Teacher Salaries in Latin America

Teaching in Latin America is an unrivalled opportunity to immense yourself in one of the most magnificent and diverse continents on the planet. Just like taking up any job, whether locally or in a foreign country, the most distinct aspect that tends to be the most decisive factor is the salary you can expect, and this article aims to shed some light on the cost of living, and the typical wages of an English teacher in Latin America. Reality is that it will take a lot of patience and research to land your fist job in Latin America as the competition is fierce, but on a brighter note, the global recession has paved the way for an abundance of teaching positions in Latin America so the options are literally endless.Teacher’s salaries vary depending on country, qualifications and experience, and although teacher’s wages in Latin America are at the lower end of the scale, it is regarded as the safest and easiest continent to jumpstart or simply boost your teaching experience. Wages of expatriate teachers in Latin America are just enough to cover basic expenses, dine out, travelling expenses, and a few extra bucks to pursue other interests.
If you’re looking to save a whole lot, chances are slim, but not impossible especially since private English tuition is in high demand and pays generously. Teaching jobs are available in nearly every tip of Latin America, but the countries that appeal to teachers the most are Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Columbia and Peru.Being the largest country is South America, Brazil is drastically short of English language teachers, making the country one of the highest payers in the continent. Average monthly salary ranges between $1200 – $1500, with the cost of living per month between $800 and $1000. Not far behind, Mexico is a hub for expatriate English teachers and for good reasons. Teaching positions in Mexico are generally open all year round, with the average monthly pay ranging from $700 – $1400. What makes Mexico an excellent location to teach is the low cost of living, which is in the ballpark of $500 – $800 per month.Argentina is just a few notches behind Mexico and just the name and the history associated with it makes it a supreme destination for English teachers. With jobs positions literally available throughout the country, teachers can expect to bring in between $600 and $900 per month, with the cost of living relatively low between $500 and $800 per month.Chile provides a stable environment for teachers in Latin America, but unfortunately is one of the lowest payers of the bunch. With salaries ranging between $400 and $800, and the cost of living in the range of $400 – $1000, it is recommended that teachers pursuing teaching in this country look for other options such as private tuition to supplement their income.
Costa Rica is flourished with breathtaking landscapes and graced with an idyllic tropical climate, making it a preferred destination for English teachers. Salaries for teachers fluctuate anywhere from $500 – $800, with the average cost of living in the range of $300 – $600.Being the second most populated country in South America, Columbia is a much desired option for English expatriate teachers since the wages range from $600 – $1400, and the average cost of living anywhere between $500 and $800 per month. Teacher salaries in Peru range between $600 and $1000 per month, and the cost of living is $300 – $700 per month. With thousands of people in Latin America yearning to learn English whether to boost their personality or simply broaden their career perspectives, there’s no better time than now to get your feet wet in this promising industry.