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.

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 bachelor's, two years of post-graduation work experience, a 120-hour TEFL, and a notarized criminal record check. Citizenship from one of seven native English countries is standard. 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.

Open positions in China

17 active listings mentioning China.

ESL Teacher - Training Center

BrightPath Language Center · Shanghai, China · Full-time

22,000 - 30,000 RMB/month

English Teacher – China | Graduate & Experienced | Visa Sponsored

China Link ESL · Southampton, Hampshire, GB · Contract

£1,800-£3,300

Entry Level English teacher in China

Teach TEFL in China · Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, GB · Full-time

Teach English in China – Training, Visa Support & Career Development

English 1 China · China · Full-time

Teach English Abroad 2026 – Paid Jobs in Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Indonesia & More | Housing + Visa Support

TEFL UK · Various · Full-time

ESL positions China with Working Visa

Meidongli Culture Company · International · Full-time

Kindergarten English Homeroom teacher

Shanghai Meiji Culture Communication Co. Ltd · Shanghai China, China · Full-time

ESL Teachers Needed in Different Cities Around China Now and For New Semester

Cheyenne's TESOL Recruitment Center · China · Full-time

25-28K, IB MYP English Teacher Wanted In Shanghai, Sep. 2026

ClickChina Cultural Exchange Co., Ltd · Shanghai, China · Contract

WANTED: Kindergarten English Teachers (Beijing)

Beijing RZD Culture · Various · Full-time

Native English Teacher - Zhangjiajie College Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Jishu University Zhangjiajie College · China · Full-time

High-Paying English ESL Teaching Jobs in Top Cities in China

eChinaCareers · China · Full-time

Kindergarten English teachers needed in Beijing

Beijing RZD education · China · Full-time

English Teacher / ESL Teacher Needed in Guangdong Province, China

Shaoguan University · China · Full-time

English for Academic Purposes Teachers needed. Long-running University business program.

QIBA · China · Full-time

Chain Kindergarten and schools recruiting English teacher for non native and native speakers English

Dalian GM Education Company · China · Full-time

26k-38k Kindergarten Homeroom/ESL teacher needed in Shanghai shenzhen beijing guangzhou etc. whole china

Eric Talents · China · Full-time

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. The criminal background check authentication is the slowest step.