The job market for expats is always changing, and the best jobs for foreigners are even more so. However, with the growing number of professionals looking to make a better life for themselves outside of their home country, the demand for foreign-educated Thais has also been on the rise. To help you understand which jobs are most in demand, the World’s #1 Source of Research-Based Content, The Daily Top 10 have compiled a list of the Top 10 Best and Highest-Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners.
These 10 positions each offer a good salary and noteworthy benefits. So if you’re an expat looking to stay put, this list will undoubtedly be useful! Moreover, following jobs are not just available to expats, anyone with the ambition and the aptitude can succeed in these careers.
If you’re interested about the jobs in the USA, check out our list of the Top10 Best and Highest-Paying In-Demand Jobs in the USA. In Thailand, we have an overview of the Top 10 Best and Highest Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners.
What is the Best and Highest Paying Job in Thailand For Foreigners?
With expanding job markets and opportunities, deciding what will be the best job which pays more, will be hard. With a growing number of professionals, competition for job opportunities is high. It is even harder when you step into a foreign country and try to find a job.
Before we identify the Best and Highest Paying Job in Thailand For Foreigners, let’s first go through our entire list below.
TOP 10: Entrepreneur
If you want to start your own business and make your own money, Thailand is one of the best places to start a business. You can take over an existing small business in the country like import-export companies, real estate companies and IT consulting businesses as well.
What’s best about starting a business in Thailand is you’re able to keep living costs low while you set up business. When talking about the salary scale, it is obviously limitless. Don’t worry to start a business of your own in Thai as it has become one of the top best paying jobs in Thailand for foreigners.
TOP 9: Modeling and Movie Extra Work
Capital of Thailand, Bangkok is a hub for movie productions in Asia. If you have a talent for acting and a figure of a model, you get plenty of opportunities in Thailand as a foreigner. You can be a movie extra at the lower end and make about the same amount as an expat teacher in a state school, with your talent.
According to Hotels, wages range from 2,000 baht per day for an extra in a group scene, up to 100,000+ baht for a main character role. If you lack paper qualifications, but you have talent and figure, why worry? Try modeling and movie extra work and you will earn as much as others.
TOP 8: Working in Foreign Embassies and Consulates
Foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand employ many foreign employees. Finding openings at your respective embassy (your home country) is the best way to land the job. Though the work is vigorous and tough, you will get benefits like healthcare and pension.
Moreover, these jobs are well paying by Thai standards and will be able to make about 50-150k Baht per month according to Thailand Life.
TOP 7: Engineer
Large companies based in Thailand will sometimes have openings for Electrical Engineers or Mechanical Engineers. According to Iglu, these are typically not going to be entry level jobs. It’s not worthwhile for a company in Thailand to invest in hiring a foreign engineer unless that foreigner is bringing a wealth of experience with them.
Still, if you happen to be a seasoned engineer looking for a new opportunity and new direction in life, then it would be worthwhile searching out engineering jobs in Thailand that you may be qualified for.
TOP 6: Hotel Industry
If you have the necessary educational background and experience in hotel management, you might be able to work for large hotel chains in the country. And usually they offer high-level management positions for foreign nationals with a high pay. According to Salary Explorer, Chef in Thailand typically earns around 62,000 THB per month.
There are many chefs, musicians and guest relations staff from all over the world who work and live in Thailand. There’s a high demand if you are multilingual and vacancies will be waiting for you.
TOP 5: Freelance Writer
If you want to be flexible in choosing when and where to work, freelance writing is the best pick you could do. You can write articles, academic papers or marketing content in platforms like Upwork and Fiverr as most of them do.
According to Salary Explorer, person working as a Content Writer in Thailand typically earns around 88,400 THB per month. This job is perfect if you want to work more independently.
TOP 4: Diving Instructor
There are plenty of opportunities for you if you love diving and if you are an owner of a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). If you do not have a PADI, do not worry, you can join a diving school and get it done for a few thousand dollars.
The earnings of a diving instructor can be quite good, especially during the peak of tourism in Thailand. An entry level instructor is able to earn an average salary of ฿265,720 according to the Salary Expert. If you love exploring and like to help others to do the same, this is one of the best jobs you could do as a foreigner in Thailand.
TOP 3: Real Estate Agent/Manager
Many real estate companies, including CBRE and Absolute, employ foreign nationals to manage their projects and sell properties. Job roles of this can range from property sales to business development and operational management positions.
According to Salary Expert, otential salary of a real estate agent is ฿338,721 and if you are highly experienced, ฿731,828. Thaiger also ranked Real Estate Manager as a Best and Highest-Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners.
TOP 2: Digital Services
There are plenty of digital agencies which provide career opportunities in the fields like web and mobile industries for foreign nationals, in Thailand. Many westerns have a great demand as the local companies have to work with western clients and multinational companies. It makes sense that hiring westerners is the best option. According to The Thailand Life, companies like True, Agoda, DeeMoney, Grab, and Appsynth employ foreigners and known to pay well too.
Moreover, senior software or web developers in Thai are able to earn as high as 100,000 baht per month, which is great for Thai standards according to Glassdoor and you can work 100% remotely in this field.
TOP 1: English and Foreign Language Teaching
Teaching English has a high demand in Thailand with its booming tourist industry. In fact, most people say that teaching is the main career pathway for foreigners living in the country. It is said that you do not need a degree to do a teaching job in Thailand. But if you are targeting the highest paying job, you will need a bachelor’s degree (in any field) for sure. Teachers of public schools earn between $800-$1,000 per month and many make more, according to The Workers Rights.
The huge market is not only for the English language but also for French, Chinese, and Korean as well. If you are an expat looking for the best and highest paying job in Thailand, you found it! English and Foreign Language Teaching is the Best and Highest Paying Job in Thailand for Foreigners. So, try teaching and you won’t regret it.
What are the Best and Highest Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners?
Thailand is an amazing country with a vibrant culture, exciting happenings and a relatively low cost of living. In fact, it is one of the most visited countries in the world. But what if a 2-week vacation is just not enough? Is it possible to turn your favourite holiday destination into your home and workplace? There are a growing number of foreigners who are searching for the same fact and finding out that, yes, it is possible to turn their dreams into a reality.
This is our list of the Top 10 Best and Highest Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners.
- English and Foreign Language Teaching
- Digital Services
- Real Estate Agent/Manager
- Diving Instructor
- Freelance Writer
- Hotel Industry
- Engineer
- Foreign Embassies and Consulates
- Modeling and Movie Extra Work
- Entrepreneur
Thailand is such a great place to live that naturally there are lots of people who don’t want to wait until they retire to move here. The job market is not left completely wide open to foreigners, however. Hope our list of the Top 10 Best and Highest Paying Jobs in Thailand For Foreigners, will help you in your job hunt.
Have you reviewed our list of Top 10 Best & Most Popular Places to Visit in Thailand? or instead, Top 10 Most Romantic Places for Couples to Visit in Thailand? If not, you may grab them on our website, The Daily Top 10. Stay with The Daily Top 10 through our Newsletter for more useful content and comment down your thoughts on these jobs as well. Enjoy!
Author: Saumya M.
Saumya M. is a passionate content writer known for her impeccable storytelling and research. She has covered topics ranging from travel and lifestyle to entertainment, community, and education. She helps people live their best lives and reach their full potential.
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