Find well paid jobs in Colombia, the gateway of South America! ☆ No one goes into teaching for the money, but man, it would be great if you could earn enough from your passion to save a little and still explore some of the cool places you’ve been dreaming of. Well, my friend, you may be able to do just that if you decide to teach English in Colombia! As they look to become a more bilingual country, English teachers in Colombia are becoming more and more important, which is where you come in!
Live abroad and get paid for it? Yes please—Become an English teacher in Colombia!
Spend your weekdays teaching kids of all ages so you can earn a comfortable salary and gain some experience. Then spend your weekends searching for monkeys in the tropical forests of Tayrona National Park, sipping local—and I mean local—coffee in Salento, admiring the street art in Bogota, or hiking in Cocora Valley, where you can stumble upon 220 foot tall wax palm trees. Teaching English in Colombia never sounded so good!
With the country’s cost of living being quite low (the average monthly salary is ~$400 USD!), it doesn’t take much to live comfortably. And have no fear, you won’t have to do it all on your own; there are a lot of programs out there that will help set you up with your dream TEFL job. You’re sure to find something that suits your personal and financial needs. To take some of the heavy lifting off of you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most well-paid jobs to teach English in Colombia. You’ll be living the dream down in South America in no time!
4 best paid teaching jobs in Colombia
1. Government Public School Teaching Program with Premier TEFL
Premier TEFL is one of the best-rated, most experienced international teaching providers out there, and when you hear about this program to teach in Colombia, it’s not hard to see why! With plenty of different placement cities and student age groups to choose from, you’re sure to find somewhere that suits your needs AND your budget. The program provides you with a visa, health insurance, domestic flights, and around-the-clock support, so you won’t have to stress about too much as you transition into your new job in Colombia either!
During your first month, including orientation in Bogota, you will be provided with shared accommodation with other international teachers. This means you can get comfortable in your new home and learn the ins and outs of the job together! After that, Premier TEFL will give you killer support in finding your own accommodation, whether you want to brave it on your own, or save some money and live with new friends. Don’t worry, your job will give you enough money to live comfortably either way!
- Where: Armenia, Barranquilla, Bogota, Cucuta, Medellin, Santa Marta, Uraba, and more!
- Average salary: ~$500+ per month
- More info: Read more about Premier TEFL
2. Teach in Colombia with ELI Abroad
ELI Abroad understands that going abroad is a personal experience. While you teach English in Colombia, you’re going to want to explore all that the country has to offer as well! From surfing in Bahia Solano, to checking out the famous Black and White Festival in Pasto, to traveling back in time in beautiful Mompox, Colombia’s becoming a highly sought-after tourist destination, so why not teach to pay for all of those weekend getaways?
With this program, no teaching experience or Spanish speaking skills are required, so it’s perfect for newbies who want to jump right in! With a stipend of at least $500 per month, you’ll have enough to save up and do everything on your Colombian bucket list. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even cross paths with Colombian-born Shakira on your walk to work! If you’ve ever considered working in South America, ELI Abroad will get you there!
- Where: Barranquilla, Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, and various rural areas
- Average salary: ~$500+ per month
- More info: Read more about ELI Abroad
3. Teaching English in Colombia with ESL Jobs Lounge
Although ESL Jobs Lounge can help you find teaching jobs anywhere in the world, English teaching jobs in Colombia are becoming increasingly popular. This program is a bit different though; pay depends greatly on the job you get. You could make $10 per hour (which is still plenty!) or much more if you’re in a private school or bigger city. Your experience level also plays a role, but we’ll tell you more about how to increase your salary later on!
The perk of this program is that many jobs will provide you with accommodation and other benefits that make the job even more financially viable. Have no fear, your salary will always be enough to cover the cost of living, but not having to pay for accommodation would be extra nice! Teaching English in Colombia with ESL Jobs Lounge is definitely a great way to get out and experience a new part of the world and make a bit of cash too!
4. 8th and 9th Grade English Teaching Jobs in Colombia with Bureche School
Nothing beats the tropical paradise of Santa Marta (seriously—Google it if you don’t know what we’re talking about!), and this program will take you right into the heart of it! Work directly with the Bureche School to find a job that suits you, rather than going from an external provider, so you can have control and predictability in your placement.
