Compare offers using guaranteed pay, housing costs and the complete working week. Keep conditional bonuses separate. Two advertisements with the same monthly headline can leave you with different money available and different demands on your time.
Put both offers on the same basis
Ask each employer to complete the same table. If one figure is before tax and another is after tax, they are not yet comparable; request a written explanation rather than applying a guessed conversion.
| Item | What you need in writing |
|---|---|
| Base salary | Currency, payment period, tax basis and probation rate |
| Housing | Accommodation or cash allowance; conditions and payment timing |
| Performance bonus | Amount, assessment rules and when it becomes payable |
| Completion payment | Contract conditions and payment date |
| Overtime | What counts, how it is authorized and how it is paid |
| Working time | Teaching time, other duties and required attendance |
| Leave and insurance | Actual terms, exclusions and who pays |
| Relocation costs | Who pays upfront and which costs are reimbursed later |
Keep the original offer beside your comparison so you can see which answers are confirmed and which remain open.
A worked example
The figures below are fictional. They are not Flying English terms, Shanghai salary averages or an estimate of take-home pay. Assume both offers use the same tax basis and both housing payments are unconditional.
| Monthly item | Example A | Example B |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | RMB 22,000 | RMB 24,000 |
| Housing allowance | RMB 3,000 | RMB 1,000 |
| Guaranteed monthly total under these assumptions | RMB 25,000 | RMB 25,000 |
| Conditional quarterly bonus | Up to RMB 3,000 | None |
Averaging A's maximum quarterly bonus adds RMB 1,000 to a monthly illustration. It does not make RMB 26,000 a guaranteed payment each month. Budget from the confirmed amount and treat the bonus according to its actual conditions and payment date.
Next, compare the full workload and the homes you would realistically rent. Equal headline compensation does not mean equal disposable income or equal working time.
Separate your monthly budget from arrival costs
Rent, utilities, transport and ordinary spending belong in a recurring budget. Flights, temporary accommodation, a deposit and advance rent belong in an arrival budget. A reimbursed expense still requires you to have money available before reimbursement.
Use current quotes for your circumstances. Our rental guide explains the questions that affect the upfront commitment; the moving checklist helps you put payments in date order.
Is the highest salary the best offer?
Only if the other terms also fit your priorities. Compare the class responsibilities, support, schedule and practical costs. Use the workload guide to avoid comparing a classroom-hours figure with someone else's total working week.
Before accepting, request clarification of any difference between the advertisement, recruiter messages and written offer. For Flying English, begin with the role page and ask the recruitment team to confirm your specific package.