As for Qingdao, it's too popular among western jobseekers
Can't see the appeal myself. Apart from some old german architecture, nice beer, and friendly locals, I found it chaotic and polluted and expensive in the peak tourist season. Even "ru jia" home inn hotel chain up their prices, even more than Guangdong. I certainly can't see wealthy southerners paying hand over fist, guangdongers tend to stick to what they know. How do I know? I only lived there for a long time and speak the language.....
You haven't answered that poster's question.
But I'll have a try. I reckon recruiters are charging colleges 20% of an FT's empoloyment package.
As for Qingdao, it's too popular among western jobseekers. So Chinese employers are in a position to offer mediocre salaries. Another reason to avoid teaching in Qingdao is that it's an expensive city with too many rich South Koreans, and wealthy Chinese incomers from the south of China.
Try the less fashionable provinces amnong western FTs, such as Shanxi, Henan, Hunan, Hubei and Guangxi.