Bureche School is a fantastic institution that fosters a bilingual community, so you definitely won’t be the only one speaking English! This program does require you to be a qualified middle or high school teacher, so it’s not for everyone, but it’s perfect for those who want some independence and new challenges in the classroom. Plus, since you’re an experienced teacher, your salary is usually higher than average! Score! Now listen to local Cotton-top Tamarin chatter outside your classroom window, wishing you good luck as you begin your new, well-paid job!
[Still Not Sure? Check Out ALL International Teaching Jobs in Colombia!]
Want to increase your salary while teaching English in Colombia even more?
Working in a school with some cute kids, brushing up on your Spanish skills, and having weekends free to travel and rumbear (AKA go out partying) with some local friends? Teaching English in Colombia sounds like a pretty good deal! Unfortunately, it’s not exactly something you’re going to get rich from, but, there are ways to boost your salary, giving you that little bit of extra savings (... or to spend on travel, we won’t tell!).
Unexpected, colorful, cultural views around every corner <3
Here are some ways you could get more money while you teach in Colombia:
- Have a TEFL certificate. Although it isn’t required, having a TEFL certificate is the easiest way to set yourself apart from other applicants. You can take 120 hours of online courses, or, better yet, take an in-person class right in Colombia, so you can hop into the classroom right away!
- Teach English online while you’re at it. If you’re already in the mindset of teaching English, why not spread the love across the internet? Earn some extra money (anywhere for ~$10 to $25/hour!) on sites like VIPKID, Qkids, or Cambly. This is also a great way to get some teaching practice before you leave for Colombia!
- Work at and international school or language academy. Sometimes you won’t get much of a say in where your placement is during your time teaching English in Colombia, but those working in these schools will usually make a better salary than those working in public schools. So, if you have the choice and you want the money, go private!
- Get a side hustle as a tutor. Lots of schools offer after school tutoring for students who want some extra help, so that’s a great thing to do while you teach in Colombia! It gives you some more money to travel around and better supports your students!
- Have a degree. We’re not saying you should go out and get a degree just to increase your pay, but, if you already have a Masters’ or a teaching degree, that will definitely give you a leg up for getting a better salary when you teach English in Colombia!
- Live in shared accommodation. This won’t increase your salary, but it can drastically reduce the cost of living, especially in big cities, like Bogota, giving you more money to save or travel. Grab a few teacher friends and find a place to share!
- Negotiate salary with your employer. This can be a bit awkward, but, if you think you deserve a better salary, negotiate it! Find out what the cost of living is in your placement city, the average teaching salary, and how your qualifications could change how you’re paid and see if your employer is willing to bend.
- Crowdfund before you go. Try using a fundraising websites, like FundMyTravel, to give you a bit of a financial buffer when you go overseas to teach in Colombia. Share your plans and purpose with your family, friends, and coworkers and maybe they’ll donate some money to your cause!
- Consider the benefits. Your salary may not look like much, but many programs provide insurance, flights, housing, excursions, and/or 24/7 support that make things a lot more financially viable if you want to teach in Colombia! Don’t be discouraged!
Your teaching English in Colombia salary is poppin’!
Don't go spending all your hard earned cash in one place... unless it's this epic souvenir shop!
Pack your pens and pencils—it’s time to start your teaching journey abroad! Now that your salary is as high as a Bogota skyscraper, you’re ready to make your next move in confidence and say “¿Qué mas?” to your new home in South America. Depending on the job and your experience, you may not make a fortune from an English teaching job in Colombia, but you’ll definitely have enough to afford rent, food, and some travel around the country. So, live it up for your whole stay and make everyone back home jealous with your killer Insta posts while still making a difference in the lives of the Colombian people!
There’s nothing better than doing a job you love and getting compensated for it. Especially if that means you can spend time sampling homemade Ajiaco soup in Bogota, listening to great music at the Vallento Legend Festival, or looking out for keel-billed Toucans on your walk to your afternoon classes. No matter which program you go with, you’re setting yourself up for a fantastic new adventure!
Use MyGoAbroad to Save & Compare English Teaching Jobs in Colombia
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLvAm6momZRjsLC5jpqpraGTobK0e9OemJygXZavs7vAnWawnZyherGtyJ1ko6eSqHq1scCcn2adnpy5qr%2FHZqCnZZOkubC5waKY