City guide

Teach English in Shanghai, China

International schools and adult training centers at the top of the China pay range.

Shanghai is the highest-paying ESL market in mainland China. International schools cluster in Pudong and Minhang. Adult training centers and corporate English programs hire continuously. Tier-1 cost of living is real but housing is usually subsidized.

Best for

Experienced teachers and licensed K-12 teachers maximizing savings.

China at a glance

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.

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