Am I underpaid???
 

I am holding a master degree in music from a recognized US university and double bachelor degrees in music and music business with a minor in marketing from the same university. Although I don't have full-time working experience, I have been teaching part time for more than 4 years both private and in an university as a lecturer in the US.

I just came back to Singpaore for a few months, working in a music school in Singapore. I got $2500 per month and is required to work 44hrs a week not including any breaks.

Am I being underpaid? I did check with the boss, he insists that this is the rate in Singapore.

Why did you come back from the US? How much were you earning there?

i was making twice more in US, but because I was there for many years by myself and really missed my family, so i decided to come back. but now i really regret............

take heart. it's not hard to strike out on your own given your experience. with 30 students of various levels ('grades'), you can easily make what you've been making. maybe one day you'll have your own music school too!

Definitely, without a doubt.
 

With Masters in Music, you should be able to command at least $50 an hour, which is horrendously below the $14 an hour you're currently paid. My grade 8 piano lessons already costs me $65 an hour, and I know many more students who pay at an even higher rate.
My frank opinion is that you should at least be securing $5000 a month. You might want to consider private music tutoring if you want to triple your pay. :p

Hi Everyday5,

Hope you are not too upset. My view is that since you have decided to come back to be with your family, then the risk of proving yourself all over again (and being underpaid) is there.

From your message, I can't determine how relevant & in-depth your part-time experience as Lecturer was to your current job. Therefore if it has no direct connection (e.g. music lecturer) to your current work & you were hired purely because of your masters in music, it is possible that your employer viewed you as an unproven talent and wanted you to start from scratch. They may actually have intention of reviewing your salary after probation.

However, if you have very relevant experience in US, you might want to speak with your current employer to renegotiate package or seek employment elsewhere if they are not willing to adjust.

In any case, I hope you won't regret & go back to US as things may not be better there. If you look deeper, alhough you may be earning double there, taxes are higher and so is cost of living. If you leave alone, you have other things to take care of.. e.g. rent, bills, opportunity cost.

I beg to differ.

I am quite convinced that it is pure exploitation. I know of teachers (with only a music diploma) who have just started teaching, commanding similar salaries at fraction of the working hours.

I would advise setting out on the private route. No private music school will ever pay more than what you can earn outside unless you have some profit sharing agreement with it.

Oh, on another note, what is the name of the spurious school? :p

Your salary is ultimately based on how much value you bring in.

How much value do you bring in ?
What is stopping you for looking for jobs at other schools ?

With degrees in music BUSINESS and MARKETING, would it be wrong to expect you know how businesses work and how to market yourself ?

I concur. Many music schools in singapore are out to squeeze their teachers dry. In fact... many private schools behave similarly.

Hi everyday5
I am looking for a qualified piano teacher for my studio. I am also a master degree piano teacher and I understand your situation. I can offer you a better pay as our fees are higher and is based on commision.
Please send mail to [email protected]

Hope to hear from you soon

Thanks!