Teaching in the US can be an incredible opportunity for you and your family. It is important that you understand the costs involved before making decisions about whether this opportunity is right for you at this time.
The information below outlines fees you can expect before and after you arrive in the US on a J-1 visa.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE :
1. We do not charge a program application fee, but if your application is successful, there will be fees to apply for the visa and embassy interview, and fees for transcript evaluation. (see FEES PAID BEFORE THE DS2019 IS ISSUED tab below)
2. Once the DS2019 has been issued, there are sponsor visa fees, travel costs for you and your family and fees to apply for your US teaching license. (see COSTS AFTER THE DS2019 IS ISSUED tab below)
AFTER YOU ARRIVE :
3. Upon arrival to the US, you will have many costs before you receive your first paycheck (costs of setting up your apartment, securing transportation, living expenses). If you are single, we recommend that you plan to bring at least $6000-$8000 (US dollars) with you to get you through this time. If you are bringing a family, that amount may need to increase. (see START-UP COSTS AFTER ARRIVAL IN THE US tab below)
4. There will be on-going fees during your stay in the US (annual visa renewal fees, extension fees, etc.). (see OTHER COSTS AND FEES tab below)
5. Finally, you need to calculate the living expenses you will have in the US in the context of a US teaching salary. Teaching salaries in the US vary by district and type of school, and are calculated based upon your education and years of experience. (see the section called Your Monthly Budget in the US) The amount that you have available to spend will be your “net pay” (which is your gross pay minus certain taxes and other deductions outlined on the PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS tab below).
Look through the tables below carefully and play with the estimated living expenses calculator to get an idea about how to budget for a teaching salary and monthly expenses.
1. FEES PAID BEFORE THE DS2019 IS ISSUED
| WHO COLLECTS FEES | TYPE OF FEE | AMOUNT | HOW OFTEN | WHO PAYS THE FEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. ICE | SEVIS I-901 Fee (Teacher Only) | $220 | One- time | Applicant |
| U.S. Dept. of State | Nonimmigrant VISA Application (DS-160)- Non-refundable and charged per person** | $185 min** | One-time per app*** | Applicant |
| Third Party | Transcript evaluation fee (Fee increases if translation is needed) | $200-$300 | One-time | Applicant |
| Estimated Total | $605+ (depending on number of dependents and transcript evaluation cost) |
** May vary based on your country of origin; fee is charged for each J-1 and J-2 Visa applicant; U.S. Government fees are subject to change
***Fee may be paid again after visa extension
2. COSTS AFTER THE DS2019 IS ISSUED
| TYPE OF FEE | AMOUNT | WHO PAYS THE FEE |
|---|---|---|
| Visa sponsorship fees (annual fees for teachers starting program in 2023-24) | $1,600** | Teacher or Host School |
| J-2 Sponsorship fees (annual fees for spouses and dependents; max of $2,500 per family per year) | $600 | Teacher or Host School |
| Required insurance (all J-1 and J-2 visitors must have insurance coverage while in the U.S. minimum coverage is $70 per person per month; cost for more comprehensive coverage varies by school) | $70/monthly per person and up | Teacher |
| Teaching license and exams/ state certification- fee and application process varies from state to state | $50-$100 on average to obtain a teaching license and receive a background check, depending on the state. If you need to take licensure exams (for example PRAXIS), the cost is between $90-$150. | Teacher |
| Travel to the U.S. for Teacher (and family, if applicable) | Varies widely for airfare and travel costs | Teacher |
| Estimated Total | $1,700-$2,000 plus travel expenses ($500-$3,000 per person) |
* Host schools will disclose what fees they are willing to pay after an offer has been extended and before final applicant approval.
