Overall Salary

[melvaughn]

What is the overall/standard salary at most Universities in Thailand? I taught at Universities in South Korea for two years at $2500 a month so I'm use to a slightly high salary. Although now I'm in China for only $1200 a month. I have quite high student loans I'm trying to pay off and need to save a significant amount of money each month. I've always wanted to teach in Thailand but would have second thoughts if the salary were under or equivalent to what I'm making now in China.

I have a masters and TESL Certificate if that helps.

Can anyone give me a rough estimate in US/Canadian figures?

Thanks

Edited January 13, 2015 by melvaughn

[zeichen]

Thai univerities are about the same or lower than China. China Universities pay lower than every othe type of job. Try international schools in China, you will earn about 18-23k rmb a month 3k usd up.

[Mario2008]

As said, pay is mostly lower or same. Many Thai teachers at university make extra cash by teaching extra to students.

[lostinisaan]

The usual "Rajabhat" universities only pay around 19 K, plus around 6 K for accommodation. It seems that the weekend courses for people who're going for a Master's, or a BA, plus tutoring some students will provide an income that might enable you to save some money.

Very positive is that you only have to be there when you've got lessons to teach, usually not too many a week.

If I were you, I'd look for a private institution with a nice place to stay included. Life in Thailand isn't as cheap as it was many years ago.

Good luck finding a suitable position.

Edited January 14, 2015 by Scott

[casualbiker]

My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance.

[zeichen]

"My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance."

Yeah, you win!!!!

Unless you are offering him a job, what good does that do him? Average as in what most schools in a region pay not what your particular salary is.

[casualbiker]

"My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance."

Yeah, you win!!!!

Unless you are offering him a job, what good does that do him? Average as in what most schools in a region pay not what your particular salary is.

it's nothing to do with winning, it's to do with giving the Op answers to his question. My post was more in relation to the other post about Rajhabats. Really showing that there really is not an average when it comes to salaries. They are up and down, pretty much like the Thai school system in general!

[lostinisaan]

My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance.

How many hours of actually lecturing? Does that include weekends, as well?

[casualbiker]

My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance.

How many hours of actually lecturing? Does that include weekends, as well?

Not sure. I don't work there, my friends wife does. But I think its a fairly heavy work load. No weekends as far as I'm aware.

[SlyAnimal]

About 4 years ago I was offered a job at one of the nearby universities, they advised me that as I only have a bachelor degree, the standard rate would be 30k, and that if I had a masters or doctorate, that the standard rate would be higher. That was to work in the International office, assisting international students, not actually teaching.

30k THB per month is around $913 USD, so it's probably still less than what you're making in China.

Edit: Also wow @ 19k THB per month + 6k THB living allowance, although if it was for a non NES or someone without a bachelor degree, that might make sense (Or perhaps it was for a subject with a quite low workload?).

[zeichen]

Government schools had a salary cap before but not sure now if they do or what it is. That is why they get around it by adding the housing bonus. Private universities don't have such a cap. Back in 2000 the salary cap for government colleges was 20k for starting salary for Bachelors degree. Some schools didn't want you if you had a masters because they had to pay more.

Sorry for giving you a little ribbing Casual Biker. I just get annoyed when people post their salaries especially if they have worked at a school for a while. Not a standard starting salary which is what the OP will get.

If you check ajarn web page though and look at the majority of university lvl positions you will see the standard is around 30k a month for EFL teaching. Some pay more but average is just that so yes it is possible to give a rough idea of what someone will earn. People seldom tell what their starting salary was just what they are earning now.

Yes, for certain there are positions paying 40-50 or even 80k baht a month but those aren't the typical position and usually don't get those walking off the street.

I don't see why the OP left Korea if he was earning 2.8 million won at a Uni. That is a pretty good Uni salary there. A lot start at around 2-2.2 million.

International schools in China pay the best in the region. Korea pays the best for Academies (hagwons) And also pays well for Uni positions. Japan pays the best for Uni positions especially if you can get on tenure track. Thailand pays the lowest for all categories.

The cost of living is only about 20% cheaper though so a reduction of salary by 50% doesn't justiy a lower cost of living.

[Rhys]

At a southern university, they would start you out with your MA at about 28K/monthly....they provide housing... and take care of your paper work, thus work permit and visa renewals...

