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Wondering which countries pay the highest salaries for teaching English abroad? These 5 top-paying TEFL markets offer the best financial benefits for ESL teachers, from competitive wages to attractive savings opportunities.
Written By: John Bentley|Updated: December 5, 2023
Everybody is familiar with the saying “You don’t become a teacher for the money.” While going to teach English abroad will almost certainly be one of the most enriching experiences you will ever undertake, you probably don’t want to count on it to buy that tropical island you fantasize about for your retirement.
There are countries, however, where you can make an excellent salary and receive top benefits as an English teacher abroad. Let's understand together what the best-paying English teaching jobs abroad are, including which ones provide the highest salary for teaching English abroad, and how to find them.
The Best Countries to Teach English Abroad for Money in 2024
The best places to teach English abroad to make money are South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Gulf Arab States and Vietnam. Being an English teacher in these countries will have you earning enough money to save anywhere from $500 - $1,500 USD per month.
Read more: How much money can you make teaching English abroad?
Teach English Abroad for a Year
There are thousands of opportunities around the world for TEFL-certified English teachers who want to find a job abroad that pays well and offers exceptional benefits. In most cases, you will be expected to make a one-year commitment to receive contracts in the most lucrative countries for teaching English abroad.
Which Country Pays the Highest Salary to English Teachers?
So which country pays foreign English teachers the most? We've compiled a list of the highest-paying ESL countries for you. Here are the top 5 most lucrative countries to teach English Abroad in 2024.
South Korea ($1,850-$2,650 USD a month)
China ($1,200-$2,600 USD a month)
Japan ($1,700-$2,600 USD a month)
Taiwan ($2,000-$3,000 USD a month)
Gulf Arab States ($2,000-$5,000 USD a month)
Honorable Mention: Vietnam ($1,500-$2,000 USD a month)
Now that you know where the best places to make money with TEFL are, let's take a look at the teaching abroad salary by country:
1. South Korea ($1,850-$2,650 USD a month)
A prosperous economy and a deep-rooted commitment to education make South Korea a top destination for teaching English abroad, especially for those looking to make money. Offering a fantastic combination of high-tech, modern cities with thousands of years of history and culture, Korea offers a great international experience in addition to fantastic travel opportunities throughout Asia. In addition, South Korea has been one of the first countries to hire foreign English teachers since COVID-19.
On top of that, South Korea is one of the best countries to teach English and save money. Therefore it is a strong contestant on our 2024 list of countries that pay English teachers the most.
Highlights of teaching English in Korea:
- English teachers in Korea typically make enough to save around 50% of their salary each month. Savings can top $1,000 a month, or up to $15,000 a year.
- Free furnished housing is provided to English teachers in Korea.
- English Teachers will be reimbursed for their airfare and provided with a stipend for a flight home at the end of their contract.
- English Teachers in Korea who complete their 12-month contract will typically receive an extra month’s salary as a bonus.
- Kick off your international teaching career by earning your TEFL certification in Incheon, Korea.
- Learn about ITA's Guaranteed Job Placement Program for Teaching English in South Korea.
Read More to learn more about teaching ESL abroad in South Korea: Salary & Benefits for English Teachers in South Korea.
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From the spectacular skylines of Shanghai and 250-mile-per-hour bullet trains to the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the ancient treasures of Xi'an, China offers a wealth of contrasts between ancient and modern and East and West. With 300 million Chinese taking English classes every year, it's also the largest TEFL job market in the world, with some of the highest-paying ESL jobs for English teachers abroad.
