"Rare Salary": SA Teacher in Shanghai Earns over R100k, TikTok Video Sparks Debate

• TikTok creator Boni Xaba broke down a South African teacher's payslip from Shanghai, China, on 10 October
• The South African teacher holds a BA and PGCE, works four classes a day, and takes home more than R100 000 after tax
• South Africans in the comments were divided over whether the salary reflects the reality for most teachers in China

A South African teaching in Shanghai is pulling in close to R120,000 a month. A TikTok video unpacking the payslip has left many people back home with questions.

TikTok creator Boni Xaba posted the breakdown on 10 October, reacting to a viral claim that a South African teacher in China was earning R101,000. She went further, sharing an actual payslip that told a more detailed story.

The teacher in question holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a PGCE. They work as a homeroom teacher at a primary school in Shanghai, teaching Language Arts and Social Studies, not English as many had assumed. Their schedule runs to four classes a day.

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According to the payslip Boni shared, the breakdown looks like this: a basic wage of R78 000 (32,000 yuan), a housing stipend of R14 000 (6,000 yuan), an overload allowance of R13 000 (5,300 yuan), a semester bonus of the same amount, and overtime of R3 900 (1,600 yuan). That brings total earnings to 50,250 yuan, which converts to roughly R123,942. After a tax deduction, the teacher takes home 48,530 yuan, or approximately R119,000.

Boni was careful to point out that the figure circulating online was not a basic salary. "I'm not saying this is a bad salary," she said, "but you guys, the way you were putting it out there, you made it sound like R100,000 is the basic salary." The total includes a bonus and overtime payments, which are not guaranteed every month. Watch the full payslip breakdown on Boni Xaba's TikTok:

Mzansi reacts to China teaching salary

The comments section filled up quickly, with South Africans split between scepticism and curiosity:

@Kea Nkashe said:

"These are salaries that are rare guys, it's not a genuine reflection of what's going on AT ALL"

@Vimbai Jumbe replied:

"It's very possible, especially at an International school"

@e commented:

"Okay, show me the way 👍"

@Wes Caine simply said:

"Love it."

Other Briefly News stories about South African salaries

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• A viral financial commentary video provided a clear breakdown of official statistics detailing median monthly income disparities across different demographic groups in South Africa.
• A South African woman sparked viral outrage after sharing a video detailing a formal job offer she received for a full-time position paying just R5,000 per month before deductions.
• A detailed salary breakdown explored compensation for Assistant Store Managers in South Africa, showing average earnings ranging from R8,000 to over R22,000 per month depending on store size and retail chain.

Source: Briefly News