You’ve likely already fallen in love with South Korea’s culture: the Korean BBQ, the K-Pop craze, the learner-friendly language, and the proximity to some fan-favorite Asia travel destinations. On top of having a world-class international travel experience, English teachers in South Korea can also put some money in the bank for further travel, student loans, or continuing education (just to name a few examples).
Note: Before we go any further, just know that the currency in South Korea is called the "Won" (KRW).
English Teacher in Korea Salary: How Much Can You Make Teaching in Korea?
English teachers in South Korea earn a standard gross monthly base salary between $1,500 and $2,500 USD (₩2,100,000 to ₩3,000,000 KRW), depending on academic credentials, TEFL certification, and school type. Because employers provide rent-free furnished studio apartments and flight assistance, foreign instructors typically maintain modest monthly living expenses ($650 – $1,200 USD) and save between $500 and $1,000+ USD each month.
English Teacher Salary & Benefits in South Korea at a Glance
| Employment Sector | Monthly Base Salary | Housing & Core Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools (EPIK) | $1,500 – $2,000 USD / mo (₩2.1M – ₩2.7M KRW) |
Rent-free furnished studio; ₩1.8M entrance allowance; 18–26 paid vacation days; statutory severance pay. |
| Private Academies (Hagwons) | $1,500 – $2,100+ USD / mo (₩2.1M – ₩2.8M+ KRW) |
Rent-free furnished studio (or ₩400K–₩500K stipend); flight reimbursement; 10–15 paid vacation days; statutory severance pay. |
| University Positions | $1,700 – $2,600+ USD / mo (₩2.3M – ₩3.5M+ KRW) |
Subsidized campus housing; 8–10 weeks paid vacation; low contact teaching hours (~12–16 hrs/wk). Requires MA or extensive experience. |
| Cost of Living & Expenses | $650 – $1,200 USD / mo (₩900K – ₩1.6M KRW) |
Covers utilities, internet, mobile phone plan, dining out, groceries, and public transit. |
| Monthly Savings Potential | $500 – $1,000+ USD / mo | Savings vary by salary band, tax deductions, and personal lifestyle; many teachers comfortably save $1,000 or more each month. |
Figures reflect market averages for foreign ESL educators on sponsored E-2 visas across South Korea.
Exactly how much money you can make will depend on a few factors, like your background experience, the type of job/employer you have, and where you are geographically located in the country.
What are the Benefits of Teaching English in South Korea?
Although base salaries in South Korea may look modest at first glance, employers cover your largest monthly living cost: housing. With rent-free accommodations, flight assistance, and everyday living costs ($650 – $1,200 USD/month) remaining lower than in major Western cities, foreign instructors find it easy to save a substantial portion of their paycheck each month.
Additionally, when evaluating teaching English in South Korea and salary, it's important to differentiate whether you teach for a public school or a private language academy.
Read more: Korea is one of the top 5 countries to make the most money teaching English
EPIK Salary Levels & EPIK Benefits
Salaries for English teachers in Korea who work at public schools through the official EPIK program are determined by an established government pay matrix. This scale places teachers into specific pay bands based on academic credentials, TEFL certification, and full-time classroom experience.
Public school teachers earn between ₩2,100,000 and ₩2,700,000 KRW ($1,500 – $2,000 USD) per month. Rent-free furnished housing is provided, alongside a structured entrance flight allowance (typically ₩1.8M KRW) and exit allowance, bringing out-of-pocket startup costs down substantially. Public school teachers also receive 18 to 26 business days of paid vacation per contract year.
Hagwon Salary & Benefits
The salary of an English teacher in South Korea who works at private language academies, called Hagwons, typically ranges between ₩2,100,000 and ₩2,800,000+ KRW ($1,500 to $2,100+ USD) per month for first-time teachers.
Hagwons represent the largest sector of English teaching in Korea and recruit year-round on rolling monthly cycles. Because private schools set their own compensation scales, there is greater room for negotiation based on credentials, interview rapport, and schedule alignment. Housing is provided rent-free (or subsidized via a ₩400K–₩500K monthly stipend), inbound flights are reimbursed upon arrival, and teachers receive 10 to 15 business days of paid vacation.
University-Level Teaching Job Salary & Benefits
University positions in South Korea are highly coveted and represent a senior career tier. While less common than public schools or hagwons, qualified candidates with patience and strong academic credentials can secure positions with enviable schedules and lifestyle perks.
With low contact teaching hours (frequently 12 to 16 hours per week), 8 to 10 weeks of paid vacation, and substantial autonomy, university appointments offer monthly salaries from ₩2,300,000 up to ₩3,500,000+ KRW ($1,700 – $2,600+ USD). Campus accommodations and flight allowances are also standard. Candidates typically need a Master’s degree (in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or Education) plus prior college-level teaching experience.
Additional Benefits, Perks & Severance for Teaching English in Korea
At the end of the day, English teachers in South Korea live a very comfortable lifestyle. If student loan debt, credit card balances, or other financial priorities are holding you back, teaching abroad while putting away substantial monthly savings is an ideal solution.
- Rent-Free Housing: Provided rent-free by your employer, eliminating an item that consumes 30% to 40% of most people’s monthly earnings back home. You are responsible only for your personal utilities and building maintenance fees.
- Modest Cost of Living: Groceries, dining out, utilities, mobile phone plans, and clean public transit typically cost between $650 and $1,200 USD per month.
- Statutory Severance Pay: Under South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor, any employee completing a qualifying 12-month contract is legally entitled to statutory severance pay equivalent to approximately one full month of salary.
- National Pension Refund: Foreign teachers contribute 4.5% of gross earnings to the National Pension Service (NPS), matched by their employer (9% total). Citizens of countries with bilateral social security treaties (including the US and Canada) can claim a lump-sum refund of all contributions upon departure, commonly returning $1,800 to $2,500+ USD.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance: Shared 50/50 with your employer, granting affordable, high-quality medical and dental coverage nationwide.
- Reliable Savings: With base salaries of $1,500 to $2,500 USD and low day-to-day overhead, teachers consistently save $500 to $1,000 or more per month, varying by lifestyle and travel habits.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Teacher Salaries in Korea
Do English teachers pay taxes in South Korea?
Yes. Foreign instructors on E-2 visas are subject to South Korean income taxes and local residence taxes. For standard teaching salary brackets, income tax rates are modest (typically 3% to 5% of gross pay). Total payroll deductions—including income tax, residence tax, national pension, and health insurance—generally total around 10% to 12% of gross monthly earnings.
Can I negotiate my salary at a Korean Hagwon?
Yes. While public school programs follow fixed government pay tables, private hagwons have greater flexibility. Teachers with an accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate, classroom teaching experience, or demonstrable curriculum strengths are in a strong position to negotiate higher starting salaries or additional vacation days during the interview process.
Are private tutoring gigs permitted to earn extra money?
No. Under Korean Immigration regulations, an E-2 work visa is tied exclusively to your registered sponsoring employer. Conducting unauthorized one-on-one private tutoring or moonlighting outside your contract is illegal and subject to severe penalties, including fines and visa cancellation.
Watch ITA Graduate Claire Hughes Talk about her Salary as an English Teacher in Korea
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