Recruitment season is in full swing, and if you’re exploring international school opportunities, you’ve probably noticed a huge range of salaries and benefits. Some packages look glamorous on paper: big numbers, impressive perks, and locations that spark instant wanderlust.
But here’s the truth seasoned international educators eventually learn:
A high teaching abroad salary doesn’t automatically equal high savings.
When researching the benefits for potential jobs, the number that matters most, especially if financial stability or debt payoff is part of your motivation, is savings potential.
Savings potential = the amount of money an average teacher can realistically save each year after covering essential in-country living expenses.
This post breaks down why savings potential matters, what influences it, and how my family paid off more than $80,000 in student loans teaching internationally, without sacrificing meaningful travel or quality of life. My hope is that this builds community, sparks conversation, and gives educators the transparency we all deserve.
Want more information about how to get a job at an international school? Check out these posts:
- How to Get a Job at an International School: First Steps for Teaching Abroad
- International School Recruitment: Where to Find Jobs and How to Get Hired
- Moving Abroad as a Teacher: How to Prepare for Your First International School Job
- International School Services vs Search Associates: Which International School Recruitment Agency is Right for You?
- What to Expect at Your First International School Job Fair
- International School Teacher Benefits Packages Explained: Housing, Airfare, Healthcare, and Tuition Benefits
- How Much Money Can You Really Save Teaching Overseas? A Practical Guide for Educators
- Teaching Abroad with Kids: A Practical Guide for International School Teachers and Expat Families
- Teaching Couples and Families Abroad: Navigating International School Careers Together
Why Savings Potential Matters More Than Salary
You can find schools that pay $90K+, but if the cost of living in that city is sky-high, your actual savings potential might be less than at a school paying $50K in a lower-cost region.
I’ve seen schools offer:
- $92K salary, $7K savings potential → major global city, high taxes, no housing included.
- $55K salary, $20–25K savings potential → regional city, housing included, low day-to-day costs.
If your goal is saving money teaching internationally, the question isn’t “How high is the salary?”
It’s “How much can I realistically save here based on my lifestyle, my debts, and the location’s cost of living?”
My Personal Journey: What I Actually Saved Teaching Abroad
South Korea: $25,000 of student loans gone in 18 months
When I moved to South Korea, I was motivated by one thing: financial freedom. I was determined to chip away at my loans, and I built my lifestyle around that goal.
What saving looked like for me in Korea:
- I didn’t go out partying every weekend; not my thing, not why I was there.
- My “entertainment” was hiking and exploring neighborhoods with friends.
- I rarely ate in Itaewon with its’ many foreigner-themed restaurants; it was pricey and catered to expats.
- Korean food is healthier, cheaper, and delicious, so that’s what I ate.
- My school provided lunch, which was a major daily saving.
These choices weren’t sacrifices, they were simply aligned with the life I wanted.
Result: Over $25K of student loans paid off in less than two years.
Timor-Leste: Travel + savings at the same time
Timor-Leste was a different financial landscape with expensive imports, limited availability of certain foods, and a small economy. Still, my husband and I made meaningful progress on our student loans while also navigating the first year of parenthood.
How we saved:
- We avoided high-cost imported goods unless absolutely necessary.
- Fresh milk was $11 USD a pint; so we learned to enjoy the alternative: shelf-stable UHT.
- We learned to make food from scratch at home. I still prefer homemade sour cream over store bought!
- Quality imported meat was expensive, so we ate mostly vegetarian at home.
- Entertainment was hiking, snorkeling, or beach days.
- We spent money on experiences that mattered, not convenience purchases.
Result: Another $40K+ in loans paid off within two years.
Saudi Arabia: Strategic spending and delayed purchases
When we moved to Saudi Arabia, we made a decision early on: don’t rush into big purchases.
For months, we:
- Used taxis and school transportation instead of buying a car.
- Explored our new city intentionally; focusing on quality over quantity.
- Bought secondhand whenever possible.
- Took our time learning which stores had the best prices for home goods and took note of grocery prices around town.
