For my third installation, I will be tackling about the salary of OFWs working as teachers in Thailand.
If you haven’t read my first 2 parts of the series yet, you can read Part 1 and Part 2 here.
What matters…
Knowing how much an aspiring teacher will earn is the most important factor when applying for a job. Adding the fact that we Filipinos usually don’t only work for ourselves but for our families as well. Therefore, the higher the salary the better. It’s most likely then that the applicant will accept the job.
The answer to the question, “How much does a Filipino teacher earn in Thailand?” isn’t fixed. Because there are many variables to be considered, the salary is different for everyone.
Disclaimer: Before reading further, let me just say that the content of this post is based entirely on my personal observation and experience, together with some insights from close friends and colleagues.
Minimum Salary
The minimum salary that a Filipino teacher could earn is 15,000 THB (24,000PHP) a month. Although it isn’t ideal, some teachers working in provinces or under an agency are paid with this amount. In reality, however, 15,000 THB isn’t enough. To think about the teacher’s daily allowances, accommodation, visa fees and money sent to the Philippines, only a penny will be left for herself.
Filipino teachers in Thailand are pushing the minimum up to 20,000 THB (33,000 PHP) as we deserved it to be. New teachers are encouraged and reminded not to settle themselves lower than this rate when looking for a job.
There are factors affecting a teacher’s salary bracket which I will explain more below.
1. Type of school applying
Different types of schools pay differently. A government school for example, which usually hires an agency to find teachers for them, pay their teachers 18,000 THB- 25,000 THB (29,000- 41,000 PHP) for 20 periods of teaching. However, as I mentioned earlier, some government schools in provinces may only offer the teacher 15,000 THB- 18,000 THB (24,000- 29,000PHP) for the same number of periods or more.
An advantage of working in government schools is that accommodations for their teachers are already arranged. And sometimes, they provide it for free with meals (e.g. lunch).
On the contrary, in private and International schools (as a teaching assistant or learning support), teachers may receive a higher salary than those in the government schools. The initial pay could be from 20,000 THB- 35,000 THB (33,000- 57,000 PHP) but still depending on other factors such as qualifications and years of experience. The school may offer more pay for extra courses or homework club.
2. Qualifications
Your qualifications will give you more edge than others. Employers expect you to be a graduate of a 4–year degree course. The higher the education you got, the higher the probability you’ll get higher pay. This is true not only for teachers but to other professionals as well.
For comparison, a licensed teacher with only a Bachelor’s degree will start with 20,000 -25,000 THB (33,000- 41,000 PHP) but if he graduated with a Master’s degree, he’ll get 25,000-30,000 THB (41,000- 49,000 PHP) or more.
3. Experience
This factor has the same value as in any other jobs. The more experienced a person is, the more knowledgeable and skilled he is. Therefore, he can demand more pay. That’s only reasonable and right.
So, say a new teacher applicant has 3-5 years of teaching experience either in the Philippines or in Thailand. He will be entitled to higher pay as compared to a newly licensed teacher with no working experience.
Filipino teachers who have been continuously working in private and International schools in Thailand for 5-10 years are expected to be earning 30,000- 70,000 THB (49,000-115,000 PHP). Teachers who stay in the same school for a long time will entitle them a salary increase every year.
That is it, guys! I hope it answered your questions about the salary of a teacher in Thailand.
Good luck to all teachers!
*All conversions to PHP are as of 12/05/2018
Are you a teacher? Would you consider working in Thailand?
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Thanks, your analysis is supberb.Jun.
Thanks for your kind words Jun. =)
I’m curious about the education system in Thailand. Do most of their books in school are written in English or Thai?
And conversion app do you use? I often use XE which has higher rate than remittance centers.
I hope our President will make an arrangement between our country and Thailand. Nowadays, 15,000BHT as a minimum salary for Filipino Teachers is not quite right. Mostly now, the cost of living in the Philippines got higher. Even our flights inside or outside of our country has been increased. 24,000PHP salary as an OFW is not enough to send money in Philippines, to save money when you want a vacation and specially you can’t even buy your own needs. I hope we can do something to increase our minimum salary for Filipinos. I hope at least 23,000BHT. Before I forgot, in my own experience when I was renewing my contract last year they want to decrease my salary from 23,500BHT to 20,000BHT because they said the school doesn’t enough budget. But it’s a Government school. But we fought for it and everyone got mad. In the end our salary remains at 23,500BHT. But I don’t know yet if, they will renew my contract next year. Everyone in my school right now has a fake smile at me and they are not talking to me. I don’t understand Thai people sometimes.
I totally agree with you about increasing the salary of Filipino teachers in Thailand. I’ve been in situations like you when I felt used and underpaid. It’s important to have common understanding between all of us OFWs in Thailand as to how much will be our minimum wage.
Hi Ira,
Go and find another job that offers higher salary. Instead of raising your salary…the school want to pay you lesser. That is going to be negative in the future, as other schools will follow soon. The more Filipinos will accept low salaries, the more the schools will controll the low salaries. Filipinos might not be a native english speakers, but English is their another primary language and NOt considered as a 2nd language. Furthermore, Filipinos are dedicated, committed and passionate in teaching, and easy to blend with other cultures.
Hi Rose,
I completely agree with everything you said. We have to raise our standards and prove to others that we are skilled and hard-working employees who deserve a better pay.
Ira
Hi! I am planning to go to Thailand to work as a teacher.
Is it better if I get an agency or just to go as an walk in applicant? Thanks.
Hi Edeza,
I would recommend you getting an agency to help you with application. As agencies go, they’ll do everything for you including visa and arrangements once you’re in Thailand. However, you can also apply online and find suitable jobs by yourself.
Hi! I am planning on teaching in Thailand and currently searching for private schools to submit my resume. Is it okay to apply even though I don’t have a TEFL certificate?
Hi Bonna,
Yes, it’s alright but it will always be to your advantage if you completed TEFL course in your application.
Goodluck!
How about those teachers who have teaching experiences in other countries? Thank you.
Hi Blessie,
In that case, you will have an even bigger chance of finding a job in Thailand with your working experience abroad. =)
Hello! I would like to ask po if you know any recruitment agency here in the Philippines for Thailand po. Thank you very much.
Hello Ira
Can I teach ESL in Thailand even if I am not an Education grad ? Thanks
Yes, you can. Usually, in government schools or language centers, they accept any 4-year course graduates.