The Cambodia Teaching Budget: Rent, Pay, and Savings for 2026

These figures reflect information regarding pay, cost-of-living, taxes, rent, etc., provided on CEP’s website, in relation to their Cambodia Teach Program.  Please check the figures independently, prior to committing, as things do change.

Now let’s face that tough question nobody wants to answer.  It isn’t whether Cambodia is inexpensive, but rather what is left over each month after subtracting rent, daily living expenses, SIM card costs, and the occasional tuk-tuk fare.

Let’s crunch those numbers now, and take them seriously.

How Much Would You Be Paid?

Of note, CEP’s program in Cambodia is one of the few that requires NO Bachelor's Degree, making it ideal for career-changing individuals who do not hold teaching qualifications.  Non-degree holder teachers earn a base salary of $800-$1,500 per month.  Those with degrees earn $1,000-$1,600 per month.  Graduated taxes include 0% tax on the initial monthly earnings of $375; 5% tax on monthly salaries of $375-$500; and 10% tax on earnings between $500-$2,125.

What You'd Spend.

Teacher housing averages $200- $400 in monthly rent.  Daily costs for food, transportation, and the like average $10, which translates to $300 per month.  Tuk-tuk rides cost $1, and meals vary depending on appetite, from $2 to $3 each.

Phnom Penh cost-of-living estimators report a modest single-individual budget ranging from $780 to $1,300 per month.  This wide variation results from their reporting a broader range of possible expenses associated with expat life in Cambodia than CEP does — namely, luxury condominiums in high-end locations rather than typical teachers’ local homes.  Their estimates are higher because CEP bases them on a standard teacher's budget, not a digital nomad’s.  At the lower end, however, the independent projections correspond fairly accurately to CEP estimates.

How Much Would You Save?

Based on the salary-to-cost-of-living information presented above, most teachers save approximately $300-$500 per month after accounting for rent and daily living expenses.  While not extravagant sums of cash saved each month, these amounts certainly add up.  Not to mention, the program itself ensures you a guaranteed teaching job placement prior to your arrival.  As such, additional income opportunities become readily available to certain individuals, often including supplementary tutoring services.  This can be quite lucrative on a monthly basis, though it varies greatly depending on individual circumstances.

There are eight separate intakes throughout each calendar year.  Should your particular intake date fall outside of schedule constraints, fear not, as another intake will likely follow fairly soon thereafter.

Should your considerations include earning your certification through CEP’s TEFL Plus program, please note that this is an internationally accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate included as part of the tuition package.  CEP offers a FREE trial period that includes access to the first three instructional modules before full commitment.

Visa processing is handled by the program organizers.  They provide comprehensive guidance on this topic both before departure from their home countries and upon arrival in Cambodia.

Talk to us about teaching in Cambodia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in Cambodia as a teacher?

Rent for teacher-style housing runs $200 to $400 a month, and day-to-day costs, food, transport, and basics, run around $10 a day, or roughly $300 a month. Total monthly living costs typically range from $500 to $700.

How much can I save teaching English in Cambodia?

With CEP's salary range of $800 to $1,600 per month, most teachers save $300 to $500 per month after rent and living expenses. Some add to that with private tutoring once they're settled.

Do I need a college degree to teach in Cambodia?

No. Cambodia is one of the few CEP programs that doesn't require a bachelor's degree, making it accessible to career changers. A 120-hour, internationally accredited TEFL certification is required instead, and CEP's TEFL Plus course is included in the program.

How much tax will be deducted from my salary as a teacher in Cambodia?

Cambodia uses a graduated scale for teachers: 0 percent on the first $375 a month, 5 percent on income between $375 and $500, and 10 percent on income between $500 and $2,125.

Which other countries does CEP place teachers in besides Cambodia?

CEP also places teachers in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, and Vietnam on either long-term or summer program tracks, depending on the country.

The Cultural Exchange Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has placed native English speakers in paid teaching positions abroad for decades. Programs in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Randy LeGrant, CEP's Executive Director, writes these blog posts. If you like his writing, he also writes The Crossing — a weekly letter drawn from fifty years of watching people change their lives and their location. One story, one step, one question. Three minutes, every Friday. Subscribe free here.