Ever wondered what it’s like to teach English in Qatar? You may have heard you can make a lot of money, but what’s the truth about how much you should expect to earn there?
Typically, TEFL teachers in Qatar earn QAR 5,800-11,000 ($1,600-3,000) per month. International schools pay from QAR 7,300 ($2,000) to upwards of QAR 16,300 ($4,500) for experienced teachers. Language academies pay QAR 5,800-9,100 ($1,600-2,500). Private classes make QAR 100-200 ($27-55) per hour.
These salaries make Qatar one of the highest-paying countries in the world for TEFL teachers, and many jobs include extra perks, too. But it isn’t easy getting started. Unlike some places, you can’t just walk into a job – there are plenty of things you have to understand before jumping on the plane.
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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Qatar
With a large population of foreign workers in the country, international schools are common, especially in the capital, Doha. There’s also a growing industry of language academies. These two jobs are the main sources of TEFL income in the country.
Also, teachers can give private classes. Mostly, these will be in addition to a normal job, but some teachers may be able to go full time as a freelancer.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour ($) | Hours Per Week | Per Month ($) | Annual Estimate ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | 14-32 | 35 | 2,000-4,500 | 24K-54K |
| Language Academies | 16-25 | 25 | 1,600-2,500 | 19K-30K |
| Private Classes | 27-55 | 20 | 2,200-4,400 | 26K-53K |
All three job types provide a good enough wage to cover living costs, although freelance private tutors will pay more expenses.
The reason is, most employers provide accommodation or a housing allowance on top of the salary shown in the table above. With rent at roughly QAR 6,000 ($1,650) per month in Doha, this is a big deal.
Not including rent, living costs range between QAR 2,900 and 3,600 ($800-1,000). This is considerably lower than most salaries, so there is potential to save tens of thousands of dollars each year.
Private tutors won’t have this perk, so will have much higher expenses. That is, unless you get a job with a wealthy family who are willing to sponsor your visa and provide accommodation.
Talking of visas, they’re slow. The general consensus is that you should apply for jobs 6 months before you intend to arrive, since it takes so long to get a visa organised. Employers or families can sponsor you, as long as you meet the requirements.
One more perk of salaries in Qatar – they’re tax free. Tax is low in Qatar anyway, but as a teacher, you won’t have to pay a single Qatari Rial!
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How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Qatar?
If you’re starting out in TEFL, or only have a year or two of experience, language academies are your best bet. The monthly pay is about QAR 5,800-9,100 ($1,600-2,500). As you’d expect, this is lower than international schools, but per hour it’s not that far behind.
Working hours are flexible and not too intense. Most people work around 20-25 hours a week without having to spend lots of time on preparation.
Many of the biggest global academies are present in Doha – Berlitz, British Council and International House, to name a few. There are also plenty of smaller, local companies.
How much do TEFL teachers make from international schools in Qatar?
With a teaching license and a few years of experience, you could land yourself a job in an international school in Qatar.
Pay at these schools is around QAR 7,300 ($2,000) to QAR 16,300 ($4,500), but if you rise the ranks to a leadership position, you can earn much more. Again, with rent paid for you, and no tax, these salaries are fantastic.
The timetable differs from most countries because of the heat. School starts early in the morning – around 7 am, and finishes just after midday – to avoid the scorching afternoon temperatures.
How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Qatar?
Typical hourly rates for private English classes in Doha are QAR 100-200 ($27-55). 20 hours a week at this rate gives you a salary similar to that of a teacher in an international school working nearly double the hours.
However, there are many reasons it’s very difficult to rely on private classes as your only source of income.
First, you’ll have to pay your own rent, so living costs are more than double. Second, you can’t get a visa without sponsorship from an employer, and the authorities are harsh on people working illegally in the country.
One workaround is to get a family to sponsor you. A wealthy family may hire you as a regular tutor, perhaps even full time, and in this case, they can help sort out the visa issue.
But you don’t have to go full time with private classes. You can supplement your income from a language academy with lessons on the side.
If you took 3 private classes a week at QAR 100 ($27) per hour, that would net you an extra QAR 1,200 ($324) per month. Before you do this, check it’s okay with your employer.
Conclusion
If Qatar is on your list of destinations to live and work, it’s definitely a viable option. As long as you meet the requirements and are happy dealing with a different culture, earnings are great, and you can save for the future.
If you’re interested in the Middle East, but Qatar doesn’t appeal to you, check out how much you can earn in Bahrain.
Why not head over to my resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
