The Big Question: How Much Do English Teachers Actually Make in China?

If you’re a recent graduate from the US, UK, Canada, or Ireland, you’ve probably heard the rumors. You’ve heard that you can move to China, teach a few hours a day, and somehow end up with a bank account that looks better than it ever did back home. But let’s cut through the noise and talk real numbers.

The short answer? You can live like royalty while saving a serious chunk of change.

In China, the average monthly salary for a foreign English teacher typically ranges from ¥12,000 to ¥28,000 RMB (roughly $1,700 to $3,900 USD). However, at MEF World, we focus on high-quality kindergarten placements where our teachers often see starting packages around ¥20,000 RMB per month. When you factor in the low cost of living, that’s not just a “living wage”—it’s a “travel the world and pay off your student loans” wage.

Breaking Down the Salary by School Type

Not all teaching jobs are created equal. Where you work determines your lifestyle:

• Kindergartens (The MEF Specialty): These are often the “sweet spot.” You get standard weekday hours (no weekends!) and high pay, often between ¥18,000 and ¥25,000 RMB. Since the demand for early childhood English is booming, schools are willing to pay a premium for enthusiastic native speakers.

• Public Schools: These offer a great lifestyle with long paid holidays, but the base salary is usually a bit lower, ranging from ¥10,000 to ¥18,000 RMB.

• International Schools: These pay the most (up to ¥35,000+ RMB), but they almost always require a professional teaching license from your home country and years of experience.

• Training Centers: You might see high numbers here, but be careful—you’ll often work late nights and all weekend long.

At MEF World, we believe in balance. We place our teachers in physical kindergarten positions because it offers the best “bang for your buck”—competitive pay, great hours, and the most rewarding classroom environment. To see our current openings and specific package details, you can check out our job board here.

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Why the “Number” Isn’t the Whole Story

If I told you that you’d make $2,800 USD a month in New York or London, you’d probably laugh (or cry). But in China, that same $2,800 goes incredibly far.

The “Secret” Benefits

Most reputable companies—especially MEF World—don’t just give you a paycheck; they give you a lifestyle. A typical MEF package includes:

1. Housing Support: We often provide a housing allowance or even help you find and set up your apartment. In many cities, your rent might only be ¥2,000–¥4,000, leaving most of your salary for you.

2. Flight Reimbursement: We believe you shouldn’t have to pay to get to your dream job. We reimburse your international flight.

3. No Commute Stress: We help you find housing near your school.

Cost of Living vs. Savings

Let’s look at the math. If you’re earning ¥20,000 RMB ($2,800 USD):

• Lunch: ¥25 ($3.50)

• Dinner at a nice restaurant: ¥60 ($8.50)

• Monthly Metro Pass: ¥150 ($21)

• High-speed train to another city: ¥200 ($28)

Most of our teachers find they can spend freely, travel every second weekend, and still save $1,000 to $1,500 USD every single month.

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Teaching, Traveling, and the MEF Advantage

You aren’t just moving to China to sit in a classroom; you’re moving there to see the world. China’s high-speed rail network is the best on the planet. You can finish work on a Friday and be in a completely different province, eating world-class spicy hotpot or exploring ancient temples, by dinner time.

This is where MEF World stands out. We aren’t just a recruitment agency; we are your “boots on the ground” support system. We know that for a graduate from Canada or the UK, moving to China is a massive step. That’s why we offer:

• Full Arrival Support: We don’t just wave goodbye at the airport. We help you set up your bank account, get your SIM card, and even set up your Wi-Fi.

• Physical Positions Only: We don’t do online teaching. We believe the true magic happens in person, inside the kindergarten, where you can actually bond with your students.

• In-Country Training: Our system is designed to be easy to learn. We take the stress out of lesson planning so you can spend more time enjoying the culture.

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TEFL and TESOL: Your Golden Ticket

To get these high-paying jobs and the legal Z Visa (work visa), you need the right qualifications. If you’re wondering, “Am I actually qualified for this?” we have a full breakdown of the requirements on our qualification page.

In short, you’ll need:

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

2. A clean criminal background check.

3. A TEFL or TESOL certificate.

If you don’t have a TEFL yet, don’t sweat it. We offer our own specialized training through TEFL MEF World. Our course isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s specifically designed to prepare you for the reality of a Chinese kindergarten classroom.

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Your Support System: The MEF World Community

Moving across the world is exciting, but it’s okay to have a million questions. How do I use AliPay? What’s the best VPN? Will I find vegetarian food?

We don’t expect you to figure it out alone. The MEF China Support Forum is the go-to resource for our teachers to share tips, ask questions, and connect with others who are in the exact same boat. You can join the conversation at https://mefworld.com/teachers/.

Why Choose MEF World?

We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, starting in Japan and expanding into China. We are a Western-managed company that understands the expectations of North American and European graduates. Our mission is “Making English Fun”—and that applies to our teachers just as much as our students.

We bridge the cultural gap so you don’t have to deal with the “drama” or “overtime” often found when working directly for a local company. We protect your hours, ensure your pay is on time, and provide the resources you need to be a rockstar in the classroom.

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Ready to Start Your Adventure?

If you’re sitting in your room in London, Toronto, or New York wondering what’s next, this is it. You can stay where you are, or you can start a career that pays you to travel, offers full support, and gives you a global perspective that few people ever get.

The first step is easy. You don’t need a plane ticket yet—you just need to let us know you’re interested.