The jobs that are the most in-demand for expats in Ecuador

Ecuador, while it has high employment also has high underemployment. So while many have jobs, there are insufficient job opportunities for more than low level labor and menial jobs.

The Ecuadorian people therefore are given preference for job opportunities.

In addition while the most popular expat job is teaching English, a brief review of this forum will bring up the dark side of that career. Too many examples of unpaid work, unfulfilled expectations, and broken contracts sans remuneration.

Entrepreneurial jobs, which create employment opportunities for Ecuadorians are an option, however labor laws can be confusing and costly.

Export of Ecuadorian items, produce, etc. is an option but requires investment, product knowledge, and handling the legalities involved with shipping, insurance, and foreign taxation.

Jobs in the tourism sector, service, food and lodging also appears popular. Many businesses in tourist areas are owned, managed and/or run with expat staff with use of their native language along with Spanish to better serve clientele. These jobs tend to be seasonal, pay poorly, and do not provide adequate proof of employment for visa purposes.

What many expats choose is to work online, telecommuting. Jobs in online research and writing, teaching ESL, computer tech software, and freelance work in writing, graphics, and data mining, are popular options.

Susan

I have spent time in Cuenca, and agree with your assessment of the employment situation in Ecuador.  I think that if you have certification from your state in the USA you could likely be hire as an elementary school teacher, but again the pay will be minimal in comparison, but of course cost of living is also  a whole lot lower.

Hello,

     Francesco here!  I will be retiring to Quito soon and seeing your opinion.  My background has been in education as a teacher and administrator of schools.  I have an M.Ed. in school administration and am also

bilingual.  Interested in teaching at the university level in Quito.  Your recommendation!  Thanks!

The level of pay is unlikely to interest you, and it will not be worth your time. Furthermore, it will not likely be appropriate to displace an opportunity for an Ecuadorian to have that employment (in the unlikely event that anyone would even consider offering it to you). 

Expats who want to work in Ecuador need to figure out how to employ themselves, either by providing a service to other expats, operating a business that provides a general service to all, possibly creating local jobs, or working online, doing something that they could be doing anywhere. We are not going to get a local Ecuadorian job—those jobs are needed for Ecuadorians.

@Dave Reid

wow. Great post.

I thought about this for a while myself. Because I would be coming to Ecuador because I cannot survive in the United States on my disability. But I would be coming into a chunk of money from my inheritance and I thought how could I use that to help a community?because I want to go to Ecuador to live a peaceful and simple life. It’s probably the only place in the world where I could afford to be close to the ocean and well I’ve seen apartment units and medium sized motels for sale for the price that I would pay for a house here when I got that inheritance and…

I realized that I could provide very affordable housing with land that would allow people to move in and have their own business on their own plot of land, and I wouldn’t need to make some huge profit. I would already have the minimal amount of money that I needed to survive. What I liked about checking into Ecuador was the sense of community that, I get from reading. 

And, I love my parents, but when they pass, I will be putting the money to good use to help others.

I feel I should be giving back to a place that would be giving so much to my soul   

Wonderful sentiment