Teach English in Hong Kong

TEFL jobs in Hong Kong

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL jobs in Hong Kong

You can teach English in Hong Kong at government schools through the NET Scheme, at private language centres and tutoring centres, at international and kindergarten schools, and with private students. Pay is among the highest in Asia: the government NET Scheme pays HK$34,060 to HK$79,135 a month, plus a monthly Special Allowance of HK$20,989 for teachers recruited from overseas, but Hong Kong is also one of the world’s most expensive cities. Foreign teachers need an employer-sponsored employment visa, and anyone teaching in a school must be a registered or permitted teacher. Hong Kong’s statutory minimum wage is HK$43.1 an hour from 1 May 2026.

Teaching English in Hong Kong at a glance

Main employers	Government schools (NET Scheme), private language and tutoring centres, international schools, kindergartens, private students
NET Scheme pay	HK$34,060 to HK$65,875 a month (primary) or HK$79,135 (secondary), plus HK$20,989 Special Allowance for overseas hires
Minimum wage	HK$43.1 an hour from 1 May 2026, now reviewed every year
Hiring	NET Scheme and schools recruit for a late August or September start; centres hire year round
Minimum TEFL hours	120 hours for centres; the NET Scheme sets its own qualification rules
Degree	Required for the employment visa and for school posts
Visa	Employer-sponsored employment visa from the Immigration Department
Language	Cantonese and English are both widely used; Mandarin is growing

Why teach English in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong combines a skyline of towers with mountains, beaches and country parks, excellent public transport, low crime and easy travel across Asia. Parents invest heavily in English, so demand for teachers is strong, and pay is among the best in the region. The trade-off is cost: rents are among the highest in the world, and flats are small, so it pays to understand what a package includes before you accept.

What kinds of English teaching jobs are there in Hong Kong?

The NET Scheme. The government’s Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme places qualified teachers in public primary and secondary schools and special schools. It offers the most secure contracts, a salary based on qualifications and experience, and, for teachers recruited from overseas, a monthly Special Allowance and passage, baggage and medical allowances. It is competitive and requires teacher qualifications as well as English expertise.

Private language and tutoring centres. Hong Kong has a huge tutoring industry, especially for exam preparation, phonics and young learners. Centres hire year round, usually want a degree and a TEFL certificate, and often schedule teaching in the afternoons, evenings and at weekends.

International schools and kindergartens. International schools follow British, American, IB and other curricula and want licensed teachers. English-medium kindergartens are a common entry point for teachers who love working with young children.

Private tutoring. Popular and well paid, but only legal within the terms of your visa, so check with your employer and the Immigration Department.

How much do English teachers earn in Hong Kong?

Pay is among the highest in Asia. Under the NET Scheme, salaries range from HK$34,060 to HK$65,875 a month in primary schools and up to HK$79,135 in secondary schools on the 2025–26 pay scale, depending on qualifications and experience, with a further 2% rise backdated to 1 April 2026 under the 2026–27 civil service pay adjustment, and eligible teachers recruited from overseas also receive a Special Allowance of HK$20,989 a month to help with living costs. Language centres and kindergartens generally pay less, and international schools pay on their own scales. Hong Kong’s statutory minimum wage rose to HK$43.1 an hour on 1 May 2026 and is now reviewed every year. Salaries tax is low compared with many countries. Compare pay across countries on the TEFL Salary Index.

What qualifications do you need to teach English in Hong Kong?

Language centres usually want a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, with young learner and exam experience valued highly. The NET Scheme and international schools want a recognised teacher qualification, and NET applicants must meet the Education Bureau’s specific qualification and language requirements. Anyone teaching in a school must also be registered with the Education Bureau as a registered or permitted teacher. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma strengthens applications to centres and kindergartens, and it can be verified on the Ofqual register.

Which visa do you need to teach English in Hong Kong?

