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 Thailand?

Many international school teachers in Thailand report salaries broadly in the 60,000–120,000 THB per month range, depending on experience, school type and location. There are posts below and above this band, particularly in language schools or top-tier internationals.

Do schools in Thailand provide housing?

Some international schools offer housing allowances or short-term accommodation on arrival, but many teachers rent privately. The cost of rent varies significantly between central Bangkok, other cities and smaller towns.

Is Thailand good for saving money?

Thailand is often chosen first for lifestyle rather than maximum savings. With a stronger package and thoughtful budgeting, teachers can still save, but it is usually not on the same scale as high-paying Gulf posts.

Which cities in Thailand have international schools?

Bangkok has the highest concentration of international schools, but there are also schools in cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and others.

What should I look for in a Thai job offer?

Check the salary in Thai Baht, housing support, medical insurance, visa assistance, workload, contact hours and whether there is fee remission if you have dependants.

Country Guide · Thailand

International school teacher salaries in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for teachers who want a blend of warm climate, travel opportunities and a lively expat scene. Salaries are not usually as high as in the Gulf, but day-to-day costs can be lower – particularly outside premium neighbourhoods in Bangkok.

Currency

Thai Baht (THB)

Local currency; rates can fluctuate, so always compare in THB first.

Typical salary band*

~ 60,000 – 120,000 THB / month

Qualified teachers in international schools, before benefits.

Contracts

1–2 year contracts

Renewals are common if school and teacher are happy.

Focus

Lifestyle & regional travel

Savings possible, but usually modest.

Typical salary ranges in Thailand

There is a wide range of schools in Thailand, from top-tier internationals with high fees and strong facilities, through to smaller, more locally focused schools and language centres. As a result, advertised salaries can vary a great deal.

Lower to mid-range offers

Some schools and language centres offer salaries in the 40,000–70,000 THB per month band, sometimes with limited benefits beyond visa support. These roles often appeal to early-career teachers or those prioritising a foothold in Thailand over savings.

It is important to check whether the salary comfortably covers rent, healthcare and any loan or credit commitments back home.

More competitive international packages

In better-established international schools, salaries often sit somewhere in the 70,000–120,000 THB per month range for qualified teachers, with some packages including housing allowances, bonuses and partial fee remission for dependants.

Higher salaries may be available for senior leaders or hard to fill specialist posts, particularly in high-fee schools.

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

Cost of living and savings potential

Thailand can feel very affordable or surprisingly expensive, depending largely on where and how you choose to live. Street food, local markets and shared accommodation can keep costs low; imported goods, central condos and frequent flights will push them up quickly.

Everyday spending

Eating local food, using public transport where possible and living slightly outside the most expensive expat areas can make everyday life very manageable on a teacher's salary. Bangkok rents vary hugely by neighbourhood; other cities may be cheaper overall.

Private healthcare can be excellent but costly, so good medical insurance is an important part of any package.

Savings potential

Many teachers describe Thailand as a place where you can live well and still save a little if you are intentional. On stronger packages, it is realistic to send money home or build a buffer, but Thailand is rarely a “big savings sprint” destination in the way that some Gulf posts can be.

If clearing debt is a major priority, compare offers very carefully and consider the cost of flights and visits home.

What is it like to live and teach in Thailand?

Thailand is known for its hospitality, food and travel opportunities. For teachers, life often centres around school, local friends, weekend trips and exploring different parts of the country – from islands and beaches to mountains and cultural sites.

In school, you are likely to find:

A mix of local and expatriate students, with families often keen on English-medium pathways to universities abroad.
Varied expectations around workload and resources – some schools are very well resourced, others require more creativity with what is available.
Staffrooms ranging from large, international teams to smaller, close-knit groups where social life and work life overlap.

Who is Thailand a good fit for?

Thailand may be a strong option if you:

Value lifestyle, culture and regional travel as much as – or more than – maximum savings.
Are comfortable with some variability in school quality and are willing to research schools in detail before signing.
Are happy to live relatively simply at times to keep costs down and make space for savings or travel.

Compare your Thailand offer

Have an offer from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or elsewhere in Thailand? Use My Offer vs. The World to see how your package compares with anonymous submissions from other teachers around the globe.

🎯 My Offer vs. The World

Explore more on Wondering Staffroom

Visit Browse salaries to see Thailand alongside other destinations.
Use Analytics to explore how Thailand compares in charts and graphs.
Share your own Thailand 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 Thailand?: Many international school teachers in Thailand report salaries broadly in the 60,000–120,000 THB per month range, depending on experience, school type and location. There are posts below and above this band, particularly in language schools or top-tier internationals.
Do schools in Thailand provide housing?: Some international schools offer housing allowances or short-term accommodation on arrival, but many teachers rent privately. The cost of rent varies significantly between central Bangkok, other cities and smaller towns.
Is Thailand good for saving money?: Thailand is often chosen first for lifestyle rather than maximum savings. With a stronger package and thoughtful budgeting, teachers can still save, but it is usually not on the same scale as high-paying Gulf posts.
Which cities in Thailand have international schools?: Bangkok has the highest concentration of international schools, but there are also schools in cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and others.
What should I look for in a Thai job offer?: Check the salary in Thai Baht, housing support, medical insurance, visa assistance, workload, contact hours and whether there is fee remission if you have dependants.

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