Meet David De’ Ath, founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike. 

---

The demand for English teachers has rapidly risen due to the ever-growing English-speaking world.

This has led to many teaching positions and different demands from schools and language institutions.

One of the most commonly found qualifications held by English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers is a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate.

TEFL-qualified teachers can teach all over the place and predominantly work in places like China, South Korea, Japan, and some European countries.

Despite most ESL teachers holding a TEFL or equivalent certification, not all language schools require one.

With a TEFL certification, an English teacher is likely to be able to secure a higher-paying job than their non-TEFL counterpart. This is especially relevant in countries with a higher demand for English teachers but not a huge supply of qualified candidates. It’s important to remember that there are other factors to take into account.

As an experienced ESL teacher who has lived in China for several years, I will explore how having a TEFL can affect an ESL teacher’s income for you today.

Remember that different countries and institutions will have their own criteria for how much they will pay.

Let’s explore this in more detail!

Do TEFL Teachers Get Paid More Than Non-TEFL Teachers?

The salary of ESL teachers can vary depending on several factors other than whether they hold a TEFL or not.

As mentioned above, TEFL holders will have access to higher-paying positions because this is what many schools require.

However, it is not the be-all and end-all.

Below are the most significant factors that determine an ESL teacher’s salary:

1. Qualifications

Teachers boasting advanced degrees, such as a Master’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), can command higher salaries.

I’ve known fellow ESL teachers to be able to teach in well-paying positions that held a degree in education and thus didn’t require a TEFL.

For anyone else, though, minus a few exceptions, most schools will require a TEFL or equivalent qualification that shows they have studied teaching English to non-native speakers.

It is often asked among ESL teachers and those considering teaching English to non-natives if getting a TEFL is worth the time and effort.

The truth is, a TEFL can open doors to teaching in countries all over the world!

Find out more about this in the article below!

Related Article: What Countries Can You Teach in With a TEFL? – Answered

2. Experience

Experience is valued in extremely high esteem by schools.

If a teacher has more than a couple of years teaching under their belt, regardless of whether they have a TEFL, a school may be less concerned with this because the teacher has shown that they can hold a position for an extended period.

The first school I joined when I came to China was a training center called First Leap.

First Leap offered their teachers an extra 1000RMB per month for every year they had completed with them.

So if a teacher had worked five years with that school, they were earning an extra 5000RMB per month (over 700 dollars extra a month for doing the same job)!

And that was on top of an already good salary (around 20,000RMB a month for new teachers).

So this tells us how highly language schools care about their teachers’ experience (and loyalty).

3. Location

Another huge factor that will determine the size of an ESL teacher’s salary is the location of their school.

Some countries pay more than others, with places like China and UAE offering the highest salaries.

While other countries like Thailand or Indonesia offer much lower packages.

Also, schools in major cities often pay more than rural ones.

We have determined that TEFL teachers are likely to be offered higher salaries, but how necessary is it to have one to teach in another country?

Find out in the article below!

Related Article: Do You Need a TEFL Certificate to Teach English Abroad?

4. Type of school

The type of school is also a massive factor in what salary an ESL teacher can expect.

More often than not, private schools offer higher wages than public schools.

In my experience living and working in China, university teachers typically receive slightly smaller salaries but tend to have the most free time.

And they will likely receive free accommodation and other bonuses too (many schools in China offer accommodation as part of the package).

A university ESL teacher can expect around 13000RMB monthly (around $1,900).

Kindergartens are known to pay very well but can be stressful positions with long hours, and they typically offer between 20,000-30,000RMB a month (around $3,000).

International schools also often pay very well but are more stringent on how qualified and experienced their teachers are.

International schools offer over 30,000 RMB monthly in many places (over $4,300).

When comparing the salaries of TEFL and non-TEFL teachers, it can be challenging to make an accurate comparison as no two teachers have the same experience, background, and qualifications.

But taking all into account, having a TEFL will add more weight to an ESL teacher’s resume, thus opening more doors to higher-paying positions.

Holding a TEFL is also a great way to get a foot in the door of the ESL teaching world.

But after a certain point, schools will hold other, more advanced qualifications or more experience in a higher regard.

So, obtaining a TEFL could be a good idea to access more teaching opportunities unless you have a degree in education or another relevant qualification.

5. The Average Salaries of TEFL Teachers Around the World (Top 10)

So, taking all into account, we should consider that most schools around the world will require at least a TEFL to teach at their institution.

Looking at the average salaries of ESL teachers in different countries will help us see what opportunities are available.

Some schools will require a TEFL, and others won’t, but it is safe to assume that ESL teachers who hold a TEFL or equivalent will be on the higher end of the average salary range than those who do not.

From highest to lowest, let’s look at the average salary of ESL teachers in some of the most popular countries to teach English in:

1. United Arab Emirates

The average salary for an ESL teacher in the UAE is:

$52,286 per year

Glassdoor.com

2. China

The average salary for an ESL teacher in China is:

$48,851 per year

Glassdoor.com

3. USA

The average salary for an ESL teacher in the USA is:

$46,342 per year

Glassdoor.com

4. UK

The average salary for an ESL teacher in the UK is:

$37,766 per year

Glassdoor.com

5. South Korea

The average salary for an ESL teacher in South Korea is:

$36,420 per year

Glassdoor.com

6. Japan

The average salary for an ESL teacher in Japan is:

$32,171 per year

Glassdoor.com

7. Vietnam

The average salary for an ESL teacher in Vietnam is:

$26,098 per year

Glassdoor.com

8. Spain

The average salary for an ESL teacher in Spain is:

$22,614 per year

Glassdoor.com

9. Thailand

The average salary for an ESL teacher in Thailand is:

$21,109 per year

Glassdoor.com

10. Indonesia

The average salary for an ESL teacher in Indonesia is:

$14,719 per year

Glassdoor.com

It is very important to understand that schools and regions have different requirements.

As we covered above, the schools will consider a few key factors, such as experience and other qualifications, so having a TEFL may or may not be required.

It is wise to do your research, check in with recruiters and schools in the area you want to teach, and ask them what their requirements are and whether having a TEFL is a prerequisite to teaching ESL with them.

Knowing this information can help you determine what salary they will be willing to offer.

If you’re still wondering whether a career in ESL is the right choice for you, you should check out the article below to find out my top reasons why becoming an ESL teacher is a great idea!

Related Article: Why Become an ESL Teacher? – Teacher’s Top Reasons

Conclusion

To wrap up what we have covered, while some schools do not require a TEFL to teach ESL, most certainly do.

Except for having a more advanced certification such as a degree in education or a lot of experience, a school will want to see that their teacher understands the basics of teaching ESL.

A TEFL certificate is one such certification that shows this.

Thus, because it is a requirement for many language schools, people who hold a TEFL will much more likely be able to find a better-paying position than those without.

There are exceptions, but generally speaking, obtaining a TEFL can be a wise move for anyone considering a career in ESL.

We hope this has helped you better understand the relationship between TEFL and how it can affect an ESL teacher’s salary.

Thank you, and good luck on your journey!

Image Attribution: All images licensed via canva.com