Korean Job Discussion Forums

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

At a crapwon, a teacher with no experience and without a degree related to education can expect to be paid the same as a remarkably qualified teacher. Most crapwons will provide around a 100 thousand won salary differential, as do most crap university programs, to those with better degrees and more experience.

The thing is, hakwons don't expect qualified, experienced, and talented teachers to stay, so there is no incentive build into the system. They favor the odd teacher that can pack the big classroom, and when their popularity goes sour, they're out the door. Simple, cut-throat business.

Suwon23 · Joined: 24 Jan 2008

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

I started out at 2.1. I've known people who have started out at 2.2 and one guy who got 2.3. Sometimes I'll see job postings where you supposedly make 3.0 starting out. That sounds mighty fishy, and if you do end up making that, you'll probably be working your a$$ off.

Slaps · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Location: Sitting on top of the world

Freakstar · Joined: 29 Jun 2007

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Ask for at least 2.3. There is going to be a teacher shortage soon and odds are in your favor. Dont go for less than that. Due to all that immigration crap we deserve more. I am flat out asking for 2.5 next october. Take it or leave it to any school. This is my 4th year here and I have been too kind.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

As a fresh out of college newbie, I'm making 2.6, and that includes my 3 hour a week after school classes (but those are really chill and I love my kids). I'm at a public school, by the way.

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

Also with CDI there's franchise schools and schools owned by the company. The non-franchise ones pay significantly more. I knew someone get a job at a franchise one for 2.5 with only two months of experience when they first started franchising them out.

Nexus11 · Joined: 29 Nov 2006

The teacher shortage doesn't seem to be affecting salaries so far, but it hopefully will soon.

Still, you can easily get 2.2 as a newbie. I got 2.3. The people signing for 1.9 and 2.0 piss me off. They are the reasons that it takes a while to find a decent paying job. So many hagwons know that if THEY are patient, they can find a no-research moron to underpay.

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

My career has progressed like this in Korea:

First year: 1.8 million per month.
2nd year: 2.0 million per month.

During my 2nd year I took a CELTA Course

2 years and 6 months: 2.8 million per month.
3rd year: 3.5 million a month.

And finally now I am earning about 4 million a month on average (that doesn't include bonuses, severance, etc). If you can get into different forms of teaching legally, you will be able to earn real cash. I work my butt off to earn a decent salary though (teaching, managing schedules, examining, ESP, etc).

If you have the determination and want to get far in this country, work hard!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I agree. Here's my progression:

1993 Hakwon 1.0 million plus free housing (and, granted, the exchange rate was much more favorable than it is now).

1995 Hakwon 1.6 million + 2 bonuses plus free housing (the place went belly up before my contract finished, but it was light sailing and good digs for 9 months at least). I did get paid at least, and I didn't plan on being there long term anyway. So it went...

1996-1998 Grad school + nights at a hakwon teaching content classes on commission. Averaged about 2.5 a month for 4 hours a night. Plus worked in a government office on an internship.

1999 First university job. 2.5 month plus free housing. 3 day a week/15 hour sched. Fully paid vacations.

2000 Moved back to the US to do my doctorate

2003 One year contract at small university in Seoul. 2.6 plus free housing. Fully paid vacations.

2004-2007 Three year visitorship - end salary with Ph.D. 3.7 plus subsidized housing (which we didn't take).

2007-Present Tenure track job - 5 million a month for 6 hours/week sched. No housing, but get grants and perks. Annual salary increases.

Next job......will let you know if and when that pans out.

Once I got the F visa and finished my degree, consulting and 'outside work' picked up to a nice degree. Some months are better than others, but it's a living.

Flash Ipanema · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul

PokerZero · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: theultimatetrek.com/forum

I'm job hunting at the moment having done a year in a pretty good Hagwon. I would say that even with no experience you shouldn't take less than 2.2 and if you have all your documents and are ready to go ASAP then you should get 2.4 without too much trouble - it seems that plenty of places have left it too late to wait for people to get CRB's and apostiles.