Accept what is acceptable to you as an individual is my view. The people who are “teaching” here in China are from various educational and social backgrounds and therefore have various needs, requirements and expectations.

The young, unqualified “teacher” should never expect to be compensated in the same manner as a qualified person. These individuals should consider there very low workload and ‘perks’ in comparison to their qualified Chinese colleagues. If you’re one of the aforementioned and you’re earning 3500- 4000Y per month then you’re earning at least double that of your qualified Chinese colleague who works far longer hours. Lets have some perspective here!
What do you spend this money on; DVD’s, beer and travel? Your Chinese colleague will, do doubt, be supporting his family on less than half your salary.

Those who are qualified to teach, as has been posted, can indeed earn a very competitive salary in China and these people know what is possible and can negotiate what is fair. I find that the professional, qualified people out there are the one’s that seldom if ever have cause for complaint or run in to difficulties in China whereas the very young under qualified are the one’s that constantly complain about their ‘bad lot’.

One more thought:

As an unqualified “teacher” in your own country could you get a job teaching anything?

Could you find a job teaching which would give you an apartment, pay all the bills, provide free food and require you to work only 13 or 14 hours per week?

Would this job pay you at least double that of a qualified teacher?

Think about what you have here in China and if it’d unacceptable then go back to your own country, problem solved.

Cheers