the package
Salary and benefits
Typical salary range
Wide range by school tier; check salary reports on each school page
Contract length
Two years is common; some schools offer one year first
Savings potential
Depends on housing support, tax setup, and lifestyle
Cost of living
High for housing if you pay rent yourself. School housing or a solid allowance changes the picture. Local food can still be affordable.
Typical benefits
- Housing or allowance at many international schools
- Visa and work permit support through the employer
- Health insurance at many employers
- Flights or flight allowance on some contracts
- Professional development at stronger schools
Cost of living (approximate)
- Mid range one bedroom rent (if not provided)
- Roughly 6,000 to 12,000 yuan per month or more by district
- Metro rides
- Low per trip with a transit card
- Simple restaurant meal
- Often 30 to 80 yuan
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree at minimum for legal work routes in most cases
- Teaching license or qualifications your employer needs for their program
- Often two years of experience for the Z visa category; your school confirms
- Clean criminal record check as part of visa paperwork
- Authenticated documents; your school or a visa agent walks you through timing
Common curricula
IB, AP, British (IGCSE, A-Levels), American. Schools specify their curriculum in job postings.
Main cities for teaching
Beijing. Hiring season: October-April for many August starts; some hiring year round.
Featured schools in Beijing
Schools with the most salary data from teachers
Yew Chung International School of Beijing
Beijing
3 salary reports
View schoolInternational School of Beijing
Beijing
3 salary reports
View schoolDulwich College Beijing
Beijing
3 salary reports
View schoolWestern Academy of Beijing
Beijing
2 salary reports
View schoolBeijing BISS International School
Beijing
2 salary reports
View schoolHarrow International School Beijing
Beijing
2 salary reports
View schoolThings to know
- Air quality varies; check AQI on sensitive days
- VPN access is often needed for Western sites; ask your school what they support
- Paperwork and authentication take time; start early
- Traffic and commute length matter when you pick housing
Useful resources
- National Immigration Administration (English) summarizes how foreigners apply for a Z visa and work permission in China. Read employment rules for foreigners
- The Beijing municipal English site lists steps for foreign professionals: work permit notice, Z visa, then permit after entry. Open the Beijing quick guide for foreign professionals
Frequently asked questions
- Who handles my Z visa and work permit?
- Your employer in China normally leads the process after you sign a contract. Follow their timeline and use official government pages to understand the steps.
- Do I need to speak Chinese to teach in an international school in Beijing?
- Classroom language is usually English. Basic Mandarin still helps for daily life outside school.
- How do I compare schools in Beijing?
- Use our list filtered for Beijing and China. Read salary reports and reviews on each school page, then confirm facts on the school's own website.
- Is this site part of the Chinese government?
- No. We are an independent teacher review site. We link to official pages so you can verify visa and permit rules yourself.
Research schools before you accept
Compare teacher reviews and salary data at international schools in Beijing. Sign up free—no paywall.