• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• The food, snow-capped mountains, springtime cherry blossoms, steaming bowls of noodles, and polite, welcoming people have given teaching in Japan a wide appeal. And it doesn’t hurt either that the pay can be as high as $3,000 a month with added benefits like free housing and flight reimbursement.

• Previous teaching experience is not necessary, though it can be tough to find a position without TEFL Cert since the job market in Japan is extremely competitive. Most less experienced teachers opt to participate in the JET Programme, but be sure to consider the alternatives.

5. Teaching English Jobs in Kuwait

• TEFL Job Salaries in Kuwait: $2,600 USD per month (tax-free)

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• Due to a high number of international schools, the job opportunities are plentiful for English teachers. Kuwait City may be surrounded by desert, but the city itself is buzzing. It’s clean and modern, with skyscrapers, green parks, clubs, shopping, and a vibrant expat community. TEFL teacher salaries average about $2,600 per month, tax-free, but most employers require teacher certification and experience.

6. Teaching English Jobs in South Korea 

• TEFL Job Salaries in South Korea: up to $2,500 USD per month plus housing

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• Japan’s neighbor to the west, South Korea, has a similar salary and benefit package to Japan, but is somewhat less discovered as a tourist destination. However, that is changing. English teachers are flocking to Korea, where the salary for TEFL teachers is around $2,000 a month, and often includes housing and full or partial flight reimbursement.

• Factor in overtime and bonus opportunities, and a lower cost of living, South Korea is one of the best destinations for teaching abroad. A minimum of a TEFL certificate and bachelor’s degree is usually required to teach English in Korea, especially for the EPIK, GEPIK, or SMOE programs.

7. Teaching English Jobs in Vietnam 

• TEFL Job Salaries in Vietnam up to $2,000 USD per month

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• For teachers who don’t have previous experience and hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate, Vietnam is a good option. The country has beautiful beaches, mountains, rice terraces, and world heritage sites like Ha Long Bay for travel enthusiasts. Not to mention, the TEFL industry has seen a boom in recent years, which means the job market is favorable for teachers.

• However, at $1,000 – 2,000 USD per month, the salary is not as high as the other countries on this list, but the jobs are more accessible and cost of living is cheap — that goes for everything from food to transport to accommodation.

8. Teaching English Jobs in Taiwan

• TEFL Job Salaries in Taiwan $2,000 USD per month

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• Like Korea, the salaries in Taiwan hover around $2,000 a month, with an even lower cost of living, milder winters, and near tropical summers. Saving money can be very easy, and TEFL teaching jobs are available across the board, from kindergarten to university, public schools and private.

• Most jobs in Taiwan don’t require a TEFL certificate, just a university degree, though this may change as the job market becomes more competitive, and experience and / or TEFL certificates are always a good leveraging point if you want to negotiate up your salary. All in all, Taiwan is a small island with a lot to offer.]

9. Teaching English Jobs in China

• TEFL Job Salaries in China: up to $2,000 USD per month

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• Although salaries in China aren’t quite as high as others on this list, China is far and large one of the biggest employers of TEFL teachers in the world! Pair this wide availability of jobs with a very low cost of living, and the salary range, which is roughly $1,000 to $2,000 per month, is quickly evened out.
• If you decide to teach in China, you can either work through a private company or find a position at a public school. English skills are a requirement for many students hoping to pursue higher education in China, so your contributions will really make a difference in the lives of your students.

10. Teaching English Jobs in Thailand 

• TEFL Job Salaries in Thailand up to $2,000 USD per month

• Typical requirements: Experience and / or TEFL Certification.

• Stunning beaches and paradise islands have been attracting tourists and expats for many years now encouraging locals to learn English more and more. Low cost of living and the salary range, which is roughly $1,500 to $2,000 per month make this destination a dream for many.

• To this day in Thailand are large number of schools, so finding a job in this wonderful tropical country is relatively easy task specially if you have a TEFL certificate behind your belt.

Bonus: Teaching English Jobs & Stay at Home

We’ve covered international locations for this article — almost exclusively in the Middle East and Asia — however, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a comfortable salary elsewhere. In fact, TEFL teachers in the United States make on average $40,000 – 75,000 USD per year.

As with most professions, a Master’s degree will help you significantly raise your salary, as will experience and certifications. Urban centers and towns / cities with a high immigrant or international student population tend to have more teaching opportunities and salaries — though they might also have a higher overall cost of living.

Furthermore, online teaching jobs also make a very comfortable salary. This ranges from country to country and region, and those positions tend to require more experience and qualifications, but it’s an especially attractive option for those who want to make a career out of teaching abroad.

Tips for Getting a Higher Salary for Teaching English Jobs 

For each country on this list there is, expectedly, a range of salaries. Unexperienced teachers, and especially those without any TEFL or teaching certification, should expect a salary on the lower end. Those with several years of experience, a relevant degree, and TEFL certification will be able to make more — regardless of destination.

To make yourself more competitive, consider getting a TEFL certificate and getting teaching experience — either as a tutor, volunteer, or full-time teacher in your home country — before you apply.

Don’t Settle For Less for Teaching English Jobs 

Teaching English abroad is a way to pay off student loans, travel, save money, add to your skill set, and immerse yourself in a new culture. With contracts that range from 6 months to 2 years, it’s possible to cater your experience to suit your needs.

Remember that the requirements for teaching in different countries are always changing, but with a little bit of effort in research you can earn both a good salary and an unforgettable life experience.