[melvaughn]

At a southern university, they would start you out with your MA at about 28K/monthly....they provide housing... and take care of your paper work, thus work permit and visa renewals...

okay, thanks for replies....it's a bit low for me at the moment. Might go for the international schools in China or Middle East and return to Thailand down the road!

[Mario2008]

An international school in Thailand will definitely pay more than 30,000, but you must have the right qualifications.

[zeichen]

Yes Mario but they pay less than China a lot less. Typically here most of the job offers I get at International schools range from 50-80k. My last job in China was paying 24krmb about 120k+ baht a month with airfare, housing and meals included. Though taxes are more than double of Thailand, saving was double almost triple of what I could even dream of in Thailand.

If money is an issue, Thailand is never a first choice.

[cgphuket]

Universities in Thailand pay between 20,000 baht and 100,000 baht, depending on the school, your qualifications, and what your teaching. I think the average is about 50-60,000 a month.

[zeichen]

I think the average is about 50-60,000 a month.

Link to your source would be nice. As that seems about 70% higher than every single job posting from Universities.

100k for base pay at Universities? Rare to impossible.

[melvaughn]

I think the average is about 50-60,000 a month.

Link to your source would be nice. As that seems about 70% higher than every single job posting from Universities.

100k for base pay at Universities? Rare to impossible.

Ya 60,000 a month is around $2100 Canadian. If that were possible, I would then consider. That's almost what I was making in Korea....

[casualbiker]

Send out your resume/cv and see if you get a bite.. maybe put on the covering letter your expected salary " over 60,000b per month" you can't really lose can you!

Also look at the international schools. A second or third tier school maybe interested. Also EP programs many of those pay 40-60k plus.

What's your bachelors and masters in?

Edited January 14, 2015 by casualbiker

[zeichen]

Another problem is that the Thai university calendar shifted last year. So you won't find jobs until around July.

I think the poster that was claiming 50k+ was not starting salary and was not for EFL. I do know of professors in Engineering, computer programming, that make a lot. But unless you are teaching specialized courses, schools are just not going to hire someone for 50k+ base salary to teach fundamental courses. Even Chula hires people with a Bachelors to cut costs.

[ChrisB87]

Our local Rajabhat (lower Isaan) pays 28k if you have a bachelor's degree and 32k if you have a masters. 13 month contracts. 15-18 teaching hours per week. Weekend classes pay depending on how many students are there. Full government holidays, plus an extra allowance of flexible holidays. Apparently, all in all, just under 4 months off.

It's not great is it? But certainly competitive around these parts. Us "farang" have to be the ones to raise our own salary and working conditions cos nobody else will do it for us. Though, it'll take some communication and banding together.

[culicine]

My local rajhapat pays 38k baht in total 28k basic plus 10k housing allowance.

How many hours of actually lecturing? Does that include weekends, as well?

Also some universities require the ajarn to be there from 9am - 3pm everyday, even if not teaching, and only 2 weeks holiday a year, as is standard for government institutions. I have a PhD, but stay in the private school system, as the salary teaching kids is generally higher. However, there are opportunities in universities to teach extra classes during the week for extra pay.

[scorecard]

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Universities in Thailand pay between 20,000 baht and 100,000 baht, depending on the school, your qualifications, and what your teaching. I think the average is about 50-60,000 a month.

Many foreign uni lecturers in Thailand are not on a salary at all, they get paid by the hour and according to what courses they have been offered and have accepted.

Some semesters might be several courses (maybe 3?) and in some semesters maybe 1 or even zero courses, and no income at all during the semester breaks except uni's which have 'summer courses' etc., but still paid by the hour according to how many courses and perhaps different rates per course.

Also lecturers with bachelor degree are often paid significantly lower then lecturers with a masters or Ph.D.

Another possibility if you have a masters or Ph.D. is to try to get on the thesis / dissertation committees. Usually no salary, paid a meeting fee by the hour or by each meeting, normally 1 to 2 hours. Fees normally pretty good but such meetings not every month, perhaps 2 or 3 times a year.

[arrowsdawdle]

Thai univerities are about the same or lower than China. China Universities pay lower than every othe type of job. Try international schools in China, you will earn about 18-23k rmb a month 3k usd up.

