Country guide
Teach English in China
International schools, training centers, and universities. Pay is the highest in Asia.
China's ESL market shifted significantly after 2021 when online tutoring of K-9 students inside China was banned. The current market is in-person: international schools (the top tier of pay), licensed training centers for adults and high schoolers, public schools, and universities. Pay is the highest in Asia, especially in Tier 1 cities.
Open positions in China
12 active listings mentioning China. Most recent posted October 15, 2026.
ESL Teachers Needed in Different Cities Around China Now ASAP
Cheyenne's TESOL Recruitment Center · China · Full-time
University EAP Lecturers Needed Across China (Spring / Feb 2027 Start)
shanghaiyucui · China · Contract
University+Primary English teacher needed in Beijing
Xinbaide HR · China · Full-time
Kindergarten teacher positions in top Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xiamen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Qingdao, Dalian, Hangzhou, Suzhou
Discover universe · China · Contract
ASAP 17-24k Shenzhen kindergarten homeroom and Shenzhen public school/kindergarten positions Feb 2027
SDE · Futian, Nanshan, Bao'an Shenzhen, Guangdong, China · Full-time
LIVE WELL AND SAVE MONEY in Shenyang! Paid Training, Western Managed + 16,000RMB Bonus, 42 days paid holiday, 20 hrs a week, No boring admin work!
Joy Education · China · Contract
Public Primary School English Teacher — Zhengzhou | Light Workload, More Time for Life
Zhengzhou Education Bureau · China · Full-time
Teach English for Academic Purposes in China
Victoria University Australia · China · Contract
KINDERGARTEN TEACHING JOBS – CHINA 2027 (Chengdu, Luzhou, Dalian)
Arun Language Training & Recruitment · China · Full-time
Seeking Certified K–12 Teachers with North American Classroom Experience – Fall International Teacher Training Program (2–3 Weeks)
SparkEdu · Nanjing, Jiangsu, China · Full-time
English teaching job in China Happily
ShenzhenNew Silk Road Education Hangzhou Branch · China · Full-time
American online IB teacher(English literature) needed for a 14 years old student
ESL job in China · China · Full-time
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Salary
International schools: 25k to 45k RMB per month. Training centers: 18k to 30k RMB. Public schools: 12k to 22k RMB. Universities: 10k to 20k RMB with long vacations. Most contracts include housing or stipend.
Visa
Z visa. Requires a bachelor's degree and a criminal record check (notarized and apostilled). Foreign language teachers also need more than two years of language-education experience, which is waived with a bachelor's in education or language, a teaching certificate from your own country, or a qualified international language teaching certificate (the standard published by the Beijing government). Many schools also ask for a 120-hour TEFL. Applicants are usually citizens of countries where English is the national language. Age cap of 60 is typical.
Best for
Experienced teachers who want to maximize savings. Two years of teaching in China can clear 30k USD in savings if you live carefully.
What current China listings advertise
7 of the 12 China listings on the board right now state a monthly figure in RMB. The middle one is 13,000 RMB a month, and the stated amounts run from 3,000 to 20,000 RMB.
This is advertised pay, taken from the first amount in each employer's own listing (the low end of a range) and not checked against contracts, so read it next to the school-type ranges above. It changes as listings are added and expire. Housing, flights and bonuses are often on top and are not counted here.
Check the visa rules at the source
Visa requirements and fees change, and the right category depends on your passport and your employer. Confirm the current rules on the official sites before you pay for documents or book anything.
- National Immigration Administration of China (English)
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (consular services)
- HCCH Apostille Convention status table (check your country's apostille route)
Links last checked 11 October 2026.
Common questions about teaching in China
Is online teaching of Chinese students still possible?
Not for K-9 students inside China. Adult-focused online teaching to Chinese learners through global platforms is allowed but pays much less than the old VIPKid era.
What's the salary difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities?
Tier 1 (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) pays 30 to 50 percent more, but cost of living absorbs much of that. Tier 2 cities often have better savings rates.
