International school teacher salaries are not published in one place. Each school sets its own package, and the same school often pays overseas hires more than local hires. On Teacher Jobs World on 16 October 2026, only 43 of 1,363 live ads (3%) stated a salary (October 2026 report). What you can save depends on four things: your pay, the income tax in the country, whether the school gives you housing, and your own costs. The published pay of government programmes, such as Hong Kong’s NET Scheme, Japan’s JET and Korea’s EPIK, gives you real numbers to compare offers against.
This guide shows the official pay figures we could find, the income tax in popular countries, and a simple way to work out your savings for any offer. Figures were checked on official pages in October 2026.
Why there is no single salary table
International schools are mostly private, and each one has its own salary scale. Some groups publish their scale to candidates; most share it only at interview. That is why you will see very different figures on forums and in salary surveys.
Two facts help you read any figure:
- Overseas hire or local hire. Shanghai American School, for example, gives overseas hires school housing, airfare at the end of each contracted year and a relocation allowance; its locally hired expat teachers have a one-year first contract and fewer benefits listed (Shanghai American School).
- Salary or package. Housing, flights, tuition for your children and end-of-contract payments can be worth as much as a large part of the salary. Compare packages, not salaries.
Our guide to international school salary and benefits explains each part of a package.
International school teacher salary by country: published figures
These are the official figures we could find, all for the 2026/27 school year or the current contract.
| Country and programme | Published pay | Housing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong, NET Scheme (secondary) | HK$35,080 to HK$81,510 a month, plus a special allowance of HK$20,989 a month for teachers recruited from outside Hong Kong | No housing; the special allowance is paid instead | EDB |
| Japan, JET Programme | About ¥4.02 million a year before tax in year 1, ¥4.14 million in year 2, ¥4.26 million in year 3 | You find and pay for your own home | JET |
| Korea, EPIK | About 2.2 to 2.8 million won a month, by level and region | A home provided by the education office; you pay utilities | EPIK |
Some details matter:
- Hong Kong: NETs without a local PGDE or equivalent cannot go past point 20 of the pay scale (HK$44,765 a month). A contract gratuity of 10% of basic salary is paid after each of the first two contracts, and 15% after that (EDB). If your spouse’s employer already gives you housing benefits, you may not get the special allowance (EDB).
- Japan: JET says the first costs of renting are often 4 to 7 months’ rent (deposit, key money, agent’s fee and rent in advance), and you must pay them before your first salary (JET FAQ).
- Korea: EPIK is not hiring at Level 3 at present; Level 2 pays about 2.2 to 2.35 million won. EPIK also pays a contract completion bonus of 1.3 million won in most regions and severance of about one month’s salary (EPIK).
Our guide to teaching English in Japan and Korea covers JET and EPIK in full.
Salaries stated in ads on our board
A few schools do state pay in their ads. On Teacher Jobs World on 16 October 2026, for example:
| Job | Country | Stated pay |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary K-8 teacher, La Scuola International School | United States | US$70,000 to US$85,000 a year |
| Preschool / early education teacher, La Scuola International School | United States | US$70,000 to US$80,000 a year |
| English teacher, Kids&Us (accommodation provided) | Spain | From €1,450 a month |
| ESL substitute teacher, EF Education First | Canada | $30 to $35 an hour (currency as shown in the ad) |
These are single ads, not averages. You can see current ones on the visa sponsorship jobs page and the Spain jobs page.
Income tax: why the same salary saves differently
Tax is one of the biggest differences between countries.
| Country | Income tax on a teacher’s salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | “The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals.” | u.ae |
| Hong Kong | Progressive rates from 2% to 17% on net chargeable income, but never more than the standard rate of 15% on net income (16% on the part above HK$5 million) | GovHK |
| Singapore | Resident rates from 0% (first S$20,000) up to 24%; a non-resident pays 15% or the resident rates, whichever is higher | IRAS |
| Japan (JET) | You pay Japanese income tax and resident tax | JET FAQ |
Two warnings:
- Your home country may still tax you. Some countries tax their citizens or residents on income earned abroad. Check your home tax authority’s rules before you count on “tax-free” pay.
- Pensions. A job abroad may not pay into your home pension. Ask whether the school offers a pension or savings plan.