** Annual sponsorship fee covers the following services: collection and analysis of required documents; pre-screening interview; matching with potential host schools; disclosing program and school expectation; guidance on application and interview for Visa embassy appointments; orientation;support with medical insurance and taxes; reviewing cultural activity reports; extension application; assistance with host school moves; continual monitoring, support, and consultation throughout the program; onsite host school visits; assistance with classroom related issues; assistance with teacher licensing; assistance with dependent arrival and visa application; response to incident reports from teacher or school; guidance on transitioning back to home country; program completion certificate; letter of recommendation
3. START-UP COSTS AFTER ARRIVAL IN THE US
| EXPENSE CATEGORY | COST RANGE |
|---|---|
| Transportation | $200-$800/ month for insurance, gasoline, and maintenance, $10,000+ to purchase a vehicle. There are very few places in the U.S.A. where you can get by without a vehicle. |
| Housing | Average monthly rent ranges from $1,200-$2,500 depending on the size and location. The average rent in Indiana's largest city is $1,200/ month for a one bedroom apartment. Most apartments/houses for rent will not include furnishings. Most houses for rent are at least $1,500 or more. |
| Utilities (not usually included in rent) | $200-$400/month for utilities such as heat, electricity, water, internet, etc. This can vary depending on location and amount of use. |
| Food | Varies depending on family size; the USDA average for a single person=$350/month; average for family of 4= $1,350 |
| Cell Phone | Average of $60/month for one person |
| Childcare | If you have dependents with you- average range for childcare in Indiana, where the majority of Sagamore teachers are, is from $1,000-$2,000/month per child. Price may vary based on age of child as well. |
| Estimated Total: | $8,000 and up |
4. OTHER COSTS AND FEES
| WHO COLLECTS FEES | TYPE OF FEE | AMOUNT | HOW OFTEN | WHO PAYS THE FEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagamore Institute | Annual Visa Sponsorship Fees | $1,600 | Annually, per teacher | Teacher or Host School |
| Sagamore Institute | Annual J-2 Sponsorship fees (for spouses and dependents; max of $3,000 per family per year) | $600 | Annually, per person | Teacher or Host School |
| Sagamore Institute | Required insurance (all J-1 and J-2 visitors must have insurance coverage while in the U.S. Minimum coverage is $70 per person per month; cost for more comprehensive coverage varies by school) | $70 per person and up | Monthly, per person | Teacher |
| State Dept. via Sagamore | Extension Fee- teachers who wish to extend their program beyond the first three years may apply for a 1-2 year extension | $500 | During third program year | Teacher or Host School |
| USCIS | For J-2 Spouses and older dependents who want to work in the U.S., there is a non-refundable filing fee paid to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The fee is $520. The application takes up to eight months to process and approval is not guaranteed. If awarded, the work permit is valid for two years. | $520 | EAD is valid for up to 5 years | Teacher |
| Sagamore Institute | Various fees for optional actions (moving schools when permitted, entering into a payment plan, late payments, etc) | $10-$300 | Varies | Teacher |
| Connect US | We partner with Connect US who is a recruiting agency that finds some of our teachers. This is a finder's fee paid by the school. | $2,750 | One time | Host School |
| Estimated Total: | $1,500-$6,000 | Varies | Teacher |
5. PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS
| PAYCHECK DEDUCTION | AMOUNT OF DEDUCTION EXPLAINED |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | The amount of your Federal tax will be calculated based on your annual gross salary. See all rates at irs.gov |
| Social Security and Medicaid Tax | J-1 Visitors who have not worked in the U.S. previously are exempt from social security and medicaid taxes for the first two years of employment. After that time, these will be deducted from your paycheck at a total rate of 7.65% (see more information at irs.gov) |
| State Income Tax | This amount varies by state. The 2023 income tax rate for the state of Indiana is 3.15% |
| County/Local Income Tax | This amount varies by city and county. The Indiana county income tax rate in 2021 ranged between just under 1% to just under 3%. |
| Union Dues | Union fees are usually between $75-$100/month. However, joining a union is not mandatory in Indiana. Check with your school district for specific information on fees. |
| Retirement Contribution | Indiana educators contribute 3% of their salary to a retirement plan. If you are required to participate, you can get this money returned to you when you leave employment. |
| Optional School Insurance | Your school may offer health insurance and many other insurance options. Health Insurance premiums vary widely and will be disclosed to you before final approval. This will usually be $100 or more per person per month. |
Click the link below to download a copy of our current fee schedule and refund policy.
You will need to budget for your travel to the US, which will vary greatly depending on your departing city and whether or not you are bringing your family.
Your Monthly Budget in the US
Some key points to keep in mind:
- The salary on an offer letter is a “gross” salary. Your “net” salary (the amount of your paycheck) will have some taxes and other deductions taken out.
- Deductions will include:
- federal, state and local (or county) taxes
- mandatory retirement fund contributions (you will usually be able to receive this back when you leave employment)
- insurance (if you elect insurance coverage through your school, can range from $100/ month per person or more depending on the type of coverage)
- union dues (average is $75-$100/ month- if you choose to join the union, which is optional in Indiana)
- J-1 teachers sponsored by Sagamore who arrived in 2024 received a starting salary between $41,000 and $76,000 annually. The average teacher salary for the 2024 cohort was $54,150.
- School districts may differ on how often they pay teachers. Although teachers may work less than 12 months a year (due to summer break), most districts spread the pay out over 12 months. Ask questions to make sure that you understand how the district pay periods work because this could impact your budget.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A teacher’s salary in the US may not cover all of your US living expenses. If you are bringing a family, your expenses will be even higher. If you want to be able to save money, send money home, or if you bring debt and other expenses with you, you will need to take measures that will reduce your US living expenses (for example, living with a roommate, sharing transportation, etc.).
How to use the tool below:
- Start by entering the annual salary amount.
- Enter the amount for each expense category (ranges are provided to help when you do not know an amount to use). We encourage you to use online tools to do your own research of living costs in the city where you have a job opportunity. Monthly costs will vary widely depending on your family size and living arrangements (having a roommate can help reduce expenses!).
- Use the “other” category to capture costs that you will have that are not included on any other line. If you have debts, include the monthly payment amount on this line.
THIS IS AN ESTIMATOR AND IS NOT INTENDED TO GIVE YOU PRECISE NUMBERS. The “monthly taxes and retirement fund” calculation assumes that you live in Indiana, that you have not been in the US before and are not paying certain payroll taxes. The estimated total for these categories is 25% of your gross pay.
Global Teach Exchange Monthly Budget ESTIMATE