How long does the visa take?
Plan on 8 to 12 weeks from offer to arrival. Getting the criminal background check notarized and apostilled is the slowest step.
Tools for teachers
What you'll need to teach in China
Things teachers usually sort out before moving here. Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
ITTT
Most schools abroad ask for a TEFL certificate. Get yours online.
Offer: 10% off with code ETUNU2026K
- Self-paced, 120 to 550 hour courses
- Lifetime job guidance for graduates
See ITTT courses →
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
NordVPN
Add privacy on shared Wi-Fi while teaching abroad
- Encrypts traffic to the VPN server
- Compare device support and current plan terms
Access is not guaranteed. NordVPN currently reports blocked Windows connections in China; check device support before buying.
See NordVPN plans →
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
SafetyWing
Health cover for the gap before your school insurance starts
- Medical cover while you live abroad
- From about $63 per 4 weeks (ages 18-39)
Get a SafetyWing quote →
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Wise
Paid in one currency, need money in another? Skip the bank markup
- Real exchange rate, fee shown up front
- Hold and convert 40+ currencies
See Wise fees and rates →
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Get ready to teach in China
Courses for ESL teachers
Ready-to-teach lesson courses with exercises and teacher notes.
Ready-to-teach lesson packs
Prepared lessons for your first weeks in the classroom.
China vs South Korea
New teacher debating starting in Korea vs. getting qualified first for higher pay in China.
China vs Japan
Experienced teacher choosing between lifestyle (Japan) and savings (China).
Browse all ESL jobs
Every current opening, worldwide.
Visa guides for China
Your CV for China
China expects a different CV from the one a US resume builder produces. The layout, the photo, the paper size and which documents get attested are all country-specific, and getting them wrong is a common reason applications are set aside.
See the China CV rulesRead next on teaching in China
China Z Visa: Apostille Replaced Embassy Authentication
Since 7 November 2023 China accepts apostilles, and Chinese embassies in the US and elsewhere stopped authenticating documents. What that changes for your Z visa file.
The 10 Best Countries to Teach English Abroad in 2026
Discover the best countries to teach English abroad in 2026. Compare salaries, visa requirements, cost of living, and lifestyle for the top 10 destinations including South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and more.
How Much Do ESL Teachers Make? (2026 Salary Guide)
A comprehensive guide to ESL teacher salaries in 2026. Compare earnings by country, teaching environment, and experience level. Learn what factors affect your pay and how to increase your rate.
Teach English Abroad Checklist: 30 Things to Decide Before You Apply
A practical pre-application checklist for first-time ESL teachers: countries, visa fit, savings, TEFL certificates, housing, contracts, documents, and red flags.
ESL Contract Red Flags: What to Check Before You Sign
A plain-English guide to ESL contract red flags, from vague teaching hours and housing deductions to visa problems, penalties, unpaid training, and missing severance.
The Tools New ESL Teachers Actually Need Before Moving Abroad
A lean toolkit for new ESL teachers moving abroad: document storage, money transfers, insurance, VPNs, lesson planning, language learning, and a simple job search workflow.
Teach English in specific cities in China
Teach in Shanghai
International schools and adult training centers at the top of the China pay range.
Teach in Beijing
Capital city with strong university and international school markets.
Teach in Shenzhen
Tech-economy city with a growing international school market.
Teach in Guangzhou
Southern China hub with deep international school and training center demand.
Sister site · Weightless
Prefer to work remotely from China? Browse remote jobs you can do from anywhere on our sister site Weightless.
Find remote jobs →Other countries in Asia
Teach in South Korea
EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.
Teach in Japan
JET, eikaiwa chains, and ALT positions. Pay is steady, vacation is short.
Teach in Vietnam
Booming demand, low cost of living, and flexible hours.
Teach in Thailand
Lifestyle-first teaching with lower pay and lots of vacation.
Teach in Taiwan
Buxiban (cram school) work plus growing public school programs.
Teach in Cambodia
The easiest legal entry point in Asia. No degree required by law.