Best Countries for TEFL Jobs With High Salaries

Where in the World Does TEFL Pay Best?

The answer to "where should I teach for the best money?" depends on what you mean by "best." If you want the highest absolute monthly income, the Gulf states win. If you want the best ratio of income to cost of living (and therefore the best saving potential), South Korea and Taiwan deserve serious consideration. If you want the best-funded entry-level position, South Korea's EPIK programme is hard to beat.

Here's a detailed look at the countries consistently cited for high-value TEFL compensation.

Tier 1: Maximum Saving Potential

South Korea

South Korea has long been considered one of the best-value destinations for English teachers, particularly for beginners entering the market. The combination of competitive salary, included housing, flight reimbursement, health insurance, and pension contributions creates a total package significantly more generous than the headline salary suggests.

Government EPIK positions:

Monthly salary: 1.8M–2.3M KRW (~$1,350–$1,730 USD)
Free furnished accommodation
Round-trip flight reimbursement
National health insurance
Pension (employer and employee contribute)
End-of-contract severance bonus (one month's salary per contract year)

Private hagwon positions:

Monthly salary: 2.0M–2.8M KRW
Most include free or subsidised housing
Some offer flight allowances and health insurance

Realistic saving potential: $500–$1,200/month depending on lifestyle.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree in any subject (required for E-2 visa), TEFL certificate, clean background check.

Taiwan

Taiwan combines a lower cost of living than South Korea with respectable teaching salaries and a high quality of life. Teaching in Taiwan's private buxibans (cram schools) or international schools:

Monthly salary: NT$60,000–NT$80,000 (~$1,900–$2,500 USD)
Accommodation typically not included (but low-cost options abundant)
Friendly visa regime and excellent safety record
Strong digital infrastructure for supplemental online teaching

Realistic saving potential: $600–$1,000/month.

Tier 2: High Absolute Income (Experienced Teachers)

United Arab Emirates

Dubai and Abu Dhabi host some of the highest-paying English teaching positions in the world. International schools and high-end language institutes in the UAE offer:

Monthly salary: AED 12,000–25,000 ($3,300–$6,800 USD)
Tax-free income (no UAE income tax)
Housing allowance or free accommodation
Annual flights to home country
Medical insurance

Requirements: Typically require a bachelor's degree, CELTA/TEFL, and 2+ years of experience for the best positions. Premium schools may require a PGCE or state teaching qualification.

Realistic saving potential (experienced teacher): $1,500–$3,500/month.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia offers structured teaching packages — primarily through government contracts, international school placement agencies, and direct employer hire — with generous financial terms:

Monthly salary: SAR 10,000–20,000 ($2,700–$5,300 USD)
Free or heavily subsidised accommodation
Annual return flights
Healthcare coverage
End-of-contract gratuity payment

Important consideration: Social and cultural expectations in Saudi Arabia are significantly more conservative than in most other TEFL markets. Many teachers find the financial terms worth the adjustment; others find the environment difficult. Research this carefully before applying.

Qatar and Kuwait

Similar package structures to UAE and Saudi Arabia. Kuwait in particular is noted for high salaries and a more moderate cost of living than Dubai, creating excellent saving potential for those comfortable with Gulf state living environments.

Tier 3: Strong Absolute Salary With High Quality of Life

Japan

Japan's JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) represents one of the best-structured entry-level teaching placements in the world. While the saving potential is lower than Korea (higher cost of living, particularly in cities), the cultural experience and professional quality are exceptional.

JET salary: 3.36M yen/year (¥280,000/month, ~$1,900 USD)
More experienced JET participants receive increases
Some rural placements include subsidised housing

Private eikaiwa and international school positions in Japan offer up to ¥400,000/month ($2,700 USD) for experienced teachers.

China (Tier 1 Cities, Reputable Schools)

Despite the regulatory changes affecting the K-12 tutoring sector in 2021, adult education, university language programmes, and international schools in China continue to hire. Top-tier positions in Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen:

Monthly salary: ¥20,000–¥30,000 CNY ($2,800–$4,200 USD)
Some positions include housing
Flight allowances and health insurance common at reputable institutions

Critical warning: Employer vetting is essential in China. Research any employer thoroughly before accepting, and ensure your visa arrangement is fully legal.

What You Need to Qualify for the Highest-Paying Positions

For entry-level positions (South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia):

Bachelor's degree in any subject
120-hour TEFL certificate
Clean background check

For mid-tier positions (UAE, lower Gulf packages, top Korea hagwons):

Bachelor's degree
CELTA or strong Level 5 TEFL
1–2 years classroom experience

For premium positions (International schools, British Council, top Gulf packages):

Bachelor's degree (preferably in education or a related field)
CELTA + relevant experience
3–5 years teaching experience
Some positions require a PGCE or state teaching qualification

The Right Question to Ask

Rather than "which country pays the most," ask: "Which country pays the most relative to its cost of living, for which I'm currently qualified?"

For most new TEFL teachers, South Korea is the answer — excellent package, accessible requirements, strong professional development environment, and a genuinely exciting cultural experience. Build your experience there, then target the Gulf states if maximum income is your objective.