Overview
As a teacher, you generally donβt have to pay any salary taxes in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the jobs in these countries would be the best paying in the world even if you did have to pay tax. Contracts often include generous accommodation packages that are suitable for housing the family of the teacher. Flights from/to country of origin are usually paid for by the company. It is extremely lucrative here and there is a strong demand for teachers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The downside is that it isnβt always easy living here. Most native English speakers find the very conservative laws stifling and repressive. Teaching materials need to be carefully adapted accordingly. As a result, teaching positions in the Middle East are perhaps not suitable for first-timers. Those more mature folk who already have a few years of teaching experience elsewhere β and are aiming to save some money β stay here for several years before returning home to buy a house with their substantial savings.
Most countries require a BA, a TEFL certificate, and 1 or 2 years of experience. The top positions require an MA and/or PGCE (or equivalent). See below for country by country breakdowns and the typical requirements and salaries.
Locations and Salary
| Country | Main Cities/Areas | Salary range (USD/month) |
| Afghanistan | Kabul | $500 – $1000 |
| Algeria | Algiers | $600 – $1200 |
| Bahrain | Manama | $1500 – $3000 |
| Egypt | Cairo | $800 – $2500 |
| Iran | Tehran | $500 – $1500 |
| Iraq | Kurdistan | $500 – $2000 |
| Israel | Tel Aviv | $1000 – $2500 |
| Jordan | Amman | $800 – $2500 |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | $2000 – $3000 |
| Lebanon | Beirut | $500 – $2000 |
| Libya | Tripoli | $1500 – $2500 |
| Morocco | Rabat, Marrakech | $800 – $2000 |
| Oman | Muscat, Sur | $2000 – $3500 |
| Palestine | Ramallah | $500 – $1000 |
| Qatar | Doha | $1500 – $3000 |
| Saudi Arabia | Jeddah, Riyadh | $2500 – $5000 |
| Tunisia | Tunis, Sousse | $800 – $2000 |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | $2500 – $4500 |
| Yemen | Sana’a | $800 – $1200 |
Typical Job Requirements
| Country | Degree? | TEFL Certification? | Experience? |
| Afghanistan | Yes | Yes | No |
| Algeria | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bahrain | Yes | Yes | 3-5 Years |
| Egypt | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Iran | Yes | Yes | No |
| Iraq | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Israel | Yes | Yes | No |
| Jordan | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Kuwait | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Lebanon | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Libya | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Morocco | Yes | Yes | No |
| Oman | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Palestine | Yes | Yes | No |
| Qatar | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| Saudi Arabia | Yes | Yes | 3-5 Years |
| Tunisia | Yes | Yes | 1-2 Years |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes | Yes | 3-5 Years |
| Yemen | Yes | Yes | No |
Fun Fact About the Middle East
One interesting fact about the Middle East that might intrigue an English teacher is that the region is home to a rich literary heritage. Many famous literary works were written in the Middle East, including “One Thousand and One Nights” (commonly known as Arabian Nights), which is a collection of folk tales from the Islamic Golden Age. These tales have had a significant influence on Western literature and continue to captivate readers with their fantastical stories and cultural insights.