Public vs. Private Schools for TEFL Jobs: Which Pays Better?
The Two Main Paths Into English Language Teaching Abroad
For most new TEFL teachers, the first major decision isn't just which country to go to — it's what type of institution to work for. In most major TEFL markets, teachers choose between two primary pathways: public school placements (often government-facilitated programmes) and private language academies or schools.
These two routes differ in more ways than just pay. Understanding the full comparison helps you choose the environment that matches your professional goals, teaching style, and lifestyle preferences.
The Public School Model
Government English teaching programmes place foreign teachers in state schools as either assistant language teachers (ALTs) or lead English teachers, working alongside local teachers and within the national curriculum.
Examples:
- EPIK (South Korea) — government programme placing teachers in state schools
- JET (Japan) — government programme for assistant language teachers
- Auxiliares de Conversación (Spain) — language and culture assistants in state schools
- Ministry of Education programmes (Saudi Arabia, UAE, China)
Typical package (South Korea EPIK as example):
- Salary: ₩1.8–2.4 million/month (approx. $1,400–$1,800 USD)
- Housing: Provided (apartment or housing allowance)
- Flight: Provided (return)
- Pension: National pension contributions
- Health insurance: National health insurance
- Annual leave: Around 18–20 days
Advantages:
- Better job security (government contracts are stable)
- More predictable hours (typically 22–25 teaching hours per week)
- National health and pension benefits
- Summer and winter school breaks (major vacation periods)
- Placement in a school community rather than a commercial environment
- Co-teacher support in most Asian public school models
Disadvantages:
- Lower raw salary than comparable private positions
- Less flexibility in curriculum and teaching approach
- Teacher as assistant rather than lead in some programmes (JET model)
- School culture may be conservative; autonomy limited
- Competitive application process with strict eligibility requirements
The Private Language School Model
Private language academies — hagwons in South Korea, eikaiwa in Japan, language centres in the Middle East and Southeast Asia — hire teachers for commercial courses that run year-round with rolling student enrolments.
Typical package (South Korean hagwon as example):
- Salary: ₩2.0–2.8 million/month (approx. $1,500–$2,100 USD)
- Housing: Often provided or allowance given
- Flight: Often provided (one-way or both ways)
- Annual leave: Less generous than public (typically 10–14 days)
- Pension: May or may not contribute; varies by employer
Advantages:
- Higher headline salary in many markets
- More varied teaching (conversation, exam prep, business English, adult learners)
- Greater curriculum flexibility in many schools
- Year-round hiring (no fixed annual intake cycles)
- More diverse student profiles
Disadvantages:
- Evening and weekend teaching is common (particularly at academies catering to children and young learners)
- Less job security — private schools can close or lose enrolment
- Hours can vary significantly and may exceed contracted minimums informally
- Quality varies enormously — some private schools are excellent; others are exploitative
- Less institutional support than public programmes
- Employer reputation requires due diligence (see: TEFL red flags)
The Beyond-Salary Comparison
Raw salary is only one dimension. Consider the full financial and quality-of-life picture:
| Factor | Public School | Private School |
|---|---|---|
| Raw salary | Lower | Higher (typically) |
| Housing | Usually provided | Often provided (but less reliable) |
| Job security | High | Variable |
| Working hours | Regular (daytime) | Often evenings/weekends |
| Leave | Generous (school breaks) | Less generous |
| Benefits (pension, healthcare) | Usually national benefits | Variable |
| Teaching autonomy | Low-medium | Medium-high |
| Career development | Limited | Varied |
When housing is valued at market rate (often $400–$700/month equivalent in Korean cities), a public school package with free housing can represent higher total compensation than a nominally higher private school salary with an accommodation allowance.
Which Market Pays Best Overall?
The highest-paying positions for TEFL teachers are generally in the Gulf states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait), where tax-free salaries of $2,500–$4,000+/month with full benefits packages are achievable for experienced teachers at good institutions. These are predominantly private institutional positions.
For entry-level teachers, the most competitive combination of salary, benefits, quality of life, and job security tends to be:
- Public school programmes in South Korea (for salary + benefits + school breaks + stability)
- Private international schools in Southeast Asia (for career growth + variety + adventure at manageable pay)
- Online combined with travel (for flexibility + accumulation without being tied to one contract type)
The Bottom Line
There is no universal "better" choice between public and private. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise job security and stable hours (public school) or higher salary potential and teaching variety (private school). First-year teachers who are uncertain about the teaching lifestyle often benefit from the structure and support of public school programmes; experienced teachers with specific skills often do better in private environments where those skills command a premium.