A 2026 guide to teaching English in Jordan: $600–$1,500 (425–1,065 JOD) monthly salaries, degree and TEFL requirements, employer-sponsored work permits, Amman living costs and current travel advice.
You can teach English in Jordan with a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, earning roughly $600–$1,500 (about 425–1,065 JOD) a month at language centres, and more at international schools. Most jobs are in Amman, hiring peaks in late summer, and your employer arranges the work permit. Because of the regional conflict, check current travel advice before you accept an offer.
TL;DR
- Salary: about $600–$1,500 (425–1,065 JOD) a month at language centres; experienced, licensed teachers at international schools can earn $3,000 (about 2,130 JOD) or more.
- Requirements: bachelor’s degree, 120-hour TEFL/TESOL or CELTA, native-level English; international schools also want a teaching licence and around two years’ experience.
- Visa: your employer applies to the Ministry of Labour for a one-year, renewable work permit, followed by a residence permit.
- Safety (2026): the US rates Jordan Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” and the UK advises against all travel within 3 km of the Syrian border; check both before you go.
- Verdict: best for qualified teachers who want Middle East experience and Arabic exposure at a moderate cost of living, not for high savings.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Jordan?
- Requirements to Teach English in Jordan
- Work Permit and Visa for Teachers
- Is It Safe to Teach in Jordan in 2026?
- English Teacher Salary in Jordan
- Types of Jobs and Where to Find Them
- Cost of Living in Amman
- Pros and Cons
- How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Jordan?
Yes, though the market is smaller and more selective than in the Gulf. English is taught from the first grade in Jordanian schools, is the language of instruction in many private and international schools, and is needed for university study, tourism, NGOs and jobs in the Gulf. That keeps demand steady for qualified native-level speakers.
Almost all opportunities are in Amman, with a handful in Irbid, Zarqa, Madaba and Aqaba. Jordan is a good fit if you want Middle East experience and Arabic exposure without Gulf-level living costs. If you are new to teaching abroad, our complete guide to teaching English as a second language explains how the global market works.
Requirements to Teach English in Jordan
Requirements depend on the employer, but reputable schools and language centres usually ask for the following:
- Degree: a bachelor’s degree in any subject is the norm for legal, full-time jobs and the work permit; an education or English degree is preferred.
- TEFL certificate: a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL or CELTA is expected by nearly all language centres. A 120-hour TEFL course meets the standard; a Level 5 TEFL or CELTA helps you compete for better-paid adult roles.
- Teaching licence: required by most international schools, along with around two years of classroom experience.
- English level: native-level English; many employers prefer passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
- Documents: a clean criminal record check, a medical exam on arrival, and attested or apostilled copies of your degree.
Work Permit and Visa for Teachers
You cannot legally teach in Jordan on a tourist visa. The usual route works like this:
- Get a job offer from a licensed school or centre.
- Enter Jordan. Many nationalities, including US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens, can get a visa on arrival, so you often start the paperwork in the country.
- Your employer applies to the Ministry of Labour for a work permit. Permits are valid for one year and can be renewed; employers normally pay the fee.
- Complete a medical test and register for residency, which gives you a residence card for the length of your contract.
Allow up to a month between accepting an offer and starting work if your permit has not been processed. Avoid any employer that asks you to work long-term on a tourist visa. For other legal work routes in the country, see our guide to finding work abroad in Jordan.
Is It Safe to Teach in Jordan in 2026?
Jordan has stayed stable, but the wider regional conflict affects travel. In 2026 the US State Department rates Jordan Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, citing terrorism and armed conflict, and lists the Syrian and Iraqi border areas, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a area of Ayn Basha as Level 4 “Do Not Travel”. In June 2026 the UK FCDO lifted its warning against non-essential travel to most of Jordan but still advises against all travel within 3 km of the Syrian border.
In practice, teachers in Amman live normal daily lives, but flights can be disrupted at short notice. Register with your embassy, buy insurance that covers your destination, and check your government’s advice before you sign and again before you fly.
English Teacher Salary in Jordan
The Jordanian dinar is pegged to the US dollar at about 0.709 JOD per dollar, so the USD figures below are stable. Pay varies widely by employer type.
| Job type | Monthly pay (USD) | Monthly pay (JOD) | Typical benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private language centre (children, teens, adults) | $600–$1,500 (most offers $650–$1,200) | About 425–1,065 | Work permit; flights and housing usually not included |
| Business English for companies | Usually within language-centre pay scales | Usually within language-centre pay scales | Often arranged through a language centre |
| International schools (licensed teachers) | Up to about $3,000+ | Up to about 2,130+ | Often housing, flights, health insurance |
| Private tutoring and online teaching | Extra income on top of a main job | Negotiated per lesson | None |
Language centres typically offer 20–30 contact hours a week plus preparation time. That pay roughly covers a modest life in Amman, so Jordan is not a savings destination unless you land an international school package. Compare it with the Gulf in our guide to the highest TEFL salaries in the world, or see what neighbouring Qatar pays English teachers.
