Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stalinsdad]

I've have been in Korea for a little over 2 years now and the pay across the board has not gone up. This is very perplexing as a British citizen, the Euro and the pound has gained over 20% in the last year against the $, in effect I have had a pay cut. The Won is tied into the dollar and seems to plummet daily. The average wage in the UK is now around 400 pounds per week=3.5 million won per month. Admittedly the cost of living is higher but then again there are other benefits to outweigh that. If Korea and other nations hope to recruit and retain good teachers and lecturers they must pay more. Some may say that Korea and directors are under pressure economically and in competiveness but the reality is that when Korea is strapped for cash the parents push their children even more. I hope the deficit will be made up in due course.
Thanks

[wylde]

i'll take 10 mil a month

[maxxx_power]

Even for Americans 2 million won/month isn't worth a shit hogwan job. I could go home and make/save more money which is what I will do when my contract is up.

A lack of part time work is starting to really piss me off, this weekend the hunt is on for a side job. $400 week is peanuts for someone working overseas, away from their home country, friends, and family.

I'm beginning to think that it's really only worth it for those countries with low valued currencies like NZ, Aus, and maybe Canada but I doubt it (excluding Eurozone people and Americans, even though the Won is tied to the dollar it still isn't much).

But yeah, you Euro people are really getting fucked with the strong currency at this point. Look on the bright side, you may be able to put some cash away in a US dollar account and profit when the cycle reverses. The Euro used to be like 80 cents, it may be again.

I sold some Aussie stock I had last month, due to the rising Aussie dollar against the greenback I ended up making a tidy profit (20% of which was directly due to the changes in the exchange rate). I think Indonesia has potential now but it's so unstable who knows what will happen, but it is the 4th or 5th most populous country in the world, things are bound to improve (they even have huge oil reserves).

Stash your won until the rate improves, hopefully the credit mess won't destroy the Korean economy before you can get your money out.

[Mr. Pink]

2mil a month with housing?

And how much tax/deductions do you pay? Like 5%?

Thing is back in Canada, rent would be HUGE...like $1000 a month easy.

Then taxes would be 30-40% instead of 5-7%. So Instead of getting taxed say 50-100k per 2mil paycheck, now I am taxed 500-700k per paycheck.

I think the amount of money is pretty low when thinking it straight US dollars. But when thinking of TAKE HOME pay versus TAKE HOME pay in my home country, I would have to make 30-40% MORE in Canada than here. If I include the extreme cost of housing than more like 50-60% more.

If you think in terms of NET TAKE HOME PAY, you guys are doing OK.

Now for the OP who likes to whine, 7yrs ago the basic pay was around 1.1-1.2 mil. A year before it was around 900,000 a month. I sure am glad the salaries are now around 2-2.5mil/mth instead of in the 1mil area.

If you guys stop coming to Korea like during IMF times, then us guys who stick it out will get a raise. Whoops told you my secret plan...to wait until YOU leave driving up the salaries.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[SuperHero]

Exactly what Mr. Pink said. When I came in '97 I was gettting 1.05 mil per month for 30 hours. Now I get 2.3 mil for 12 hours a week.

No rent
transportation is cheap
entertainment is cheap
taxes are low.

What are you complaining about.

[dogbert]

The Korean won is not tied to the United States dollar.

[ulsanchris]

I"m not doubting you here dogbert, but why does it seem the won is going down with the dollar. Granted i don't follow the won - US dollar exchange rate but it seems it doesn't vary very much.

[dogbert]

[Ilsanman]

I am satisfied with my pay and how much it gets me in Korea. Honestly, i would actually have to make an effort to spend all of what I earn.

I'm in my 1st year and I expect to earn 2.1-2.2 next year. There's my payraise.

If your actually salary amount is the most important thing, go teach in Japan. You can tutor legally there.

[ulsanchris]

forgive my ignorance, so it what you are saying is that the won while not linked to the japanese yen, it still closely follows it.

[dogbert]

[Austin]

This is not a group negotiation. No individual is stopping you from attempting to get the most from your ability.

It is not like every foreigner is getting paid the same or is doing the same quality of work, so why would you expect some universal pay increase?

Sorry, but the last time I checked, no guns were pointed at our heads to sign a contract that we were not comfortable with signing.

Am I missing something?

[saharzie]

Austin is right..anyway, many teachers are completley unskilled and are lucky to be getting the wage they get. The last time I looked babysitters in the west were not getting free accomodation and 1600$ a month. Also if you are complaining about wages go and do privates..doubling your income takes care of curreny fluctuations..

[hellofaniceguy]

If I have said it before, I'll say it again; no one forces anyone to go to korea and work for cheap wages. All of you signed the contract, flew over to korea, etc. Most have college degrees and so should be educated. So tell me then, why would you sign a contract for 1.8-2.0? It don't make sense. Now, some of you are happy with your salary; free housing, airfare, etc. that's fine and dandy. I suppose you could not do better in your home county which is one of the reasons you came to korea. Yeah yeah, some say "I want to experience the culture, etc." Go ahead and flame me. But the fact remains; I believe that 80-90% of the teachers would not be teaching in korea if they were getting good salaries back home. Or even if the job market was good. I am not siding with the pros or the cons on this issue. Both have valid points. Salaries won't go up until teachers stop signing bad contracts. Most teachers in korea are getting shafted. And many teachers have a great gig going for themself and they don't want to blow it. You need to get the best contract for yourself and don't worry about what the other person is getting. Network. Make friends. Make connections, pay your dues and the doors will open to a better job. Hokwons are not the way to go. Most hokwon owners are the cesspool of korea. Sort of like used car salesmen in North America. Once they get their money it's time to sell the business.
A few are decent however. I have not met one yet though. Have you? My point is, do your thing and make your contract time the best it can be. And if you don't like it, move on. Complaining won't make it in korea. It would if EVERYONE did it. Complain in a positive way and show the owner why you should be getting "X" amount of money vs the going rate.