Teaching English in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is Cambodia's second teaching city — quieter than Phnom Penh, with a tight-knit expat community, a steady job market, and Angkor Wat on your doorstep. It's one of Southeast Asia's most distinctive places to base a teaching career.
Siem Reap as a teaching base
Siem Reap built its reputation as Cambodia's tourism capital — the gateway to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complex that draws millions of visitors each year. But for English teachers, it's also a legitimate and rewarding teaching city in its own right, with a steady demand for English instruction driven by the tourism industry and a growing local economy.
The job market is smaller than Phnom Penh. You'll find language centres, a small number of international schools, and NGO placements — but fewer options overall, and less competition for them. Most teachers in Siem Reap report finding work within 1–3 weeks of arriving.
The lifestyle trade-off is real: lower salaries than Phnom Penh, but also lower living costs and a pace of life that many teachers actively prefer. The city is small enough to cycle across, the expat community is tight-knit and sociable, and you can be at Angkor Wat for sunrise before school.
Siem Reap vs Phnom Penh — which should you choose?
Choose Phnom Penh if you want maximum job options, higher salaries, more city energy, and better career progression. Choose Siem Reap if you prefer a slower pace, smaller community, lower costs, and the extraordinary access to Angkor Wat and Cambodia's temple landscape. Many teachers do Siem Reap first then move to the capital once they have experience.
School types and salaries in Siem Reap
| School Type | Monthly Salary | Hours/Week | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | $1,200–$1,800 | 35–40 | Limited — a few schools |
| Private Language Centres | $800–$1,000 | 20–25 | Good — main market |
| Kindergartens | $900–$1,300 | 20–25 | Moderate |
| NGO / Volunteer Roles | Stipend or unpaid | 20–30 | Good — strong NGO presence |
| Hospitality English | $12–$20/hr | Flexible | Niche but available |
What daily life looks like
The rhythms of the city
Siem Reap runs on tourism — which means the old market area, Pub Street, and the riverside are busy with travellers while residential streets away from the centre feel genuinely local and quiet. Most teachers live 5–10 minutes from their school by bicycle or tuk-tuk. The city is flat and easy to navigate.
School schedules follow the same split-shift pattern as the rest of Cambodia — morning children's classes and evening adult classes, with afternoons free. Many teachers use the free afternoons to explore temples, rent a bicycle through the surrounding countryside, or simply work from a café.
Getting around and travelling
Siem Reap's town centre is compact and walkable. Bicycles are popular and practical for daily use. Tuk-tuks are affordable for longer distances or late nights ($2–4 for most trips within town). Temple pass costs $37 for a day, $62 for 3 days — most teachers buy the 3-day pass and use it over their first few weekends.
Travel connections: Phnom Penh by bus (5–6 hours, $7–12), or by domestic flight (45 mins, from $40). Bangkok by air (1 hour). Thailand border accessible by bus for regional weekends.
🏛️ Temple access
Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and 1,000+ other temples within cycling or tuk-tuk distance. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is achievable on a school morning if you're organised.
🌊 Tonle Sap Lake
The largest inland lake in Southeast Asia, 15km from Siem Reap. Boat trips, floating villages, and extraordinary birdlife. Transforms dramatically between dry and wet season.
🎭 Arts & culture scene
Apsara dance performances, night markets, the Siem Reap Art Center Night Market, and a growing number of gallery and creative spaces make the city more culturally rich than it first appears.
Thinking about teaching in Cambodia?
TEFL Heaven's Southeast Asia programs cover placement, training, visa guidance, and in-country support.
How does the Siem Reap job market compare to Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh has roughly 5x more teaching jobs than Siem Reap. In Phnom Penh you can be selective about school type and salary. In Siem Reap the market is smaller but less competitive — if you arrive with a TEFL certificate and good English, you're likely to find work within a week or two. International school opportunities are more limited in Siem Reap, but language centres and NGO roles are available year-round.
Is Siem Reap good for first-time teachers?
Yes — many teachers specifically choose Siem Reap for a first placement because of the smaller, more supportive expat community, the less intense pace of the city, and the extraordinary lifestyle on offer. The smaller job market means fewer options, but also means you'll integrate into the teaching community quickly. Many teachers then move to Phnom Penh for their second contract with a year of experience behind them.
What's the cost of living like compared to Phnom Penh?
Counter-intuitively, Siem Reap can be slightly more expensive than Phnom Penh for some things — particularly in the tourist areas around Pub Street and the Old Market, where restaurants price for international visitors. Away from tourist zones, groceries, local food, and accommodation are cheaper. Budget around $500–$700/month for a comfortable lifestyle. The salary is lower than Phnom Penh, but so are most daily costs, making the net savings broadly comparable.