 How much can I earn teaching English in Spain? Spain has been one of the top destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad for many years. In all the major cities, you will find plenty of opportunities to work with young learners in government-run public schools, as well as private language schools that cater to everyone from university students to high-flying business executives. Although the average salary of 700 to 1800 euros per month is not high compared with some other popular destinations, the warm climate and laid-back lifestyle are enough to attract tens of thousands of teachers every year. As it is one of the most visited countries in the world, Spain has a huge tourism industry that has a continually high demand for English language teachers. There are hundreds of privately run language schools located across the country that hire year-round, as well as government-sponsored programs that place teachers into the public school system. The majority of positions can be found in larger cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, although opportunities can be found in virtually every city, town and beach resort in the country. The amount you can earn will vary considerably depending on your previous classroom experience, level of qualifications, the location you choose and the type of employer. Salaries start at around 700 euros per month, rising to 1800 for higher end positions. Teachers who are paid by the hour can expect a rate of around 18 to 20 euros. The majority of teaching jobs in Spain do not include extra benefits that are common in many other popular destinations, such as paid airfare and accommodation. While the pay and benefits are less than you will find elsewhere, most teachers should be able to live a comfortable lifestyle during their stay in sunny Spain. Employers Every year around 2000 positions are available for Americans and Canadians to work as assistant language teachers within the public school system. The North American Language and Cultural Assistance Program is a government-sponsored scheme that offers a great way to experience living and working in a foreign country. Salaries range from 700 to 1000 euros per month, depending on location. As the pay is quite modest by European standards, many teachers choose to top up their income by working as private language tutors in their spare time. Although placement programs are very popular, they only offer a relatively small number of positions each year. For a large percentage of teachers, the country's huge number of private language schools provides the most likely source of employment. Most private language schools prefer to hire from within the country and pay an hourly rate that ranges from 13 to 18 euros per hour. This equates to around 1300 to 1800 euros per month for a typical full-time position. Once again, it is common practice for teachers working in language schools to top up their income by taking on private students in their spare time. Working full-time as a private tutor is also common, as you are free to set your own hours and are able to charge around 20 euros per hour. Cost of living The cost of living does vary considerably in different parts of the country. In many small towns and rural areas, it is possible to live comfortably for as little as 700 euros per month, while in Madrid, you would need as much as double that figure. In large cities and top tourist destinations, rent is generally the biggest expense, so it is common for teachers to share an apartment or rent a room in the home of a local family to reduce their costs. As salaries are not particularly high, you are unlikely to be able to save much of your earnings while teaching English in Spain. However, you should still earn enough to live comfortably and to enjoy all the attractions that Spain has to offer.