How Much Can A Teacher Earn In Thailand In 2013 With A Master's Degree In Teaching?

[tbd6384]

Hi there. New to these parts.

I am a 29 year old South American male and Australian citizen.

I have two university degrees: an MA in Teaching [primary school level specialisation] and BA in Social Work.

I have been doing some research on teaching in Thailand; everything from Visa applications to learning Thai.

However, I would really like to know how much a qualified professional with a master's in teaching can earn in a teaching position in Thailand. I have received very mixed responses from acquaintances and old friends who currently find themselves in teaching positions there. Some have said that it is difficult to earn more than 40,000 THB a month, while others have mentioned that an individual with a BA in teaching, or higher, can earn anywhere between 40,000 to 100,000 THB a month.

I am not money hungry, but I am also not willing to sell myself short. I would only consider teaching there long-term in a serious and professional capacity.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[LucidLucifer]

I teach at an international school here, and my take home pay is about 20% more than it would be if I was still teaching in the UK, plus a few perks. Well north of 100k per month net is possible for those that are suitably qualified, experienced and good at their job.

[TommoPhysicist]

If you have formal teaching qualifications, you can earn a lot in an international school, 80k+.

If you have no teaching qualifications (or minimal like TEFL) you can earn 25-35k in a state school.

They do value white skin in foreign teachers.

Edited January 9, 2013 by TommoPhysicist

[tonititan]

*Deleted quote edited out*

Yeah, well most teachers don't go into teaching for the money. For a teacher to be able to make more than at home AND to benefit from the lower cost of living, it's a good deal. We know we're never going to make what doctors and engineers make.

Working in an international school in Bangkok with a master's degree, I made about 110,000 baht/month (net - after the 20% taxes and a few other deductions). I worked at a well-paying school, but it wasn't one of the few highest paying schools in BKK. When it comes to your salary placement, your master's degree is useful, but your salary will also depend on years of experience and certification. Do you have teacher certification in South Africa or Australia? If not, that will very well be a deal breaker for the higher paying schools. Or they may pay you a lower salary. Depending on your qualifications, I'd look for a salary range of more like 70,000-100,000+. Also look at things like housing allowances, bonuses, relocation assistance, annual flights home, health insurance, savings plans, etc. Part of it probably comes down to how badly you want to live in Thailand, though.

Edited January 10, 2013 by Scott

[ivan96822]

Many people talk about getting hired from abroad at an international school in order to get the big bucks.

What could one expect to earn if hired locally in Bangkok from an international school? I'm talking someone with teaching experience in the west, a teaching certificate from the west, and a Master's degree in Education or some other equivalent? When would be the best time of the year to come over to apply for teaching positions at REAL international schools in Bangkok?

[LucidLucifer]

Many people talk about getting hired from abroad at an international school in order to get the big bucks.

What could one expect to earn if hired locally in Bangkok from an international school? I'm talking someone with teaching experience in the west, a teaching certificate from the west, and a Master's degree in Education or some other equivalent? When would be the best time of the year to come over to apply for teaching positions at REAL international schools in Bangkok?

It varies from school to school, but local hires miss out on things like relocation allowance, flights home, and in some cases, the housing allowance. From my knowledge, most schools have a set salary scale (I've seen these for a good number of the better international schools in Bangkok), so local vs overseas hire salaries may not differ much, if at all. But the loss of the benefits adds up to quite a substantial amount.

If you are looking to apply for a position, now is the time to do it. This is very much the recruiting season for a start in the new academic year.

Can I ask though, if you are not currently in Thailand, why do you want to come here and then look for a job? Do it from where you are now, even if not in your home country, and you will then get the better overseas hire package.

[joorakee]

Well, if I were a highly educated NES with qualifications such as TEFL and/or experience in teaching, I would expect (meaning demand) at least 50-60k THB/month (the more, the better). I would probably also expect my prospective employer to cover the costs of the air tickets, arrange some accommodation at least at the very beginning, etc.

Being a non-native speaker having neither a relevant degree nor special qualifications, aware that my English is far from perfect, I would maybe agree to work for 30-40k depending on other conditions.

Many people who have never worked as a teacher seem to think that teachers don't deserve high salaries because, among other reasons, they work only twenty-something hours a week. I was also consoling myself that it is light work, so I shouldn't complain, when I taught a foreign language at a university. Only when I gave up the job did I realize how hard it had been...

Now I work for a company and it is less tiring, even though it is a 9-to-5 job forcing me to get up early in the morning (at the university I started not earlier than at 11 a.m., often in the afternoon). What's more, I have no problems with my vocal cords any longer.

[tinfoilhat]

Many people talk about getting hired from abroad at an international school in order to get the big bucks.

What could one expect to earn if hired locally in Bangkok from an international school? I'm talking someone with teaching experience in the west, a teaching certificate from the west, and a Master's degree in Education or some other equivalent? When would be the best time of the year to come over to apply for teaching positions at REAL international schools in Bangkok?

It varies from school to school, but local hires miss out on things like relocation allowance, flights home, and in some cases, the housing allowance. From my knowledge, most schools have a set salary scale (I've seen these for a good number of the better international schools in Bangkok), so local vs overseas hire salaries may not differ much, if at all. But the loss of the benefits adds up to quite a substantial amount.

If you are looking to apply for a position, now is the time to do it. This is very much the recruiting season for a start in the new academic year.

