How much does a teacher earn abroad?

Salaries range from $25,000 to $100,000+ depending on region, experience, and school. Wondering Staffroom helps you compare real-world teacher packages anonymously.

What’s included in a typical international teaching package?

Common benefits include housing allowance, flights, health insurance, and tax-free salary. Use our comparison tool to see real examples.

What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Qatar?

Many qualified international teachers in Qatar report tax-free salaries broadly in the 9,000–16,000 QAR per month range, with housing and other benefits on top in stronger schools.

Do schools in Qatar provide housing?

Yes, many international schools in Qatar provide either school accommodation or a housing allowance. The exact arrangement has a big impact on your real savings potential.

Is the salary tax-free in Qatar?

Qatar does not currently levy income tax on employment income for most expatriate teachers, so salaries are often described as tax-free. You may still have tax responsibilities in your home country.

Is Qatar good for saving money?

For many teachers, Qatar offers strong savings potential because of tax-free income, relatively contained day-to-day costs, and the fact that housing and flights are often covered.

What should I check before accepting a job in Qatar?

Look closely at housing, medical cover, school fee discounts for dependants, transport, contact hours, duties, and whether there are hidden costs such as utilities or visa fees.

Country Guide · Qatar

International school teacher salaries in Qatar

Qatar has a dense cluster of international schools, especially in and around Doha. Packages can be attractive – often tax-free and with housing – but competition for the strongest schools is high. This guide looks at salaries, benefits, cost of living and what teachers say about saving money in Qatar.

Currency

Qatari Riyal (QAR)

Pegged to the US dollar, which adds some stability.

Typical salary band*

~ 9,000 – 16,000 QAR / month

Qualified international school teachers, tax-free, before extras.

Contracts

2-year contracts are common

Often with renewal bonuses and end-of-service pay.

Tax

No income tax on salary

Check home-country tax rules separately.

Typical salary ranges in Qatar

As with other Gulf states, there is a noticeable gap between the strongest international schools and those operating on tighter budgets. The headline salary is only one part of the picture: housing, flights, school places and workload all shape the real value of a package.

Lower to mid-range schools

Some schools advertise salaries for classroom teachers in the 7,000–10,000 QAR per month range, sometimes with shared accommodation and basic flights. These posts can still offer some savings, but the margin is thinner once real living costs and any debts back home are included.

Check carefully how many staff share housing, what utilities are included and whether transport to school is provided.

Established international schools

At more established international schools in Doha, teachers often report salaries roughly in the 9,000–16,000 QAR per month range, tax-free, with housing or a housing allowance, annual flights, medical insurance and varying levels of fee remission for dependants.

Leadership roles, hard-to-fill subjects and long experience can sit above this band.

*All figures here are indicative only and based on broad ranges from job adverts and teacher experiences, not a fixed national scale.

Cost of living and savings potential

Qatar is compact, highly developed and leans heavily towards a car-based, mall-centred lifestyle. Costs can feel high in some areas, but with housing covered and careful budgeting, many teachers still manage to save well.

Everyday spending

Supermarket costs and eating out at Western-style venues can be noticeably higher than in many teachers’ home countries. However, local eateries, home cooking and more intentional spending can bring monthly costs down significantly.

Transport is often one of the main expenses if you rely on taxis or private cars; public transport is improving but still limited in comparison to some cities.

Savings potential

On mid- to upper-range packages, many teachers report being able to save a significant portion of income each month, especially when they keep a close eye on lifestyle spending and avoid trying to replicate every possible luxury.

On more modest packages, careful budgeting is essential. The combination of tax-free income and covered housing still makes Qatar attractive for paying down debts or building a savings buffer.

What is it like to live and teach in Qatar?

Qatar offers a relatively small, concentrated international teacher community. Many teachers live in similar areas, shop in the same places and see familiar faces on weekends, which can make the transition easier – but also means the bubble can feel quite small at times.

Expect:

Modern infrastructure, large malls, international food options and well-maintained public spaces, especially around central Doha and the waterfront.
A hot climate for much of the year, with life shifting indoors during the peak summer months and moving outdoors in the cooler season.
School communities that can feel intense at times, with high expectations from parents and leadership, but also strong staff friendships and support networks when the fit is right.

Who is Qatar a good fit for?

Qatar may work particularly well if you:

Want a compact, well-developed Gulf posting with strong savings potential and relatively easy travel to other destinations.
Are comfortable with a car-based, mall-centred lifestyle and do not mind living in a relatively small country.
Are ready to read contracts carefully and ask detailed questions about housing, utilities and fee remission for any children you might have.

Compare your Qatar offer

Have an offer from a school in Doha or elsewhere in Qatar? Use My Offer vs. The World to see how your package compares with anonymous submissions from other teachers around the world.

🎯 My Offer vs. The World

Explore more on Wondering Staffroom

Visit Browse salaries to see Qatar alongside other destinations.
Use Analytics to explore how Qatar compares in charts and graphs.
Share your own Qatar package via the Submit form to help other teachers benchmark their offers.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Qatar?: Many qualified international teachers in Qatar report tax-free salaries broadly in the 9,000–16,000 QAR per month range, with housing and other benefits on top in stronger schools.
Do schools in Qatar provide housing?: Yes, many international schools in Qatar provide either school accommodation or a housing allowance. The exact arrangement has a big impact on your real savings potential.
Is the salary tax-free in Qatar?: Qatar does not currently levy income tax on employment income for most expatriate teachers, so salaries are often described as tax-free. You may still have tax responsibilities in your home country.
Is Qatar good for saving money?: For many teachers, Qatar offers strong savings potential because of tax-free income, relatively contained day-to-day costs, and the fact that housing and flights are often covered.
What should I check before accepting a job in Qatar?: Look closely at housing, medical cover, school fee discounts for dependants, transport, contact hours, duties, and whether there are hidden costs such as utilities or visa fees.

Nothing on this page is financial or legal advice. All figures are indicative only and based on public ranges and teacher experiences.