Teaching English in Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital is the best city in the country for teaching jobs — highest salaries, most schools, strongest demand. It's also one of Southeast Asia's most underrated cities to actually live in.
Why Phnom Penh is Cambodia's #1 teaching city
Phnom Penh is home to around 1.5 million people and is the economic, cultural, and educational centre of Cambodia. For English teachers, it offers the strongest job market in the country — more schools, more school types, more salary range, and more opportunity to build a teaching career than any other Cambodian city.
The capital has over 50 international schools, hundreds of private language centres, and a growing demand for business English from Cambodia's expanding professional class. Whether you're a first-time teacher looking for your first language centre role or an experienced educator targeting an international school position, Phnom Penh is where the most options are.
Beyond the classroom, Phnom Penh surprises most teachers. The French colonial architecture along the riverside, the excellent café culture in BKK1, the vibrant night markets, and a genuinely warm expat community make it a city that people expect to stay in for a year and end up staying in for three.
School types and what they pay in Phnom Penh
| School Type | Monthly Salary | Hours/Week | Entry Requirements | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | $1,500–$2,500 | 35–40 | Degree + teaching experience | Experienced teachers |
| Private Language Centres | $900–$1,200 | 20–25 | TEFL cert, English fluency | First-timers |
| Kindergartens | $1,000–$1,500 | 20–25 | TEFL cert, energy, patience | Young learner teachers |
| Universities | $1,000–$1,800 | 15–25 | Usually a degree | Adult learners |
| Business English | $15–$25/hr | Flexible | Experience + network | Supplemental income |
| NGOs / Non-profits | Stipend or unpaid | 20–30 | TEFL cert or equivalent | Mission-driven teachers |
Best neighbourhoods for teachers in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a sprawling city, but expat teachers tend to cluster in a few key areas that balance proximity to schools, quality of life, and affordability.
BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
The expat heartland — most popular, most expensive
The most established expat area in Phnom Penh. Tree-lined streets, excellent cafés and restaurants, Western-friendly amenities, and a dense concentration of international schools and language centres. Most popular with teachers who want to be at the centre of the action.
Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)
Popular, lively, great value
Known for the Russian Market, this area has a more local character than BKK1 while still being very expat-friendly. Cheaper rents, excellent street food, and still well-connected to the main school districts. A favourite among teachers who prefer authentic neighbourhood life over polished expat bubble.
Daun Penh (Riverside)
Historic, walkable, central
The historic core of Phnom Penh, with the Royal Palace, National Museum, and riverfront promenade all within walking distance. A mix of colonial architecture and modern development. Good central location for teachers working in multiple parts of the city. Slightly more touristy than other areas.
Toul Kork
Quieter, residential, growing
A more residential, quieter neighbourhood increasingly popular with teachers who want space and calm over nightlife proximity. Good international schools nearby, newer apartment buildings, and slightly lower rents than BKK1. Getting better transport links as the city develops northward.
What life looks like as a teacher in Phnom Penh
The teaching schedule
Most language centre positions run morning children's classes (7–11am), a midday break, and evening adult classes (5:30–8pm). This split schedule gives you free afternoons — ideal for private tutoring, exploration, or simply adjusting to tropical life. International school positions run conventional school hours. Most teachers work 20–25 contact hours per week.
Getting around
Phnom Penh's traffic has grown significantly. Most teachers use the Grab or PassApp ride-hailing apps for short journeys ($1–3), or rent a motorbike ($50–80/month) for daily commuting. Cycling is possible in quieter streets but the traffic on main roads is intense. Tuk-tuks are cheaper but slower.
Social life and community
Phnom Penh has a well-established expat teacher community. Facebook groups, teacher meetups, and language exchanges make it easy to meet people quickly. The BKK1 and riverfront areas have a dense concentration of bars, restaurants, and events. Most teachers report feeling socially settled within 2–4 weeks.
Weekend escapes
Phnom Penh's location makes it an excellent base for regional travel. Siem Reap is 5–6 hours by bus ($7–12). Ho Chi Minh City is a direct bus across the Vietnam border. Bangkok is a 1-hour flight. Kampot and the southern coast are 3 hours away. Most teachers travel at least once a month.
The honest reality of Phnom Penh traffic
Traffic congestion in Phnom Penh has increased significantly in recent years. Budget extra time for commutes during peak hours (7–9am and 5–7pm). Most experienced teachers either live close to their school or accept that commuting is part of the deal. The Grab app makes getting around easier than it used to be.
Interested in teaching in Cambodia?
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Is Phnom Penh safe for foreign teachers?
Yes — Phnom Penh is generally considered safe for foreign residents. The main concerns are petty theft (bag snatching from motorbikes is not uncommon, particularly at night) and traffic accidents. Most teachers feel safe walking around the expat areas at night. The usual urban common sense applies: stay aware of your surroundings, don't flash expensive items, use Grab rather than hailing random motorbikes late at night.
How long does it take to find a job in Phnom Penh?
Most teachers find their first language centre position within 1–2 weeks of arriving and actively applying. International school positions take longer — sometimes 4–8 weeks — because the hiring process involves more formal interviews, document checks, and contract negotiation. Budget for 2–4 weeks of living costs before your first paycheck arrives even if you find work quickly.
What's the internet like for remote work or online teaching?
Generally good in BKK1 and central areas. Most apartments include WiFi, and dedicated 60Mbps+ home internet costs around $20–35/month. Coworking spaces in BKK1 and the riverside area offer reliable fast connections for $5–10/day or $80–150/month. Many teachers supplement their classroom income with online platform teaching from home, which works well with Cambodia's GMT+7 timezone aligning with East Asian student demand.