- Relied on a trusted taxi service whose drivers helped us learn the city.
Result: From August to December of our first year, we paid off the last chunk of our student loans.
Total debt between my first master’s degree, our two education master’s degrees, two teacher certifications, and my husband’s undergrad loans: $80K+
Total debt-free date: December of our first year in Saudi Arabia.
Why “Slow Living” Helps You Save When Teaching Internationally
A common trap new international educators fall into is treating the experience like a constant vacation.
But when you move abroad:
You are not on holiday—you are building a life.
Choosing patience over urgency helps you:
- Learn the true cost of living.
- Make intentional purchases.
- Travel thoughtfully instead of impulsively.
- Build a routine that supports your financial goals.
- Avoid burnout from trying to “do everything” too fast.
A school might offer a high salary, but if basic groceries, rent, transportation, and leisure costs are extreme, your day-to-day stress increases, and your savings disappear.
The Role of Location and Community
International schools vary widely by size, resources, culture, and location.
Sometimes:
- Schools with lower salaries can have higher savings potential because cost of living is low.
- Schools with impressive salaries can have low savings potential because living costs are extreme.
- Housing may or may not be included.
- Taxes can make a huge difference.
- Some locations attract mostly families; others attract mostly singles.
This matters because your financial well-being impacts your sense of belonging in a school community.
When you are hired to work at an international school, it’s for your expertise and experience. The best way to show your school that hiring you was the right choice is to show up to work every day ready to do good work. It’s hard to do that if you are constantly stressed about money.
Why Using an International Recruitment Platform Helps
Schools often share more detailed benefits information through recruitment platforms than they put on their public websites.
These details can include:
- Housing type (apartment, allowance, shared, provided)
- Utilities coverage
- Furniture allowances or if it is provided by the school
- Income tax information
- Savings potential estimates
- Shipping/freight allowance
- Flight benefits
- Retirement fund contributions
- Professional development budgets
This level of transparency gives you a clearer picture of if a school is a good match for your goals, including financial ones.
Want a full breakdown of benefits at international schools? Check out this post: International School Teacher Benefits Packages Explained: Housing, Airfare, Healthcare, and Tuition Benefits
Want to know your options? Check out this post: International School Services vs Search Associates: Which International School Recruitment Agency is Right for You?
So How Much Can You Save Teaching Internationally?
It depends on:
- Your personal budget and habits
- Your student loan or debt situation
- Benefits included (housing, utilities, flights)
- Local cost of living
- Your travel expectations
- Your family size
- Your commitment to living within (or below) your means
- The savings potential of your school
What’s realistic?
- There are many schools around the world where many educators can save $20K–$40K per year.
- There are some schools where a teaching couple can sometimes save $50K+, especially in lower-cost regions with full housing benefits.
- Even modest savers often save far more than they would teaching in their home country.
Final Thoughts: Make Sure Your Job Fits Your Life
Your international teaching journey should support:
- Your professional growth
- Your financial wellness
- Your lifestyle
- Your long-term plans
- Your sense of community
A school can be amazing on paper, but if you can’t afford to live there, or if the community doesn’t match your needs, you will struggle.
A job with a lower salary but higher savings potential may give you the stability, freedom, and peace of mind you need to thrive.
Where you are in life also matters.
My husband and I still consider savings potential because of our financial goals and our children’s needs.
One day, when it’s just the two of us, our priorities will shift.
Your priorities will shift too, and that’s okay.
For now:
Be realistic.
Be curious.
Ask detailed questions.
Look beyond salary and choose the school where you can thrive: financially, professionally, and personally.
Ready to take the next step and get a job at an international school? Check out these posts:
- How to Get a Job at an International School: First Steps for Teaching Abroad
- International School Recruitment: Where to Find Jobs and How to Get Hired
- Moving Abroad as a Teacher: How to Prepare for Your First International School Job
- International School Services vs Search Associates: Which International School Recruitment Agency is Right for You?
- What to Expect at Your First International School Job Fair
- International School Teacher Benefits Packages Explained: Housing, Airfare, Healthcare, and Tuition Benefits
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