The relaxed lifestyle, delicious cuisine and spectacular scenery make Indonesia an attractive proposition for TEFL teachers. However, before booking a ticket to paradise, you should know how much you can earn there.
New/inexperienced TEFL teachers in Indonesia can earn up to 24 million Indonesian Rupiah ($1,700) per month, though many report their monthly salaries as low as 7 million Rupiah ($500). Experienced teachers at international schools make between 30M-60M Rupiah ($2,000-4,000). Private classes earn 200K-300K ($14-21) per hour.
Indonesia may not be the most lucrative market for English teaching, but it offers an irresistible quality of life. Read on to find out the cost of living, ways of earning money, and how much to expect.
Searching for the perfect TEFL destination with the best earnings? Compare countries around the world with my free resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared.
Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Indonesia
With no government-sponsored program in the country, and private/international schools requiring significant qualifications and experience, a new or inexperienced TEFL teacher has two main options – language academies and private tuition.
Someone with a few years of experience may be able to land a job in a private school where the pay is significantly higher. Realistically, public schools aren’t an option for anyone. Lack of funding and opportunities rule them out in most cases, although there are some who have done it.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour (IDR) | Hours Per Week | Per Month (IDR) | Annual Estimate (IDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Schools | 190-380K | 40 | 30-60M | 360-720M |
| Language Academies | 44-144K | 40 | 7-23M | 84-276M |
| Private Classes | 200-300K | 20 | 16-24M | 192-288M |
The cost of living varies throughout the country, but in general it’s low. Living frugally, it could be as little as 7 million Rupiah ($500) a month, but a more comfortable lifestyle would rise to around 12 million Rupiah ($850).
Cities like Jakarta and tourist destinations like Bali are, unsurprisingly, more expensive than other areas. In Bali, it might also be difficult to find work. With so many people wanting to live there, the job market is always going to be saturated.
Another thing to consider about Indonesia is the school year – it starts in July and ends in June with a winter break for Eid. So make sure you don’t leave it too late to apply for school teaching positions.
A major barrier to TEFL teachers in Indonesia is the work permit and visa situation. A company who employs you should be able to assist with the documentation and get your KITAS (residence/work permit), but if you’re planning to go freelance, you’re out of luck.
If you’re looking for great value TEFL certificates, I recommend International TEFL and TESOL Training. Click the link for 15% off all courses (I receive compensation, so you’re supporting me, too). Not convinced? Read why I’d choose ITTT over other TEFL course providers.
It’s illegal for a foreigner to be self-employed in the country. Unless you get married to a local (even then it’s a bit of a grey area), you can’t work legally without being employed by a registered company.
However, there is plenty of demand for English teachers in language academies.
Language academies in Indonesia
For most readers, this is your best option. It’s the best way to get the right permits to work, and the requirements for employment are not too high (usually a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree).
But before signing up to the first language academy you find, be aware of what you could be earning.
English First is a major franchise with branches in Indonesia and China, providing classes with groups of up to 16, both for adults and for children/teens.
They seem great until you learn how much they pay their teachers – approximately 7 million Rupiah per month ($500) which equates to 44K Rupiah ($4) per hour (assuming a 40-hour week) – barely enough to live on. Wall Street English is another company offering similar salaries.
While they may be a decent way of getting you in the country to begin with, they seem rather exploitative, feeding off the dream of living in Indonesia and paying their teachers the bare minimum. Other, smaller, academies pay significantly more (as high as 23M Rupiah or $1,700 per month), but you will have to do some deeper research, or seek them out upon arrival.
Private Classes in Indonesia
As mentioned earlier, it’s legally impossible to work as a foreign freelancer in Indonesia. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t give some private classes while working for a language academy (as long as they’re okay with it!).
With hourly rates of 200-300K ($14-21), these classes could earn you 5 times as much per hour of work than in a company like English First.
Even just three private classes a week would draw in an extra 2.5-3.5 million Rupiah ($175-250) a month.
That’s a huge amount, and could make your life a lot more comfortable.
If you’re new to private English classes, you may wonder how long a class should be – check out this article I wrote giving you an overview of lesson durations in different situations. And for a full guide, read How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor.
Private/International Schools in Indonesia
By far the most lucrative sources of income for TEFL teachers in Indonesia, private and international schools are an option for those who already have a few years of experience under their belt. It may also help to have a CELTA certification, or even a degree-level qualification to get the best spots.
The highest salaries are in the 60M Rupiah ($4,000) per month range. This is more than enough to live very comfortably and save for the future.
And even if you can’t demand that kind of money, the lower reaches (30M Rupiah/$2,000 per month) will still let you enjoy everything the country has to offer.
In conclusion
With freelancing a near impossibility, language academies are the way to go for newbie TEFL teachers. The salary might not be great at first, but if you stick it out, there are opportunities to move on to much greater things.
However, if you’re looking for an extended holiday at the beach, perhaps you’ll be disappointed with the initial pay.
But don’t worry! There are plenty of other countries around the world calling out for English teachers! If neighbouring Singapore appeals to you, here’s my article on earnings there.
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?