How to work out your savings for any offer
Use this worksheet for each offer, in one currency and for one year:
| Line | What to put in |
|---|---|
| A. Salary | The yearly basic salary before tax |
| B. Allowances and bonuses | Housing allowance (if cash), completion bonus or gratuity divided by contract years, other cash allowances |
| C. Income tax | Use the country’s official rates or calculator |
| D. Housing | Rent and utilities you pay yourself; zero if the school provides a home and pays utilities |
| E. Family costs | School fees not covered, childcare, flights not paid |
| F. Living costs | Food, transport, phone, health costs not covered, travel |
| Savings | A + B − C − D − E − F |
Then compare the result, not the salary. A lower salary with free housing and no income tax can save more than a higher salary where you pay rent and tax.
What raises your savings
- Free housing, or an allowance that covers the rent you would actually pay.
- Low or no income tax in the country, and no tax at home.
- Flights and tuition paid for every family member.
- An end-of-contract payment. Hong Kong NET’s gratuity is 10% to 15% of basic salary; the UAE has an end-of-service gratuity set by law (see our salary and benefits guide).
- A teaching partner. Two salaries and one home is the strongest savings position. See teaching couples and teachers with children.
What lowers them
- Paying your own rent, especially in a city with high rents and large upfront costs (JET’s 4 to 7 months’ rent is an example).
- Dependants who are not covered by the package.
- Income tax at home on top of the tax abroad.
- A contract shorter than the time it takes to earn back your moving costs.
Best countries to teach and save money
There is no official ranking, and anyone who gives you one is guessing about packages they have not seen. What the official sources do show:
- The UAE levies no personal income tax, and overseas-hire packages there often include housing or a housing allowance; ask each school. The UAE also requires a salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, to sponsor your family (u.ae). On 16 October 2026 we listed 211 jobs in the UAE.
- Hong Kong has low salaries tax capped at 15% for most teachers, and the NET Scheme publishes a high pay scale, but housing is expensive and the NET package has no free home. We listed 30 jobs in Hong Kong.
- Korea (EPIK) pays less in cash, but the home is provided, which keeps costs down for a single teacher.
- Singapore has progressive tax up to 24%, and a Dependant’s Pass needs a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 (MOM). We listed 41 jobs in Singapore.
For countries such as Kenya, China, Thailand, India, Malaysia or Vietnam, we found no official salary data for international schools. Ask each school for its scale, and use the worksheet.
Highest paying international schools: how to tell
Schools do not publish rankings, so judge each offer on its package. Signs of a strong package:
- The school shares its full salary scale and the step you will start on.
- Housing is provided or fully covered, and sized for your family.
- Flights are paid every year, not only at the start and end.
- Tuition is free for your children, with places in their year groups.
- There is a gratuity, bonus or pension, and the contract says when it is paid.
- Medical cover includes your family.
Our guides to the hiring season and interview questions explain when and how to ask about pay.
Pay scales and tax rules change every year. The figures here are from official pages checked in October 2026. Check the current pages and get advice on your own tax position; this guide is not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much do international school teachers earn?
There is no single figure, because each school sets its own pay. Published programmes give a guide: Hong Kong NETs earn HK$35,080 to HK$81,510 a month on the 2026/27 scale plus a HK$20,989 special allowance for overseas appointees, JET pays about ¥4.02 million in year 1, and EPIK about 2.2 to 2.8 million won a month.
Which countries are best to teach abroad and save money?
Countries with no or low income tax and provided housing usually leave the most to save. The UAE levies no income tax on individuals, and Hong Kong’s salaries tax is capped at a 15% standard rate for most teachers. Korea’s EPIK provides housing. Always work out the savings for the actual package.
Are international school teacher salaries tax-free?
Only in some countries. The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan do tax salaries. Your home country may also tax income earned abroad, so check its rules before you assume an offer is tax-free.
What is the teacher salary abroad per month?
It varies widely. EPIK in Korea pays about 2.2 to 2.8 million won a month, the Hong Kong NET Scheme starts at HK$35,080 a month plus allowance, and one Spanish language school ad on our board offered from €1,450 a month with accommodation. Compare whole packages, not monthly pay.
Do international schools pay more than schools at home?
Sometimes, especially once housing, flights, tuition and low tax are counted. But some international schools may pay less than state schools in countries with high teacher pay. Compare the full package and the savings you would have, using the worksheet in this guide.