United States
US
Teach English in Mexico
Salaries
Join a global community of over 200,000 TEFL teachers working throughout the world! Enrol me!
February 28, 2024
Table Of Content
Other benefits available
Where teachers earn the most
Mexico cost of living
Saving as a TEFL teacher
How to start teaching
In Mexico, TEFL teachers can find jobs in public schools, international schools, language schools, universities, in-company and privately.
In schools the average salary ranges from $7,000 – $18,000 MXN ( $400 – $1,000 USD).
Language centres generally pay $35 – $100 ($2 – $6) an hour.
Private lessons can earn you up to $200 ($12) an hour.
In addition to salary, what other benefits can be available?
International schools and universities are more likely to offer benefits than other positions.
These benefits include:
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Flight allowance
- Healthcare
Where in Mexico do teachers earn the most?
The most popular cities to teach in Mexico are Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun.
Salaries are higher in international schools and universities, but these positions are usually offered to degreed or experienced teachers. Mexico City is the most well-known for having a high number of positions at these types of institutions.
Business English teachers are in high demand in Mexico. Teachers with Business English experience or a specialised qualification in teaching Business English can ask for higher rates of pay.
Schools in bigger cities offer slightly higher salaries in comparison to more rural areas, but this is dependent on the area.
How much is the cost of living in Mexico?
Living in Mexico is fantastically cheap. Living in Mexico is cheaper than living in 80% of countries worldwide.
A single person can expect to pay around $11,000 MXN ($650 USD) per month, excluding rent.
Our top tips for saving in Mexico:
- Rent in a local neighbourhood rather than a touristy or expat area.
- Eat at local markets or street stalls. Restaurants and even fast food have higher price tags.
- Use public transport. Most cities in Mexico offer a range of public transport options, like bus, tram, metro and bike. E-hailing apps are cheaper than taxis. Renting a car is the most expensive option.
- Learn the language. Speaking Spanish is not essential for living in Mexico but it can save you money. Speaking Spanish enables you to haggle with marketplace vendors, service providers and even your landlord.
- Vacation within Mexico. There’s no need to take your hard-earned pesos out of the country to enjoy exotic destinations and adventure-filled holidays.
Is it possible to save in Mexico as a teacher?
Mexico is not the place to be a TEFL teacher if you want to save your pennies. The cost of living is low but so are the salaries. Teaching in Mexico allows you to eat well, live comfortably and travel domestically, but don’t expect to have many pesos in savings.
Many TEFL teachers offer freelance lessons in their spare time to supplement their income.
How to start teaching English in Mexico
To teach English in Mexico, you need an FM3 work visa, which requires confirmed employment from a school or employer. Mexico is a country which doesn’t require TEFL teachers to have a degree, so a TEFL certificate is a must if you want your job application to stand out.
Once you have completed your TEFL qualification, apply for teaching jobs through online jobs boards. Or, if you’re a US or Canadian citizen, make use of your tourist visa and pound the pavements, resume in hand.
Table Of Content
In Mexico, TEFL teachers can find jobs in public schools, international schools, language schools, universities, in-company and privately.
In schools the average salary ranges from $7,000 – $18,000 MXN ( $400 – $1,000 USD).
Language centres generally pay $35 – $100 ($2 – $6) an hour.
Private lessons can earn you up to $200 ($12) an hour.
In addition to salary, what other benefits can be available?
International schools and universities are more likely to offer benefits than other positions.
These benefits include:
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Flight allowance
- Healthcare
Where in Mexico do teachers earn the most?
The most popular cities to teach in Mexico are Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun.
Salaries are higher in international schools and universities, but these positions are usually offered to degreed or experienced teachers. Mexico City is the most well-known for having a high number of positions at these types of institutions.
Business English teachers are in high demand in Mexico. Teachers with Business English experience or a specialised qualification in teaching Business English can ask for higher rates of pay.
Schools in bigger cities offer slightly higher salaries in comparison to more rural areas, but this is dependent on the area.
How much is the cost of living in Mexico?
Living in Mexico is fantastically cheap. Living in Mexico is cheaper than living in 80% of countries worldwide.
A single person can expect to pay around $11,000 MXN ($650 USD) per month, excluding rent.
Our top tips for saving in Mexico:
- Rent in a local neighbourhood rather than a touristy or expat area.
- Eat at local markets or street stalls. Restaurants and even fast food have higher price tags.
- Use public transport. Most cities in Mexico offer a range of public transport options, like bus, tram, metro and bike. E-hailing apps are cheaper than taxis. Renting a car is the most expensive option.
- Learn the language. Speaking Spanish is not essential for living in Mexico but it can save you money. Speaking Spanish enables you to haggle with marketplace vendors, service providers and even your landlord.
- Vacation within Mexico. There’s no need to take your hard-earned pesos out of the country to enjoy exotic destinations and adventure-filled holidays.
Is it possible to save in Mexico as a teacher?
Mexico is not the place to be a TEFL teacher if you want to save your pennies. The cost of living is low but so are the salaries. Teaching in Mexico allows you to eat well, live comfortably and travel domestically, but don’t expect to have many pesos in savings.
Many TEFL teachers offer freelance lessons in their spare time to supplement their income.
How to start teaching English in Mexico
To teach English in Mexico, you need an FM3 work visa, which requires confirmed employment from a school or employer. Mexico is a country which doesn’t require TEFL teachers to have a degree, so a TEFL certificate is a must if you want your job application to stand out.
Once you have completed your TEFL qualification, apply for teaching jobs through online jobs boards. Or, if you’re a US or Canadian citizen, make use of your tourist visa and pound the pavements, resume in hand.
Download the World TEFL Factbook
We have created a unique TEFL World Factbook of teaching abroad guides in over 100 countries to help TEFL teachers decide where in the world to teach English. Each country profile outlines everything a TEFL teacher would need to know including average pay, living costs, working environments and even the weather!
Download TEFL Factbook
TEFL Jobs in Mexico
View All
Other Places in North America
View All
Teach English Abroad Articles
-
ResourcesEncouraging Mistakes In The TEFL Classroom: Effective Error Correction
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-09-12
-
Teacher's Toolkit
7 Tips For Teaching Business English Like A Professional
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-09-04
-
Resources
English For Exams Classes: How Not To Be Boring
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-08-30
-
Teaching English Abroad Jobs
Teaching English For Exams vs General English
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-08-29
-
Resources
Teaching Different Levels In The Same Class
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-08-21
-
Resources
10 Easy Speaking Activities For Online Lessons
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-08-12
Kirsten Colquhoun
2024-09-12
