Job Discussion Forums

[UWhusky]

I understand the typical salary in Korea is about 2 million won per month. Most job postings mention overtime pay at about 20,000 won per hour.

I am wondering how much I could actually expect to earn. How much overtime do people work? How much time do people spend doing privates? What is the hourly rate for privates?

Also, how do get privates? Or do they just find you?

[tedkarma]

This is a good newbie question - and being it takes some time to get on the Korea boards - AND - we all have ot make decisions about which country to to go . . .

I recently spent thee years in Korea for a total of six years since 1992.

In my experience (the great qualifier!), most people work little or no overtime. So you can count on your basic wage as what you will earn (minus about 9% for taxes etc). Remember that "contact hours" in your contract don't include preparation time and other possible duties. You will be busy - but not overworked.

Privates: A great controversy. And usually an emotional one for some reason. I reguarly worked private classes during both my stints in Korea - with the exception of my last year there. Now, people will start SHOUTING that they are illegal and why do you break the law . . . Okay.

Privates are illegal and you break the law when you do them.

My experience (again, the great qualifier!), is that they come to you. Sometimes even your school will get them for you. I do have to say that my experience was at a college and a university (so I DID earn some overtime) - so may differ from the experience of others.

I NEVER told anyone that I did them. Even when people asked directly - I denied it. My experience was that people who talked too much - were the people who had problems with it.

How much? From as little as US$400 a month - to more than my monthly salary (in 93-94).

But the environment for them has changed - the rules are enforced more now - and I really can't encourage you to do something illegal that could get you jailed, fined, deported - and unemployed.

[Rin]

How much can you save?

Depends on how much you drink.

[ls650]

[movinaround]

I'm making 2.2 million with some coming off for pension (come back to this later), taxes, lunches at my school (1700 won per lunch) and health care (which came in handy last week). I average about 2.05 million a month then.
I easily (and I mean easily) save minimum of 500000 won a month, though 3/4 of the time more than 1000000. I don't drink, but I study 3 languages and go to the gym, so that would probably equal the same amount as "normal" social drinking.

Also, the pension, if you are Canadian or American (I heard British now too, but I can't back that up), you can get all your pension back when you leave. Nice thing is your employer by law had to contribute the same you did (4.5%) so you actually get double what you put in when you leave Korea.

I agree privates are a hot topic (I can't tell you why though), but easy enough to get. I don't do them (really!), I think free time is more important. And overtime is case by case, though most people don't (well, atleast paid overtime).

[saint57]

Hi itchyitchy,

I'm a recent university grad from Canada. I really want to teach abroad. I've heard Korea is the best place for making money? Is 1,600,000 a good salary to start at? Can you really hook me up with a school that provides airfare and a FREE studio apartment? I'm really getting excited, but I need to start soon. Can you get back to me as quickly as possible about this tremendous opportunity?

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

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