Top 10 Highest-Paying Countries for Teaching English Abroad in 2025

Where TEFL teachers earn the most — salaries, benefits, visas, and what to expect.

Introduction: Why 2025 Is the Best Time to Teach Abroad

With global teacher shortages, rising demand for English-language education, and booming online teaching markets, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for TEFL teachers in over a decade.

If you want to:

Earn a high salary
Live somewhere exciting
Build international experience
Save money while you travel

…then choosing the right country makes all the difference.

Below is the 2025 updated list of the highest-paying TEFL destinations, including realistic salary ranges, lifestyle expectations, visa notes, and what makes each place unique.

1. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Salary: $3,000–$5,500 USD/month + free housing
Top cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi

The UAE remains the king of TEFL salaries.

Why it pays so well:

Huge investment in English education
Tax-free salaries
Premium international schools

Benefits often include:

✔ Free housing
✔ Paid flights
✔ Health insurance
✔ End-of-contract bonus

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree
TEFL/TESOL
1–2 years teaching experience (usually)

Best for:

Teachers who want high income and a luxury lifestyle.

2. Saudi Arabia

Salary: $3,000–$4,500 USD/month
Extras: Housing, flights, health insurance

Saudi Arabia quietly offers some of the highest savings potential in the world.

Why it’s great:

Low cost of living
Tax-free salary
Modern schools

Requirements:

Degree + TEFL required
Teaching experience preferred

Best for:

Teachers who want to save $20k+ per year.

3. South Korea

Salary: $1,800–$3,000 USD/month
Extras: Free housing + bonus

South Korea has been a TEFL hotspot for years — and 2025 is no different.

Why teachers love Korea:

Ultra-modern lifestyle
Safe, clean cities
Amazing food
Generous vacation

EPIK program:

Government program that hires new teachers.
Perfect for beginners with TEFL.

Best for:

First-time teachers who want stability, high income, and benefits.

4. Japan

Salary: $2,000–$3,000 USD/month
Extras: Flights (sometimes), housing stipends

Japan offers strong salaries but has a slightly higher cost of living.

Perks include:

Cultural richness
Safe, organised cities
World-famous school programs

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree
TEFL recommended
Some employers prefer experience

Best for:

Teachers who want cultural immersion AND great pay.

5. China

Salary: $2,000–$4,200 USD/month
Extras: Housing + airfare + meals (often)

China remains one of the strongest TEFL job markets on Earth.

Why:

Massive demand
Huge range of schools
Growing international education market

Notes for 2025:

Some visa rules fluctuate, but demand remains very high.

Best for:

Teachers who want serious salary potential with lots of job choices.

6. Vietnam

Salary: $1,400–$2,200 USD/month
Cost of living: Very low (cheap rent, food, transport)

Vietnam offers one of the best salary-to-lifestyle ratios in Asia.

Why teachers choose Vietnam:

Beautiful lifestyle
Low cost of living
Flexible job market
Huge demand for English

Requirements:

TEFL required
Degree preferred but NOT always required

Teachers can save real money even with no experience.

7. Taiwan

Salary: $1,900–$2,800 USD/month
Extras: Bonuses + reliable contracts

Taiwan is underrated but pays extremely well.

Highlights:

Bilingual education push
Clean, modern, safe
Friendly people
Great healthcare

Requirements:

TEFL + bachelor’s degree

Best for:

Teachers wanting great income without the intensity of China or Japan.

8. Thailand

Salary: $1,000–$1,500 USD/month
Cost of living: Low

While Thailand doesn’t offer the highest pay, the lifestyle value is unmatched.

Teachers love:

Beaches
Night markets
Expats everywhere
Good work–life balance

Salary isn’t massive, but quality of life is.

Best for:

Beginners who want an easy, fun, affordable start.

9. Spain

Salary: $1,000–$1,500 USD/month
Extras: Cultural assistant programs

Spain offers lower salaries but high demand and a beautiful lifestyle.

Pros:

Easy for new teachers
Amazing food & culture
Great for EU passport holders or language assistant programs

Cost of living:

Moderate — biggest expense is rent, but manageable.

Best for:

Teachers who want Europe without strict requirements.

10. Cambodia

Salary: $900–$1,500 USD/month
Cost of living: Extremely low

Cambodia is one of the easiest countries for beginners.

Why it’s rising fast:

No degree required in many schools
Simple visa process
Growing English demand
Many job openings year-round
Perfect for new teachers

Best for:

People who want to start immediately without strict requirements.

Bonus: Teach English Online (Anywhere in the World)

Salary: $10–$25 USD/hour

Not a country, but online teaching remains a big money-maker in 2025.

Why online is booming:

Work from any country
Choose your hours
Start fast
No visa needed

Platforms include:

Cambly
Preply
Italki
AmazingTalker
Private students (highest pay)

Online teaching + living in a cheap country = big savings.

Which Country Should YOU Choose?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Highest income:

UAE
Saudi Arabia
China

Best for beginners:

Cambodia
Thailand
Spain (assistants)

Best lifestyle balance:

South Korea
Vietnam
Taiwan

Most money saved:

Saudi Arabia
UAE
China

Most fun:

Thailand
Spain
Vietnam

Where you should go depends on your goals — money, lifestyle, experience, or adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience for these countries?

Not always. Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Spain accept beginners.

Do I need a degree?

Some countries require it (Japan, Korea). Others don’t (Cambodia, Mexico, some parts of Thailand).

Is TEFL required?

Yes — a 120-hour accredited TEFL is the global standard.

Can I save money teaching abroad?

Yes — especially in high-paying countries like China, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion: 2025 Is the Best Year to Start Your TEFL Career

With global demand rising and salaries increasing, 2025 is the perfect time to get certified and start teaching abroad.

Whether you want high earnings, a beach lifestyle, or flexible online work — TEFL opens all of those doors.

Ready to start your teaching journey?

Get your internationally recognised TEFL/TESOL certification today.

✔ Accredited
✔ Affordable
✔ 100% online
✔ Instant certificate

👉 Enroll now and teach anywhere in 2025.