Many nationalities, including UK, Irish and US citizens, can visit Hong Kong visa-free, but that does not allow work. Your employer sponsors an employment visa through the Hong Kong Immigration Department, which usually requires a degree and a confirmed job offer, and you must not start work until the visa is approved. School posts also need Education Bureau teacher registration or a permit to teach. Check current rules with your employer, the Immigration Department and our Visa Desk.

Where are the English teaching jobs in Hong Kong?

Jobs are spread across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay have many tutoring centres, Kowloon is dense with schools and centres, and the New Territories and outlying islands such as Lantau and Lamma offer cheaper rents and a quieter life, with a longer commute.

What is it like teaching and living in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is fast-paced, safe and efficient, with world-class food and transport. Students are hard-working and exam-focused, and parents often have high expectations. Summers are hot, humid and stormy, with typhoon signals that can close schools, while winters are mild. Learning some Cantonese is appreciated, although English is widely used. Be aware that Hong Kong’s national security laws apply to everyone in the territory, including foreign residents.

Teaching in Hong Kong: read next

Comparing East Asia? See our guides to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
Teaching exam classes? Read everything you need to know for teaching IELTS.
Compare pay in our TEFL Salary Index and check entry rules on the Visa Desk.

Get TEFL qualified for Hong Kong

Last updated: 5 October 2026. Figures checked October 2026: NET Scheme pay of HK$34,060 to HK$65,875 a month (primary) and up to HK$79,135 (secondary) on the 2025–26 scale published by the Education Bureau; the Chief Executive in Council approved a 2% civil service pay rise for 2026–27 on 16 June 2026, backdated to 1 April 2026 and subject to Legislative Council Finance Committee approval. Pay figures are approximate, not quotes. Visa and teacher registration rules change, so confirm current requirements with your employer, the Immigration Department and the Education Bureau before you travel.

Living costs

Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world to rent in, and flats are small. Central, Mid-Levels and Wan Chai cost the most, while Kowloon, the New Territories and outlying islands such as Lantau and Lamma are cheaper, with a longer commute. Many new teachers share a flat to keep costs down.

Moving in is expensive: landlords usually ask for two months’ deposit plus a month’s rent in advance, and the agent’s fee is typically half a month’s rent. Daily costs are more manageable, with cheap, efficient public transport paid by Octopus card and good-value local food. Salaries tax is low, and NET Scheme teachers recruited from overseas receive a monthly Special Allowance that helps with rent.

All figures below are in Hong Kong dollars (HK$) and are typical 2026 rental and price data, checked on 4 October 2026. Prices change, so check a current source before you budget.

One-bedroom flat, city centre: About HK$17,100 a month
One-bedroom flat, outside the centre: About HK$13,100 a month
One-bedroom flat, Mid-Levels: HK$25,000 to HK$45,000 a month
Upfront costs when you rent: Two months' deposit, one month in advance, half a month's agent fee
MTR trip with Octopus card: About HK$5 to HK$15
Regular commuter transport spend: HK$500 to HK$2,100 a month
NET Scheme Special Allowance (overseas hires): HK$20,989 a month
Comfortable single budget, including rent: HK$20,000 to HK$26,000 a month

TEFL jobs in Hong Kong: KEY POINTS

AVERAGE SALARY

NET Scheme HK$34,060 to HK$79,135 a month, plus allowance for overseas hires

EDUCATION NEEDED

Prerequisite University Degree

MAIN JOB TYPES

NET Scheme schools, tutoring centres, international schools, kindergartens

TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120 Hour TEFL Certificate

KEY FACTS

Where the jobs are: Jobs across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories; outlying islands such as Lantau offer cheaper rents.
English teacher pay in Hong Kong: NET Scheme teachers earn HK$34,060 to HK$65,875 a month in primary schools and up to HK$79,135 in secondary schools, plus a Special Allowance of HK$20,989 a month for overseas hires. Tutoring centres and kindergartens pay less. The statutory minimum wage is HK$43.1 an hour from 1 May 2026.
TEFL qualification requirements: A 120-hour TEFL qualification is needed for most jobs
Education requirement: You need a degree to work in Hong Kong. Some international venues and university roles require degrees in a specific field, or higher qualifications such as an MA, PGCE or PhD
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Language: Cantonese and English; Mandarin is growing
Previous teaching experience: Previous teaching experience is advisable - especially if you have been teaching for a year or more.