This is accurate, and international schools pay a lot better and seem to prefer younger faculty. They are easy to find online, primarily in Bangkok.

[arrowsdawdle]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Universities in Thailand pay between 20,000 baht and 100,000 baht, depending on the school, your qualifications, and what your teaching. I think the average is about 50-60,000 a month.

Many foreign uni lecturers in Thailand are not on a salary at all, they get paid by the hour and according to what courses they have been offered and have accepted.

Some semesters might be several courses (maybe 3?) and in some semesters maybe 1 or even zero courses, and no income at all during the semester breaks except uni's which have 'summer courses' etc., but still paid by the hour according to how many courses and perhaps different rates per course.

Also lecturers with bachelor degree are often paid significantly lower then lecturers with a masters or Ph.D.

Another possibility if you have a masters or Ph.D. is to try to get on the thesis / dissertation committees. Usually no salary, paid a meeting fee by the hour or by each meeting, normally 1 to 2 hours. Fees normally pretty good but such meetings not every month, perhaps 2 or 3 times a year.

This is also accurate, but it should be noted that universities can have a limit on how many classes per semester a part-time teacher may teach, e.g., only one in some cases.

[dcpo]

I don't know about English teaching, but for an academic position the basic government salary for someone with a PhD is, if I recall correctly, 31,500 THB per month, which is not very high, and will be lower for lower qualifications. However, working for a university is still a pretty good job as lower ranked universities tend to leave their staff lots of free time for private tutoring etc., and researchers at the better universities (who will be more discriminating about their staff) make extra money through research grants (they are expected to publish research though). Some universities also have programs for new academics that provide extra money in return for an expectation that progress is made towards promotion to assistant professor. As a foreigner you can't legally moonlight as a tutor, but lots of people do anyway. When thinking about salary remember that the cost of living is relatively low.

[Daniel Boon]

A friend of mine in Cuba, who is a professor, retired last year after a two year stint in Africa, but his salary in the University of Havana was $30 a month.

[chondan]

Been working in Rajabhats' for 8 years. First 4 years I made 19,800 baht/mo. Plus 8k housing. Four years ago a raise. Now I get 20.700 baht/mo plus 8k housing. I do teach on weekends now and then. I like it where I am at. The staff is super. Down to earth people. But you will never make the money in Thailand, that you make elsewhere. If you are teaching for the money, and not for the love and satisfaction of giving farmers kids a good future life here, then Thailand is not the place for you. I teach here because, at the end of the year, my students are a little better prepared for life. And when they graduate, it is quit a tear jerker with students and mom and dad. I love it. Chondan

[alien365]

My University pays B31,000 per month. We have about 14 hours teaching per week but the marking and preparation takes a long time. We don't teach on weekends but there's usually the choice of doing a few extra courses during the summer to make more money. Most importantly to me is the rare 12 month contract and the likeable students.

[pauleddy]

Eddy worked for 5 years at a "famous" public uni in mid-BKK.

When he started in 2005, the salary was 19k plus 10k for accommodation (to be spent how he wished). This has probably gone up to 35+10 by now. Some unis don't need you to be there all week, and give you about 4 months' leave, as long as you show your face now and again.

New Thai teachers teaching English, fresh from college, used to take 13k-15k but they do have other bnfs (cheaper rooms if they want them plus get paid for doing PhD--but have to sign up for 10 years teaching afterwards, or pay penalties)

The only way the NES could earn vast salaries at Uni was to teach on EP "international courses" (where the parents pay more for little Somsak to study in English). Some NES went doolally and took on 4 extra EP courses per term besides the obligatory English for Thai programme (4 cadres or classes). One could get rather rich for putting in 12-16 hours extra per week--hourly paid, now at about 3250 per hour! But, this is not to be found at every uni--and you must get your feet under the table.

On the subject of Rajabhats, Eddy went to two interviews many years ago. At one, the Thai English teachers spoke only poor Tinglish. At the other, the non-Thai NES guy who was the Head of English told Eddy NOT to go there: the kids chewed gum and gabbled on IPhones all day, in class. The guy looked like he had already had 3 breakdowns.

Eddy have heard that der is some good Rajabhats, sure, but dey is mainly good for catering and tourism studies.

Eddy