Comments on: The Real Slim, Shady Expat Wages Stand Up

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:04:03 +0000

Erica,

I agree with you that China is often about making money, but there are plenty of do-nothings here that somehow have a hard time facing their homelands again after wasting a few years drinking cheaply and not learning Mandarin. Who knows, maybe you get what you earn, just as you get what you pay for.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:58:19 +0000

Expatitus, you’re forgetting I mentioned that the majority are 26-30 year old professionals . How many of those do you see among the foreign multimillionaire Capital Club group? Certainly, few if any.

The survey is up to 78 respondents now, and holding with relatively low salaries.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:52:15 +0000

Good point Wombadan. But residents of Washington D.C. of this age are pretty transitory too, with few D.C.-specific skills. Starting salaries are much higher, though you might have to stay in a roach-infested apartment in the ‘burbs. You’ll find better Chinese food around the corner, at least.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Hi Kris,

About 5 percent of respondents come from somewhere else in Asia at this point in survey time. The majority are by far from North America, at 60.3 percent. Twenty-one percent are from Europe, 2.6 percent from Africa, 6.4 percent from Australia. 11.5 percent hail from the mainland here. No one claims to come from South America, Antarctica, Heavan, Hell, or Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Results aren’t final, so keep the votes coming.

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:19:45 +0000

“I believe the reasons to stay in China, is not about the money, it’s about the experiences, about the different lifestyle/culture, about the freedom, about the adventure to some people” says Kris

nah Kris, it’s pretty much all about the money. Unless you enjoy experiencing your life expectancy to be dramatically reduced. Who knows

By: Expatitus

Expatitus — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:49:37 +0000

Some expats here are on huge packages: massive salaries, housing, car & chauffuer, kids education etc. That can add up to USD500,000 a year plus. But these guys are GOOD. Experienced, trusted individuals who know what they are doing. The long term guys will also be earning a fortune: salaries plus dividends. If you researched the Capital Club expat members you’d find all of them are multi-millionaires. So it depends who you’re talking to. It looks as if this “survey” (you can find 15 people in Starbucks for crissakes) isn’t exactly credible. You need a proper cross section, and the English teachers you mention are generally at the bottom end of the scale unless they’re with a big international school.

By: Wombadan

Wombadan — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:51:35 +0000

I don’t think the vast majority of expats in China have bothered to learn the language, and most of them only stay for a couple of years. The turn around rate is huge. So unless someone has very specific China skills / experience / language, salaries for expats are not going to be very high here for a group that usually just lasts two years then leaves. You’re far better investing in local staff.

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:05:16 +0000

Do expats include those from HK, TW, Singapore, Malaysia..? In my industry, we have lots from other Asian counties. They get well paid, partly because they are good in both Chinese and English, but the most important reason is that they do work very hard & their professional standards are very high…
I think those expats working in the office, say business professionals, with manager or senior executive titles, still earn more money than local. Their payment are actually not bad at all. English lauguage could be a good reason to be hired, but not enough now.
As for the English teacher, it’s another story. They never get well paid here, unless they work in international schools.
Again, it’s all about choices. Nobody forces any expats to stay her. I believe the reasons to stay in China, is not about the money, it’s about the experiences, about the differnt lifestyle/culture, about the freedom, about the adventure to some people.

By: Elizabeth Choy

Elizabeth Choy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:09:04 +0000

Pardon?

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:56:31 +0000

Elizabeth,

I think you should change your last name to Taylor and wear a perfume that isn’t my favorite.