Korean Job Discussion Forums

GRK · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

In the present situation, what is a reasonable (average)wage to ask for in a Hogwon/University, for a qualified and experienced teacher. Has anyone been able to negotiate better deals than for the past year? Thanks.

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Hagwons seem to pay from 1.8-2.0 million. Universities seem to pay from 2.0 million to 2.4 million. If you have experience and a TEFL certificate of some kind, you will probably be on the high end of the wage scale.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I think Hagwons are more like 1.8 to 2.3 or so these days, in most cases.

I got 2.2 in my first year this year, although I think it might be tough to get that in my next situation because I want to teach adults.

GRK · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Thanks for the responses. I gather wages for adults and kids differ.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I think most first-year teaching of adults brings about 1.7 to 2.0 on average. I don't know why, but I assume more people coming here want to teach adults than children.

If you are someone interested more in socializing than making money, then adults is the only way to go. I've had a more difficult time making friends because teaching the kids at the ages I've been teaching (8 to 13) has made socializing difficult. That is, because I work evenings from 4 to 10pm.

Just an opinion.

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Icons, you really are searching to redeem yourself for my other responses to your posts in other subjects, aren't you?

As far as wages, does the word "average" mean anything to you? I've seen them as low as 1.3 for working at a "Christian" school. The post is up there right now, actually. My figures are dead on.

Also, during the week, if you leave work at 10pm and take the subway to hang out with friends, you'll end up having to take a taxi back home if you plan to stay any length of time. That gets a little expensive, eh (sorry for the Canadian "eh" there)? Not all of us live right by a University or by our friends. Many of my friends live near Kangnam and Hongdae -- nowhere near me.

I don't like paying 10,000 to 20,000 won for a cab ride every evening.

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

This is the way I look at it.

1.8 is low, but if you are working only 12-15 hours a week for a University, it is pretty good. Many do pay that much.

2.0 is more the mid level, but still nothing to shake a stick at.

2.2 or above you have a better than average wage.

I know some schools pay much more in the high 2s which I think is great and wish I had that much a month.

Don't work for below 1.8 unless they are giving you extra money for housing or something. Such as 1.6 but you get 300,000 in housing money a month if you don't take their housing. And if you don't like to drink foreign beers or other such drinks, you should be able to save a lot.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

(Shhhh..... I think he's coming on to me!)

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

All depends on the contact hours. 2.2...low, if you ask me, for 18-20 hours!

Here's my salary history:

1999: First university job. 15 hour/3 days a week sched. 2.5 plus housing (32 pyung for the better half and I..very old...not very pretty). Had MA in hand and had paid my dues at hakwons for a couple of years.

2003: Second job. 16 hours/4 day sched-eventually taylored down to 3 days. 2.5 plus housing (28 pyung...slotted for demolition). Had MA in hand and Ph.D. coursework done.

Now: Third job. 10 hour/2 days a week sched. 3.6 million/no housing. Done with university housing. Has always been old and has always sucked. Ph.D in hand.

Next job: At least 4 million for 9 contact hours. Will proabably have to leave the Eng. Dept. to get it. So long...we'll miss ya...sniff.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004