Teaching English in the United Arab Emirates, especially in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers lucrative opportunities. While newcomers without teaching experience might find it challenging to secure top-tier roles, qualified and experienced teachers can expect substantial earnings of between $2,500 and $5,500 USD per month. Many institutions also cover housing expenses and even flight reimbursements.
Table of Contents
What are TEFL salaries in the United Arab Emirates?
Who are the main employers of English language teachers in the UAE?
Who else employs English language teachers in the UAE?
What is the cost of living for English teachers in the UAE?
What are TEFL salaries in the United Arab Emirates?
There are a wide variety of employment options throughout the country, all of which offer very competitive salaries. Monthly rates start in the region of 9,000 AED (currently $2,500 US), and rise to over 20,000 AED ($5,500 US) for those with high levels of qualifications and classroom experience. In addition, most teaching jobs will also include a benefit package that typically contains paid airfares, furnished accommodation, health insurance, and a contract completion bonus. As salaries are usually tax-free, most teachers should be able to save a considerable percentage of their salary every month.
Who are the main employers of English language teachers in the UAE?
Qualified ESL teachers will find a variety of opportunities in language schools and vocational colleges across the country. Most positions will require a bachelor's degree, TEFL certification, and previous teaching experience. Salaries in private language schools vary, but usually range from 9,000 to 15,000 AED ($2,500 to $4,000) per month, while vocational colleges pay between 11,000 and 15,000 AED ($3,000 and $4,000). Working hours in private language schools will depend on the clients and can often include evenings and weekends. In contrast, vocational colleges follow a more rigid pattern from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.
Who else employs English language teachers in the UAE?
Teachers who possess a teaching license will also be eligible to apply for positions in international schools and government run public schools. International schools generally cater to children of expats and follow a specific curriculum such as British or Australian. Salaries range from 10,000 to 14,000 AED ($2,700 to $3,800), with teaching hours from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. Those working within the public school system can expect to work similar hours, however, salaries are typically higher and range from 12,000 to 20,000 AED ($3,500 to $5,500) per month.
What is the cost of living for English teachers in the UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates the cost of living tends to be in the region of $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Fortunately, a significant proportion of teaching positions in the UAE include housing provisions as part of their employment package, alleviating this major cost. Given the competitive salaries, which often come paired with comprehensive benefits, English teachers in the UAE typically enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and are also able to save a substantial amount throughout their tenure.
