What Cities Pay the Most in Thailand for TEFL Teachers in 2026

Updated 8 October 2026: pay checked against our Salary Index and Thailand guide; unsourced city salaries and premiums removed.

English teachers in Thailand typically earn around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month (about €785 to €1,180) at government and private schools, within a wider national range of roughly ฿25,000 to ฿55,000. International schools pay more for qualified, experienced teachers. Bangkok has the most jobs and the higher salaries, while cities such as Chiang Mai and towns outside the capital pay less but cost much less to live in.

Thailand is one of the most popular places to start teaching, partly because the cost of living lets a modest salary go a long way. This guide gives you verified pay ranges, explains how cities differ, and sets out the visa, work permit and teaching licence you need to work legally.

Key takeaways

• Government and private schools typically pay around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month; the wider range for schools nationwide is about ฿25,000 to ฿55,000.
• International schools pay considerably more but usually want a teaching licence and experience.
• To work legally you need a Non-Immigrant B visa, a work permit and a Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence or temporary permission to teach.
• A bachelor’s degree is needed for the licence route, and a 120-hour TEFL certificate is the usual standard.
• Bangkok pays more but costs more; smaller cities often leave you with similar savings.

How much do English teachers earn in Thailand?

Most English teachers in Thailand earn around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month at government and private schools. Pay at schools nationwide runs from about ฿25,000 to ฿55,000, depending on the school, location and your qualifications.

Thai school contracts usually follow the school year, with hiring peaks before each semester. Ask whether you are paid during the breaks between terms, because some contracts do not cover them.

Which cities in Thailand pay English teachers the most?

Bangkok pays the most and has by far the most jobs, from government schools to bilingual programmes and international schools. Outside the capital, salaries are usually lower, but so are rent and daily costs.

Bangkok

The capital has the largest and most varied job market, including most of the country’s international and bilingual schools. It is the best base if you want higher pay or plan to move up, but rent takes a bigger share of your salary.

Chiang Mai

Thailand’s northern hub is popular for its relaxed pace and lower costs. Salaries are generally lower than in Bangkok and competition for jobs can be strong because many teachers want to live there.

Phuket and the coast

Tourist areas such as Phuket have private and international schools serving local and expat families. Living costs in the main tourist zones can be higher than elsewhere outside Bangkok.

Regional cities and towns

Cities such as Khon Kaen, Hat Yai or Udon Thani, and smaller towns, often have government school jobs with lower pay but low living costs, which can make saving surprisingly easy.

What do you need to teach English in Thailand legally?

To teach legally you need three things: a Non-Immigrant B visa, a work permit arranged with your employer, and either a Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence or temporary permission to teach. Working on a tourist visa is illegal.

• Degree: a bachelor’s degree is needed for the teaching licence route.
• TEFL: at least 120 hours is the usual standard; a regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma (Ofqual 610/1571/4) helps for bilingual and competitive schools.
• Documents: degree and police check, often legalised. See TEFL certificate legalisation explained.

Our guide to the Thailand Non-B visa and work permit walks through each step, and the Visa Desk links to the official guidance. If you do not have a degree, see teaching English in Thailand without a degree.

How much can you save teaching in Thailand?

Savings depend on where you live and how you live. A teacher in a smaller city with modest rent often saves a higher share of pay than one in central Bangkok on a bigger salary. The most reliable estimate is your own: take the monthly salary, subtract realistic rent, food, transport and travel for the city, and see what remains.

Some teachers add private tutoring, but check that your work permit allows it before taking paid work outside your contract.

How should you compare job offers in Thailand?

Compare the whole contract, not just the monthly figure. A slightly lower salary with paid holidays, help with the visa and a proper work permit is usually worth more than a higher figure without them.

For tips on spotting a risky offer, see our guide to getting your first TEFL job.

Ready to teach English in Thailand?

The TEFL Institute Group is Europe’s largest TEFL trainer by teachers certified, with 161,000 teachers certified since 2017 and graduates in 80 countries. We are a Highfield Approved Centre (number 21335).

Start with the 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course for most Thai schools, or choose the 180 Hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma to stand out for bilingual and competitive roles.

Jessica Jeffery, Recruitment and Partnerships Specialist

Holds a business degree plus TEFL and CELTA, and taught in Thailand and Italy; helps students find high quality jobs and internships.