Spain’s charm and climate attracts many TEFL teachers, but those hoping to enjoy the Iberian sunshine should know how much money they can make.
New and inexperienced TEFL teachers in Spain can expect to earn €700-1500 ($850-1700) per month, while those with greater experience can make significantly more from private classes and work in International Schools. Private classes typically start at €15-20 ($17-24) per hour for teachers starting out.
Multiple income sources are available to native English speakers, each with their own requirements and pay structures, so it’s important to understand which is correct for you.
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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Spain
There are four main options for TEFL teachers hoping to get their income from work in Spain.
The Auxiliares de conversación program is a well-known and accessible government scheme for language assistants in state-run schools, while a number of private schools hire English teachers with the correct qualifications.
Outside of these, most major towns and cities have a wealth of language academies who hire TEFL teachers for classes with individuals or groups, and there’s plenty of demand for private classes across the country.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour (€) | Hours Per Week | Per Month (€) | Annual Estimate (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliares de Conversacion | 15-16* | 12-16 | 700-1000* | 6,300-9,000* |
| Private Schools | 9-13 | 35-40 | 1,500-2,000 | 18,000-24,000 |
| Language Academies | 10-20 | 20-25 | 500-1,500 | 6,000-18,000 |
| Private Classes | 15-20 | 15-25 | 1,000-2,000 | 10,000-20,000 |
Residence laws and work permits can prove problematic for non-EU citizens hoping to set up as freelancers. Established schools usually help with applying for work permits and visas, but this isn’t a guarantee, so make sure your employers will support you before committing to any contract.
Another thing you should consider is the cost of living where you intend to work. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you can expect to earn more per class, but it may not make up for the extra expense of rent and travel. Realistically, living with relative comfort in either major city will cost you around €1,000. Outside the cities, this is more like €700-800.
Don’t forget about tax, either. While the Auxiliares de conversación program pays in tax-free stipends, all other earnings over a certain threshold are subject to taxation (approximately 20% depending on the region). It’s tempting to avoid the complex bureaucracy and work under the radar, but the Hacienda (tax ministry) is uncompromising and will crack down on you if they find out.
One last thing to take into account is the seasonality of English classes. The summer holidays are long in Spain (around 10 weeks) during which time many families head to the beach and work for language academies and private classes will dry up quicker than the weather.
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However, there are opportunities for work in summer schools and camps. Just bear in mind you might not earn the estimated monthly income all year round.
The table below shows how much you can expect to earn per hour, per month, and an estimate of your yearly salary. These are general guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.
Auxiliares de conversación program
Thousands of language assistants fill the state schools of Spain from October to June, providing native English support and exposure to anglophone culture. The program is accessible to anyone with native English and a bachelor’s degree.
While the school year starts in September, auxiliares work nine months from October to June, earning €700/$800 for 12 hours a week, or sometimes, notably Madrid, €1,000/$1,100 for 16 hours. These hours are usually spread over 4 days – that means a 3-day weekend!
This is pretty good pay for a job in which you aren’t expected to lead the class (€15-16/$17-18 per hour). And despite being a low monthly wage, it’s enough to survive, and leaves you plenty of time to supplement your income with private classes in the afternoon.
Not only that, but the pay is a government stipend – that means you don’t pay a single cent of tax. Extra private classes are unlikely to exceed the minimum required for paying tax, so there’s no need to make yourself known to the tax authorities.
Other benefits include the community of other auxiliares in your area, the chance to travel over the long weekends, and a source of future private students.
You can’t do the program forever; 3 years is the maximum. And if you wish to avoid children, or aim to work all 12 months of the year, you might want to look at one of the other options.
Private schools
Some private schools and concertados (semi-private) hire native speakers. They offer full-time teacher salaries, and with that, you’re expected to work a full-time schedule (35-40 hours).
Depending on the school you work for, pay can vary. Cheaper, less established schools pay €1,500-2,000/$1,700-2,200 per month for a 35-40 hour schedule, giving you an hourly wage of €9-13/$10-15. Meanwhile, in the big-name international schools, salaries will reach higher – as much as €3,000/$3,400 or more per month (€21/$24 per hour).
Requirements are high for these schools. Although you may find some schools accepting natives without a teaching degree, most demand a university level qualification in teaching (Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent). This excludes them as an option for most TEFL teachers.
What’s more, all but the top schools have earned a reputation as being difficult places to work. The 35-40 hours mentioned above may be the official number, but plenty of teachers I know who have experience in these schools warn of much longer hours and limited support.
Language academies
Language academies, language schools, private academies… whatever you want to call them, these are companies who contract teachers to give classes to individuals and groups, businesses, or run after-school sessions in the area. In the cities, you can find them everywhere – outside, not so much.
There’s a huge variety of these kinds of institutions, but in general, the good ones pay a decent wage for an acceptable workload. The best thing about them is you don’t have to search for classes on your own. They may also help apply for work permits and visas, etc.
Some pay by the hour, while others will pay a fixed monthly amount. Earnings range from €500/$550 a month to €1,500/$1,700 with a weekly workload of approximately 15-25 hours. This gives a rough hourly rate of €10-20/$11-24, although experienced teachers can make more (especially with business classes).
Choosing the right academy is vital. Unfortunately, there are plenty of academies which underpay their teachers, and others who might disappear overnight. Before signing up to anything, do a bit of research on the academy to ensure it’s a reputable company.
Private classes
Private classes can be a lucrative source of income and offer great flexibility. Spanish people understand the value of learning from a native speaker, and in most places there’s a strong demand for all types of classes – business, exam preparation, conversation, games and activities etc. with students of all ages.
€15-20/$17-23 per hour is what most new TEFL teachers will charge, although in the cities, you could stretch a little higher. Experienced teachers can set their own rates, with people willing to spend for quality.
Read my guide How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor for more details on setting up your classes.
Given that most private classes will take place in the afternoon (after school and work), 25 hours a week is near the upper limit of how many classes you can fit in, meaning in theory you should earn €1,000-2,000/$1,100-2,200 per month.
However, these projections don’t account for cancelled classes and holidays. Adults especially can be flaky and cancel last minute, or just abandon the classes for good – make sure it’s clear you will still charge them if they don’t turn up.
Most students won’t want classes over the summer, winter and spring holidays, as well as bank holidays during term time.
Another roadblock is bureaucracy – you’ll have to register as an autónomo and pay tax (roughly 20% on earnings) as well as social security (a rising scale up to around €300 a month) and that’s if you can even get permission to work in the country.
For non-EU citizens, getting a visa and/or work permit with a fixed salary job is hard enough, let alone if you’re planning on going self-employed. It’s possible, but requires plenty of hoops to jump through.
Despite all this, private classes are a great option as an extra source of income, especially for those on the Auxiliares de conversación program, or working in a language academy. Just a few classes a week can make the difference between barely breaking even and having a little extra cash to play with.
In conclusion
Teaching TEFL in Spain can seem like a daunting prospect, but I assure you it’s worth trying. I would know – I’ve done it for over 5 years. The Auxiliares de conversación program is a fantastic way to get into the country without having to worry about visas and tax.
Then, if possible, you can transition to something else. Get yourself another qualification, join a language academy, or, if you can, set up as an autónomo and make your own schedule!
But if Spain doesn’t seem right for you, there are plenty of other places waiting for a fantastic new teacher.
If you want to stay in the Mediterranean, check out earnings in Italy.
Why not head over to my article: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make: Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