Types of Jobs and Where to Find Them
Where do English teachers work in Jordan?
- Language centres: adult and teen classes in Amman run by organisations such as AMIDEAST, the British Council and private institutes.
- International schools: American, British and IB schools in Amman and Madaba recruit licensed teachers, often through international recruitment fairs.
- Universities: English language centres at universities hire teachers with a master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics or English.
- Fellowships: US citizens can apply for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant programme, which places assistants in Jordan.
- Volunteering: NGOs run English programmes for refugee children; these are unpaid and need their own visa arrangements.
Which job boards list teaching jobs in Jordan?
Check Teach Away, Dave’s ESL Cafe, TES and Serious Teachers for school roles, plus Bayt.com and LinkedIn for local listings. Schools hire mainly for a late-August or early-September start, and many prefer in-person interviews, so arriving in summer helps. Expat groups for Amman on Facebook are useful for tutoring work and housing leads.
Cost of Living in Amman
Amman is one of the more expensive cities in the Arab world, but it is still cheaper than the Gulf. A single teacher living frugally outside the centre needs roughly 530–680 JOD ($750–$960) a month; a comfortable central lifestyle costs about 1,000 JOD ($1,400) or more.
| Expense (monthly, single person) | JOD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat, city centre | About 330 | About $465 |
| One-bedroom flat, outside centre | About 175 | About $245 |
| Utilities | About 90 | About $130 |
| Home internet + mobile plan | About 35 | About $50 |
| Groceries | 200–230 | $280–$325 |
| Transport (taxis, ride-hailing, buses) | 60–80 | $85–$115 |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | About 5 | About $7 |
For housing, healthcare, banking and etiquette, read our complete guide to preparing for a move to Jordan.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stable, welcoming country with a large expat and NGO community | Language-centre pay leaves little room for savings |
| Strong Arabic-learning opportunities | Regional conflict brings travel advisories and flight disruptions |
| Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea within a few hours of Amman | Small job market concentrated in Amman |
| Dinar pegged to the dollar, so pay holds its value | Amman is pricier than many teachers expect |
| Employers handle the work permit | Best jobs need a degree, licence and experience |
If you want a lower-cost Arabic-speaking alternative, compare teaching English in Egypt, which has a larger language-school market.
How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Check eligibility: confirm you have a bachelor’s degree and native-level English.
- Get certified: complete a 120-hour TEFL with practice teaching, or a CELTA for adult roles.
- Prepare documents: request a criminal record check and get your degree apostilled or attested.
- Apply from April to August for September starts, using the job boards above and direct applications to schools.
- Vet the offer: get written confirmation that the employer will sponsor your work permit, and ask current teachers about pay reliability.
- Check travel advice from your government, arrange insurance, then fly in and complete the permit, medical and residency steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do English teachers earn in Jordan?
Most English teachers at language centres in Jordan earn about $600–$1,500 a month, or roughly 425–1,065 JOD. Flights and housing are rarely included at that level. Licensed teachers at international schools can earn $3,000 or more, often with housing, flights and health insurance included.
Do I need a degree to teach English in Jordan?
In practice, yes. Reputable language centres and schools ask for a bachelor’s degree in any subject, and it supports your work permit application. You will also need a 120-hour TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate. International schools additionally require a teaching licence and around two years of classroom experience.
How do I get a work permit to teach in Jordan?
Your employer applies to Jordan’s Ministry of Labour for a work permit after you accept a job. Permits last one year and are renewable. Many nationalities enter on a visa on arrival, then complete a medical test and residency registration. Never work long-term on a tourist visa, as that is illegal.
Is it safe to teach English in Jordan in 2026?
Jordan remains stable, and teachers in Amman live normal daily lives, but regional conflict has raised travel warnings. The US rates Jordan Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and the UK advises against travel within 3 km of the Syrian border. Check official advice before signing a contract and again before travelling.
When do schools in Jordan hire English teachers?
Most schools hire for a late-August or early-September start, so apply between April and August. Language centres recruit year-round in smaller numbers. Many employers prefer to interview in person, which is why some teachers arrive in summer to job-hunt, though you should secure a written offer before relying on it.
What is the cost of living for a teacher in Amman?
A single teacher living frugally outside central Amman needs about 530–680 JOD ($750–$960) a month. A comfortable central lifestyle costs around 1,000 JOD ($1,400) or more. A one-bedroom flat ranges from about 175 JOD outside the centre to 330 JOD in central areas.
Conclusion
Teaching English in Jordan suits qualified teachers who value culture, Arabic and Middle East experience over high savings. Get a 120-hour TEFL, target employers that sponsor work permits, and keep an eye on travel advice. Then compare other destinations in our guide to teaching English abroad.
