Teaching in China
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.
How to use this guide: Salary ranges mix published market guidance with teacher-reported figures. Prefer reports that show year, city tier, role, and whether pay is gross or net, and weigh sample size before treating a median as definitive. How we handle data.
Teacher salaries in China, from real reports
Based on 65 anonymous teacher salary reports across 89 international schools in China. Figures are monthly base pay in Yuan Renminbi, with the top and bottom 5% trimmed. Compare housing, flights, tax context, and estimated savings on each school page before treating a median as the full picture.
| Role | Reports | Median (Yuan Renminbi / month) |
|---|---|---|
| Homeroom | 7 | 30,000 |
| Arts | 2 | 28,575 |
| Math | 2 | 37,900 |
| Science | 2 | 28,500 |
| Primary | 2 | 29,000 |
Sourced from teachers who worked at these schools. Medians are base pay only. Per-report breakdowns (housing, flights, estimated savings, tax) are on each school's page. How we handle data.
Why teach in China
- Large job market—constant demand for qualified teachers
- Competitive salaries with housing often included
- Exposure to IB, AP, and British curricula
- Cultural immersion and language learning
- Strong expat communities in major cities
Salary, package, and savings
Base salary alone is misleading across countries. Housing, tax, flights, insurance, and estimated savings change which offer is actually better.
Who this is for: A strong savings posting at tier-1 international schools when housing is included. Base of roughly $2,500–4,500/month stretches further with school housing. Tier-2 cities and bilingual programs often pay less, so school type matters as much as the country label.
Teacher-reported / market estimate, not a guarantee
- Housing or housing allowance (common)
- Annual flights
- Health insurance
- Visa and work permit support
- Relocation allowance (many schools)
- Base salary (international schools)
- $2,500–4,500/mo
- Housing
- Provided or allowance (common)
- Flights
- Annual flights (typical)
- Health insurance
- Employer-provided
- Relocation / visa
- Allowance and Z-visa support at many schools
China taxes employment income. Ask whether an offer is gross or net, and how individual income tax is handled on your contract. Housing provided vs a cash allowance, plus tier (Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen vs smaller cities), usually moves take-home more than a small base bump.
A teacher on about $3,500/month with housing provided, spending moderately on food and metro, often estimates $1,000–2,000/month in savings. Without housing, Shanghai rent of roughly ¥6,000–12,000 can erase most of that. Savings figures are estimates, not guarantees, and tier-2 packages save less.
- 1-bedroom apartment (Shanghai, if not provided)
- ¥6,000–12,000 (~$850–1,700/mo)
- Meal at local restaurant
- ¥30–80 (~$4–11)
- Monthly metro pass
- ¥200 (~$28)
- Utilities
- ¥300–500 (~$42–70)
Workplace reality to research
Compensation decides whether an offer works financially. These factors decide whether it works day to day. Check school pages for teacher-reported details.
- Workload, meeting culture, and after-school expectations vary sharply between premium international schools and bilingual campuses.
- Leadership stability and admin support differ by employer; ask current teachers about contact hours and observation load.
- Class sizes, TA support, and resources track school tier; confirm what 'international' means for your campus.
Requirements
- Teaching license from home country
- Bachelor's degree (minimum)
- 2+ years experience typically required for Z visa
- Clean criminal record; authenticated degree required
Common curricula
IB, AP, British (IGCSE, A-Levels), American. Schools specify their curriculum in job postings.
Main cities for teaching
Shanghai international schools, Beijing international schools, Shenzhen international schools, Guangzhou international schools, Suzhou. Hiring season: October–April for August start; rolling hires year-round.
Featured schools in China
Schools with the most salary data from teachers
International School of Beijing
Dulwich College Beijing
Yew Chung International School of Beijing
Shekou International School
Shanghai United International School Pudong
Taihu International School
Yew Chung International School Shanghai
The British International School Shanghai, Puxi
YCIS
Harrow International School Beijing
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
American International School of Guangzhou
Things to know
- Visa process can take 2–3 months; authenticated documents required
- Pollution varies by city; Shanghai and Beijing can have bad air days
- VPN needed for many Western sites; schools often provide
Useful resources
- China's National Immigration Administration publishes English guidance on employment of foreigners in China, including the Z visa and work permit process in general terms. See Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China
- Beijing's municipal English portal outlines steps for foreign professionals (work permit notice, Z visa, and permit after entry). Details can change; use the official Beijing foreign professionals guide
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to speak Chinese to teach in China?
- No. International schools teach in English. Basic Mandarin helps daily life but isn't required for the job.
- Should I compare the complete package or just base salary in China?
- Compare the complete package. Base of $2,500–4,500/month is only one line. Housing, flights, insurance, relocation, and whether pay is gross or net change take-home a lot. Tier-1 cities and real international schools usually beat lower-tier bilingual offers even at similar base figures.
- What should teachers check about workplace and workload in China?
- Ask about teaching periods, preparations, after-school duties, and meeting load. Confirm class sizes and TA support. Read reviews for leadership stability. Premium international campuses and bilingual programs can feel like different jobs under the same country label.
- What are visa requirements for teaching in China?
- You need a Z visa (work visa). Schools sponsor this. Requirements include a bachelor's degree, clean criminal record, and typically 2+ years of teaching experience.
- Is China safe for expat teachers?
- Major cities like Shanghai and Beijing are generally safe. Schools provide guidance on local norms and safety.
- What cities pay the most for teachers in China?
- Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen typically offer the highest salaries. Tier 2 cities pay less but have lower costs.
- When should I apply for China teaching jobs?
- October–April for August start. Many schools hire year-round; apply 4–6 months before your target start.
Research schools before you accept
Compare teacher-reported packages, estimated savings, and workplace notes at international schools in China.