The beautiful greenery, remarkable cleanliness and unrivalled architecture make Singapore an attractive proposition for those looking to live in Southeast Asia. In fact, if I were to leave Spain, Singapore would be a potential next destination. But how much could a TEFL teacher earn there? Well, I’ve done some digging.
New/Inexperienced TEFL teachers in Singapore typically earn S$2,000-4,000 ($1,500-3,000) per month. Language academies pay the lowest (S$2,000-3,400 or $1,500-2,500), but allow foreigners to get a work permit, while private classes earn some of the highest figures worldwide with hourly rates of S$50-80 ($35-60).
Compared to most locations in the region, the earnings in Singapore are high. However, before jumping on the first flight out there, it’s important to think about job availability, living costs and permit requirements for foreign workers.
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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Singapore
The main option for new and inexperienced TEFL teachers in Singapore is the wealth of language academies. Those with more experience and a few qualifications may find work in private and international schools where pay is higher, and there’s always the option of private classes if you’re looking to earn extra.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour (S$) | Hours Per Week | Per Month (S$) | Annual Estimate (S$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private/International Schools | 29-39 | 30-40 | 4,000-5,400 | 48,000-65,000 |
| Language Academies | 14-24 | 30-40 | 2,000-3,400 | 24,000-41,000 |
| Private Classes | 50-80 | 20 | 4,000-6,400 | 48,000-77,000 |
The salaries in this table dwarf what you can earn in neighbouring countries like Indonesia (if you’re interested in Indonesia, click here to read my article on earnings there), but that’s mostly because it’s a wealthy country with a higher cost of living.
Singapore isn’t cheap. Sharing accommodation and living frugally in the central areas, you’ll spend around S$2,500-3,500 ($1,800-2,600) a month, which won’t leave you with much breathing room on a language academy wage. In the outer reaches, things get cheaper. But you’re still looking at around S$1,500 ($1,100) a month at the very low end.
Unfortunately, foreign workers will struggle to set up as freelancers in Singapore. Work permits require employment by a company, so if you work for a language academy or private school, there shouldn’t be an issue, but you can’t rely on purely private classes.
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Another thing to consider is the school year in Singapore. It follows a calendar year rather than the western September start model, so if you’re applying to school-based jobs, expect to begin in early January.
And don’t forget tax. If you’re a resident in Singapore, the rates are very generous – nothing on the first S$20,000 in the year, then small increments upwards.
Language academies in Singapore
Many of the major international language academies are present in Singapore: Berlitz, Education First, and the British Council.
The latter of these, the British Council, has slightly higher requirements – you’ll need a CELTA qualification – but pays well at around S$4,000-5,400 ($3,000-4,000) per month if you can land a job with them.
But these aren’t the only options. There are plenty of other language academies, which could offer a great entry-level job for a newbie. Here’s a site with a list of over 50. Just beware, some of the lesser-known academies might not be as professional as others. You can expect to get a minimum of S$2,000 ($1,500) per month.
For anyone beginning their TEFL journey, these companies are going to be your best source of income. But they’re not the only way to make money.
Private classes in Singapore
When I researched the cost of private English tutoring in Singapore, I was shocked at how high the hourly rates are. Native English speakers charge between S$50-80 per hour, which is $35-60. In most countries, the range is between $15 and $30, so this is a massive step up.
The big downside of private classes is the difficulties with work permits mentioned above. You really need to be working for a company to get the legal documents, so going as a full-time freelancer is out of the question for most people.
However, if you can supplement your company income with a few private classes, you can earn yourself a tidy package on the side. Imagine you did three hours of private classes a week. At a low end of S$50 an hour, that’s around S$600 extra a month. Massive.
If you’re going to do this, check with your language academy – some may not like you doing private classes on the side.
Private and international schools in Singapore
Teachers with more experience and qualifications to brag about can turn their attention to private and international schools.
You’ll almost certainly need a degree or post-graduate qualification for the more respected schools. A CELTA might be enough for others.
While the requirements are high, the wages are the most stable you can get for a TEFL job in Singapore. The hourly rate might not be as high as private classes, but with upwards of S$4,000 ($3,000) a month, private/international schools offer guaranteed hours.
In conclusion
If I were starting out as a TEFL teacher, Singapore would be a tough sell. The high living cost means you can’t afford to be without work for long, and you’d have to work a busy schedule to make ends meet.
But with a few years of experience and some qualifications, money can be made. Personally, I would look for a part-time or low hours language academy job which would provide me with a work permit and a stable income – then I’d focus the rest of my time on getting some of those juicy hourly rates from private classes.
Whatever your situation, it’s important to know all the details before committing. That includes looking at potential alternatives to Singapore. Read how much you can earn as a TEFL teacher in neighbouring Indonesia, or if Europe is a potential destination for you, find out about the country I’ve had great success in – Spain.
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?
