Quito - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
I am able to telecommute easily. It is great to be on East Coast time! - Jul 2023
Lots of spouses work at the embassy. There aren't many great jobs but there are some. - Jul 2023
EFMs take jobs at the US Embassy (there are plenty of jobs that are low skill/low paying) or are educators and work at the international schools. - Jul 2019
Local employment can be difficult but people/companies seem to need English speakers so not impossible. Some spouses teach at the schools, work at the embassy and some telework. - Jul 2018
There are very few embassy jobs and most require Spanish, even if you don't technically need it for the position. Seems to be the usual WHA ruse. There are a few EFMs in rover slots, consular, one EPAP, and that's about it. Most spouses volunteer with Quito Cares, an organization benefiting different charities around town. Some people have home businesses. Not aware of anyone who works on the economy. - Mar 2017
Teachers in international schools but most hires are directly from the U.S. if they are expat hires. All schools are in need of substitute teachers and ESL volunteer teachers. Pay is low and the hoops you jump through to get paid are high. - Sep 2016
Not really. - Aug 2014
Opportunities were better for those who spoke Spanish. NGOs seemed to offer some decent jobs. - Jul 2012
Teaching English at private businesses is available, though I don't know how much it pays. - Jan 2011
Most local jobs have a lower pay scale, and Spanish fluency may be a prerequisite. There is a SNAP coordinator in Mexico City who comes to Quito 1-2 times a year to work with U.S. Mission spouses and assist in employment-related issues. Telecommuting is an option. - May 2010
Fewer and fewer, due to economic problems and policies put in place by the government that are increasingly hostile to the private sector. Development and tourism-type jobs are available, although salaries are low by international standards. - Jan 2009