Can I ask though, if you are not currently in Thailand, why do you want to come here and then look for a job? Do it from where you are now, even if not in your home country, and you will then get the better overseas hire package.

I would say the time has already passed. I have some friends who were just recruited from SEA to Africa.

They just finalized the agreement.

It is my understanding that most moves of this sort are firmed up over the Xmas/New Years break. And the moves occur over the summr holdiays

Edited January 10, 2013 by tinfoilhat

[LucidLucifer]

Many people talk about getting hired from abroad at an international school in order to get the big bucks.

What could one expect to earn if hired locally in Bangkok from an international school? I'm talking someone with teaching experience in the west, a teaching certificate from the west, and a Master's degree in Education or some other equivalent? When would be the best time of the year to come over to apply for teaching positions at REAL international schools in Bangkok?

It varies from school to school, but local hires miss out on things like relocation allowance, flights home, and in some cases, the housing allowance. From my knowledge, most schools have a set salary scale (I've seen these for a good number of the better international schools in Bangkok), so local vs overseas hire salaries may not differ much, if at all. But the loss of the benefits adds up to quite a substantial amount.

If you are looking to apply for a position, now is the time to do it. This is very much the recruiting season for a start in the new academic year.

Can I ask though, if you are not currently in Thailand, why do you want to come here and then look for a job? Do it from where you are now, even if not in your home country, and you will then get the better overseas hire package.

I would say the time has already passed. I have some friends who were just recruited from SEA to Africa.

They just finalized the agreement.

It is my understanding that most moves of this sort are firmed up over the Xmas/New Years break. And the moves occur over the summr holdiays

Not at all. Some schools may have completed their recruitment, but I know from personal experience there are still plenty of jobs around at this time. You only have to look at the TES to see that.

However, you do need to get on the case immediately, not next week, right now. Closing dates for applications are coming thick and fast.

[ivan96822]

Many people talk about getting hired from abroad at an international school in order to get the big bucks.

What could one expect to earn if hired locally in Bangkok from an international school? I'm talking someone with teaching experience in the west, a teaching certificate from the west, and a Master's degree in Education or some other equivalent? When would be the best time of the year to come over to apply for teaching positions at REAL international schools in Bangkok?

It varies from school to school, but local hires miss out on things like relocation allowance, flights home, and in some cases, the housing allowance. From my knowledge, most schools have a set salary scale (I've seen these for a good number of the better international schools in Bangkok), so local vs overseas hire salaries may not differ much, if at all. But the loss of the benefits adds up to quite a substantial amount.

If you are looking to apply for a position, now is the time to do it. This is very much the recruiting season for a start in the new academic year.

Can I ask though, if you are not currently in Thailand, why do you want to come here and then look for a job? Do it from where you are now, even if not in your home country, and you will then get the better overseas hire package.

I live in Hawaii, so even if I were to to go a recruiting site, I would have to travel overseas, hence, pay airfare. I have seen that most recruitments take place in large cities in the U.S. (Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago) or in places such as Canada or Britain. Traveling there would cost money, obviously.

[LucidLucifer]

Recruitment fairs are one way to go, but far from your only option. All the major British curriculum international schools advertise in the UK press (Times Educational Supplement). Google it. Does the US not have something simillar?

They also advertise on their own website, so you can apply direct. I presume you would be looking at US curriculum schools; find out their names and go to their website and look. In Bangkok NIST and ISB, are two that spring to mind, although I am sure there are others.

http://www.isb.ac.th/Job_Opportunities/default.aspx

http://www.nist.ac.th/n_theschool/employment.aspx

Good luck.

[Phatcharanan]

Not at all. Some schools may have completed their recruitment, but I know from personal experience there are still plenty of jobs around at this time. You only have to look at the TES to see that.

However, you do need to get on the case immediately, not next week, right now. Closing dates for applications are coming thick and fast.

Currently, the TES website has just over 3,000 vacancies. Just prior to the middle of December, that number was approx 1,300, I can almost guarantee that after another 2-3 weeks that number will have increased to 5,000 +

For the most part though, senior management positions have already been finalised although there are still quite a few being advertised.

[culicine]

Well, if I were a highly educated NES with qualifications such as TEFL and/or experience in teaching, I would expect (meaning demand) at least 50-60k THB/month (the more, the better). I would probably also expect my prospective employer to cover the costs of the air tickets, arrange some accommodation at least at the very beginning, etc.

Being a non-native speaker having neither a relevant degree nor special qualifications, aware that my English is far from perfect, I would maybe agree to work for 30-40k depending on other conditions.

Many people who have never worked as a teacher seem to think that teachers don't deserve high salaries because, among other reasons, they work only twenty-something hours a week. I was also consoling myself that it is light work, so I shouldn't complain, when I taught a foreign language at a university. Only when I gave up the job did I realize how hard it had been...

Now I work for a company and it is less tiring, even though it is a 9-to-5 job forcing me to get up early in the morning (at the university I started not earlier than at 11 a.m., often in the afternoon). What's more, I have no problems with my vocal cords any longer.

Your salaries are a little on the high side.....non-natives generally get 15-30K, and native speakers usually get 30-45K. It varies from school to school (Thai schools), and some schools pay up to about 80K, but these are few and far between.

International schools can vary from 25K (not really 'international') up to 150K or close to it. Of course those high paying schools get hundreds of well qualified and experienced applicants, so chances are slim. Get hired from overseas to they best school that will take you, then work up from there.