How Much Money do TEFL Teachers Make in Ecuador?

When I think of popular TEFL destinations, Ecuador rarely springs to mind. But like other countries in Latin America, there’s a demand for English teachers, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the amazing scenery and history. But how much can you earn there?

In general, TEFL teachers in Ecuador earn $400-700 per month, mostly in language academies. International school salaries start at $700 a month and can exceed $1,000 or more for those with lots of experience. TEFL teachers typically charge $10-15 per hour for private classes.

You may wince at these low wages. And it’s true, they’re extremely low, but don’t rule out Ecuador yet. Depending on the job you get and the place you live in, these salaries are plenty enough to live off while enjoying your time in the country.

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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Ecuador

English is a highly valued skill in Ecuador. With strong links to the USA, many see the language as a route to better jobs and an improvement in living standards.

Most work for TEFL teachers in Ecuador will come from language academies. Experienced teachers may get the better paid jobs in international schools and there’s always the option for private classes. If you have the correct documents to work legally, you can earn a good wage as a freelancer

Earnings Source	Per Hour ($)	Hours Per Week	Per Month ($)	Annual Estimate ($)
International Schools	5-7	30-40	700-980	8,400-11,760
Language Academies	4-7	20-30	400-700	4,800-8,400
Private Classes	10-15	20	800-1,200	9,600-14,400

When you compare these salaries to the kind of money you can earn in Europe or East Asia, you may be tempted to dismiss the country entirely. I wouldn’t blame you.

For example, even in Indonesia, one of the lowest paying countries in Asia, salaries can be double what you earn here. On the other hand, the pay in Ecuador is not dissimilar to neighbouring Colombia.

What makes Ecuador a worthwhile country to teach in is the extremely low cost of living. In some places, rent can be as low as $100 a month, and your overall expenses in the region of $400-600.

That means it’s completely realistic to live a relatively comfortable life working 20-30 hours a week.

With the salary you’d be earning, tax wouldn’t be an issue, so you’d keep all your money.

What could prove a stumbling block is getting the correct visa to work legally if you’re planning to stay for longer than 6 months. It’s certainly possible, but may take time and incur some expenses. Definitely something to research and organise early.

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School-based jobs will begin in September, as the system follows the standard September-July academic year. Be prepared to rise at dawn, as classes may begin as early as 7 am. If you’re in a language academy, most of your classes will be in the afternoon.

How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Ecuador?

Most TEFL teachers will get employment in language academies. The big cities – Quito and Guayaquil – have plenty of these, and smaller places will have some too.

Some international brands are present, notably International House, Berlitz, and Wall Street English, as well as several local companies. Click here for ESL Base’s list of language academies in the country.

Expect to earn $400-700 a month for approximately 25 hours a week. This gives you a wage of $4-7 per hour.

The benefits of this type of job are:

You don’t need a bachelor’s degree (although it helps)
They’re short-term contracts
You’ll teach mostly smaller classes with motivated (hopefully) students

With a bit of experience and strong qualifications, you could demand a slightly higher fee, but there aren’t many academies who can afford expensive teachers.

How much do TEFL teachers make from international schools in Ecuador?

As with most countries, it’s hard to pin down reliable figures for international school teachers.

Wages can be as low as $5 an hour working out to $700 a month for a 35-hour work week. But in schools with a great reputation, experienced teachers can earn well over $1,000, although these positions are extremely competitive.

Work in this type of school tends to be organised in situ rather than online.

How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Ecuador?

Charging $10-15 an hour for private classes is a reasonable way to earn some good cash in Ecuador. If you can work legally as a freelancer and find 20 classes a week, this can net you $800-1,200 a month.

However, for many, this won’t be possible. First, if you have no experience, you might have to charge lower rates to attract enough students. Second, you might not have the appropriate work permits.

Another reason private classes can be tricky is the instability. Students may cancel or disappear without paying, and it may take you a while to gain enough classes to get consistent income.

For more on how to get started as a private EFL/ESL teacher, read my article on the topic: How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor: Full guide.

Often, it’s safer to have a fixed contract job where you’re guaranteed a steady pay. And as long as your employer is okay with it, you can do private classes on the side to earn some extra cash.

Imagine you took 3 hour-long private classes a week for $10 each. You would earn an extra $120 a month. That kind of money goes a long way in Ecuador, and could let you live a much more comfortable lifestyle.