When to go

Climate and hiring in Hong Kong

Schools and the NET Scheme recruit in the first half of the year for a late August or September start, so arrive in August, in the hot, wet typhoon season. Tutoring centres hire year round.

Month	High	Low	Hiring
January	19°C	15°C
February	19°C	15°C
March	22°C	18°C	Some
April	26°C	21°C	Some
May	29°C	25°C
June	31°C	27°C
July	32°C	27°C
August	31°C	27°C	Main
September	31°C	26°C
October	28°C	24°C
November	25°C	20°C
December	20°C	16°C

Hong Kong is warm all year: summers are hot and very humid, with highs around 89°F, while winters are mild, with nights around 59°F. It is very wet, with about 2,431 mm of rain a year, mostly from May to September, which is also typhoon season, when warning signals can close schools. October to December is the driest, sunniest and most comfortable time of year.

Average daily highs and lows, 1991 to 2020 normals, Hong Kong Observatory. Hiring months are typical patterns, not guarantees.

Facts about Hong Kong

LANGUAGE

Cantonese and English; Mandarin growing

POPULATION

7.5 million

TEFL TEACHERS DEMAND

High

CURRENCY

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

STATUS

Special Administrative Region of China

OUR HONG KONG TEFL RATING

3.8/5

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TEFL jobs in Hong Kong: FAQS

Can I teach English in Hong Kong without a degree?

No, not for paid work. A bachelor’s degree is required for the employment visa and for school posts, and universities usually want a master’s degree. Language centres also expect a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours. If you don’t have a degree, see our guide to teaching English without a degree for countries with more flexible rules.

How much do English teachers make teaching in Hong Kong?

Under the government NET Scheme, teachers earn HK$34,060 to HK$65,875 a month in primary schools and up to HK$79,135 in secondary schools, depending on qualifications and experience. Teachers recruited from overseas also receive a Special Allowance of HK$20,989 a month. Tutoring centres and kindergartens pay less, and international schools pay on their own scales. The statutory minimum wage is HK$43.1 an hour from 1 May 2026.

Is Hong Kong expensive to live in?

Yes, mainly because of rent. A one-bedroom flat costs about HK$17,100 a month in the centre and HK$13,100 outside it, and moving in usually means two months’ deposit, a month in advance and half a month’s agent fee. Transport and local food are good value, and salaries tax is low. Many new teachers share a flat or live in Kowloon, the New Territories or the outlying islands.

Where can I teach English in Hong Kong?

Jobs are spread across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Tutoring centres cluster in busy districts such as Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, NET Scheme schools are found across all districts, and international schools are spread around the territory. Living in the New Territories or on an outlying island means cheaper rent but a longer commute.

What is the NET Scheme in Hong Kong?

The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme is a Hong Kong government programme run by the Education Bureau that places qualified English teachers in public primary, secondary and special schools. It requires a degree and a recognised teacher qualification, meets specific language requirements, and offers secure contracts, a salary based on qualifications and experience, and, for overseas recruits, a monthly Special Allowance and passage, baggage and medical allowances. Teachers must be registered or permitted teachers with the Education Bureau.

What is the best TEFL certificate for teaching in Hong Kong?

For tutoring centres and kindergartens, an accredited TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, such as our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course, is the standard, ideally with young learner and phonics training. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma strengthens your application for the better paid centres. The NET Scheme and international schools also require a recognised teacher qualification. Compare nearby markets in our guide to teaching English in Taiwan.