The Big Question: How Much Does an English Teacher Actually Make in China?

If you’re a university graduate from the US, UK, Canada, or Ireland, you’ve likely heard the whispers: “You can save a fortune teaching in China.” But when you start searching for hard numbers, the answers can feel all over the place. One site says one thing, a Reddit thread says another, and suddenly you’re staring at a currency converter trying to figure out if you’ll be living like royalty or just getting by.

At MEF World, we believe in being the most transparent and knowledgeable resource for graduates looking to make this leap. We don’t just “place” people; we provide full support, training, and physical positions inside kindergartens across China. So, let’s cut through the noise and talk real numbers, lifestyle, and why teaching in a kindergarten is often the “sweet spot” for both your wallet and your sanity.

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The Base Salary: What’s Going into Your Bank Account?

The most direct answer to “How much will I make?” is that for a qualified native English speaker with a Bachelor’s degree, you can typically expect a monthly salary ranging from 18,000 RMB to 22,000 RMB.

To give you some perspective, at the time of writing, that’s roughly $2,500 to $3,000 USD (or the equivalent in GBP/CAD/EUR) per month.

Now, if you look at a standard salary in London, New York, or Toronto, that might sound “decent” but not necessarily “earth-shattering.” However, the secret to the China teaching market isn’t just the number on the paycheck—it’s the purchasing power of that money and the benefits that come with it.

Why Kindergarten Positions are the “Gold Standard”

While there are many types of schools in China, MEF World focuses specifically on kindergarten positions. Why? Because they offer the most consistent and lucrative packages for graduates.

• Public Schools & Universities: Often pay significantly less, sometimes as low as 10,000–15,000 RMB. While the hours are light, your ability to save is much lower.

• Training Centers: These often have high “sticker prices” on their salaries, but they require you to work evenings and weekends. You miss out on the social life of the city because you’re working when everyone else is out.

• Kindergartens: These roles typically offer the highest salaries for entry-level and mid-level teachers. You work a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule (usually 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM), leaving your evenings and weekends completely free to travel and explore.

You can see a live list of these specific roles and their exact pay scales on our Jobs Board.

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The “Hidden” Value: Benefits That Save You Thousands

In the West, you get a salary and then spend 40% of it on rent, 10% on insurance, and more on your commute. In China, and specifically when working through MEF World, your salary is closer to “pocket money” because your major expenses are often covered.

1. Housing Support

Rent is usually the biggest drain on a graduate’s budget. Most of our positions include either free accommodation or a significant housing allowance (often around 2,500 to 4,000 RMB depending on the city).

The MEF Difference: We don’t just hand you a check and tell you to find a flat. We provide full support in finding an apartment, getting the lease signed, and ensuring the WIFI is actually working before you move in. We can even offer a loan for your apartment deposit so you aren’t out of pocket the moment you land.

2. Flight Reimbursement

Moving across the world is expensive. MEF World positions typically include flight reimbursement. This means the cost of your journey to China is paid back to you, often after a few months or at the end of your contract, effectively making your relocation free.

3. Meals and Daily Costs

Many kindergartens provide free lunch on workdays. It sounds small, but when you aren’t paying for lunch 22 days a month, it adds up to hundreds of dollars in savings over a year.

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The Cost of Living: How Far Does 20,000 RMB Go?

To understand the lifestyle, you have to look at what things cost in China. Even in “expensive” Tier 1 cities like Shanghai or Hangzhou, your money goes incredibly far.

Item	Estimated Cost (RMB)	Estimated Cost (USD)
Street Food Meal	15 – 25 RMB	$2 – $3.50
Nice Restaurant Dinner	60 – 120 RMB	$8 – $17
Subway/Metro Ride	3 – 7 RMB	$0.40 – $1.00
Large Beer at a Bar	20 – 40 RMB	$3 – $6
Monthly Phone Bill (Unlimited Data)	100 RMB	$14

If you are earning 20,000 RMB a month and your housing is covered, you can live a very comfortable, “middle-class-plus” lifestyle—eating out frequently, traveling every month, and socialising—while still sending $1,000 to $1,500 USD home every single month to pay off student loans or build a travel fund.

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Am I Qualified for These High-Paying Roles?

Because the pay is high, the regulations are strict. To legally teach in China and earn these top-tier salaries, you generally need:

1. A Bachelor’s Degree (in any subject).

2. A passport from the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.

3. A clean criminal record.

4. A TEFL or TESOL certification.

If you’re wondering if your specific degree or background fits, check out our detailed guide: Am I Qualified to Teach for MEF?

Note on TEFL: You don’t need a degree in Education. You just need a recognized 120-hour TEFL certificate. If you don’t have one yet, we recommend the MEF World TEFL course to ensure your certification meets the specific requirements of the Chinese Visa (Z-Visa) authorities.

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Why Support Matters More Than the Salary

Here is the truth: You could find a job on a random job board that promises 30,000 RMB. But if you arrive and there is no one to pick you up from the airport, no one to help you open a bank account, and no one to translate your housing contract, that extra money won’t matter. You’ll be stressed, lonely, and potentially in a legal gray area.

MEF World is the most knowledgeable resource because we provide full support and training. We don’t do online teaching; we are experts in the physical, “boots-on-the-ground” experience of living in China. From your initial visa paperwork to your first day in a Chinese kindergarten, we are there.

If you have questions about the contract, the city, or even what to pack, our community is waiting to help. You can browse real questions from teachers just like you on the MEF China Support Forum.

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Your Next Steps

Teaching in China is one of the few opportunities left where a recent graduate can travel the world, have a high-impact career, and actually finish the year with more money than they started with.

If you’re ready to see what’s available and get an exact quote on your earning potential based on your qualifications, the best thing to do is start your application.

Would you like me to help you start your application on our Apply Now page or would you prefer to see more specific job listings in cities like Hangzhou or Shanghai?