Korean Job Discussion Forums

victrolavs · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Location: Toronto

The job I start working at this summer is paying me $38 million won a year. At home, this would be a pretty average salary. Because the school pays for my apartment, I figure I'll save a bit of money...or maybe even a lot? Is 38 million a year considered average or high in Korea?

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

You will starve. I make that per day.

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

Well, it's 3 mil a month which is very good (depending on what the job is). But you'd know this if you had a look at the job board here.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

poet13 · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject:

more than 5 million dollars US is a lot of money.
38 million is the upper range of most teaching positions here....doesn't make it a lot though. I don't make that much.

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

three-fity.

Lostone7 · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: SE Asia

My bar tab at the end of the night after my friends disappear Shocked

VanIslander · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject:

working a job where one has all apartment related expenses paid, car related expenses paid, eating out in restaurants several times a week expenses paid, clothes paid, entertainment and grocery shopping expenses paid, a weekend trip a month including motel paid, and STILL having over a thousand dollars u.s. kicking around at the end of the month

that's quite a bit of money

not a ton, maybe not a lot, but it sure seems like one gets paid a lot when the cash piles up month after month without even trying, in fact, where one has to make a conscious inquiry "What AM I going to do with all this money?" Spend a winter in New Zealand, go to Japan a half dozen times, go get a CELTA, buy a car, save up to buy one's own place, these have all been things I've done while teaching English in Korea. So do I make a lot of money? It sure seems like it to me! That's all that matters. Someone else makes more than three million won a year legally, good on ya. I ain't greedy or jealous. I'm doing just fine. Thanks.

(I think I'd need to make $80,000 a year back home to have my pay stretch so far. is that a lot? It isn't a little.)

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

It's definitely upper range for Korea. And yes, you should be able to save a lot. But, and for your sake I hope I am wrong, I bet they will make you earn every last won of it. If not through the amount of actual teaching they require, then the stress they will put you through. I jumped at 2.7K a month to teach at a hogwon, but am regretting it. I wish I had stayed at the public school where I was making 2.2K!

Although I do know of one lucky guy making that teaching company workers and he has a dream job. So it could happen.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

PS jobs or Private schools with good after school pay make this...some make even more.

If your at a hagwon making this, prepare to work your ass off with possible split shifts...

You may or may not save money.... I noticed, that in seoul on over 3.1 I was saving a decent amount, but if I went out every night full blast with a new girl every few days like some people I know, I could probaly easily kill most of my savings on dates, expensive clubs, western alcohol, etc.

poet13 · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

The public school gig is good if you level up. I'm going to be a 1+ in the fall. That's 2.7 base. I get 100k for my extra school, and another 100k for travel, of which I spend 36. I am also taking the 400k living allowance this year and just giving 40 million key money. I'll make 10% on that key money with the 400k. So I guess I'll gross 3.3, but only net about 2.9. That's ok I think.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008