Korean Job Discussion Forums

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

I'm finding more and more postings for jobs offering 2.0 million won a month.

Wasn't that the average starting salary 5 years ago?!!!

romano812 · Joined: 09 Dec 2008

Times are tough all over the world. 2 million Won per month? You're better off working at Burger King or White Castle and living in your parents' basement/ garage.

zipper · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject:

More teachers less pay.

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

They're responding to the surplus of applicants. They can get away with a low salary because someone will take it thinking it's more prestigious than working at a fast-food store or behind the counter of a pharmacy. Newer teachers need to refuse to accept low salaries and this could potentially raise everyone's salary. I'm definitely planning on holding out for a large raise when/if I go for a new contract.

jennzy · Joined: 12 Jan 2009

ill be getting paid 1.8 mill Sad

its because they can get away with paying less now that more and more people are heading over to korea to teach.

i'm personally going there because i want to become a teacher. a lot of ppl i know go there because they didnt know what to do after university or couldn't get hired.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

this is going to be bad if and when inflation kicks in. Based on the toilet economy we are in I predict a higher level of ESL teacher positions being saturated next year. This would obviously mean even lower salaries. 1.8m might even become the standard pay.

EPIK right now gives out 2.1 to the lowest level. I suspect this will go down next year.

The recession has really changed the way I look at my job. Before I was reckless and waiting on opportunities to do illegal work for more pay but then I realized that if caught I risk having to go home where there are no jobs. It's either that or Japan, but finding a hagwon/juku to work in Japan is difficult.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

What public schools seem to have done is the make it a lot more difficult to get the higher pay ranges.

In all honesty, with the way many public schools have gone, I'd recommend some hagwons over them. Public schools have more hours with the same, or less pay if you're a new teacher with no experience.

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

romano812 · Joined: 09 Dec 2008

Burger King was a joke. All I mean is the economy is terrible all over the world, and Korea is no exception. Also, you have to consider other things you are giving up when you cme to Korea, such as family, friends, and hobbies. At one time this could be justified because of the money, but not anymore.
However, this is probably good for Korean employers because now people coming over are doing so to experience Korea and Korean life, not make money.
Just my thoughts.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:41 am Post subject:

Ok..better comparison then

ESL in Korea vs ESL in Canada

Lets set these basic conditions for the comparison so we are working with true comparables.

1- The worker/teacher has a B.A. with no teaching experience. His B.A. is in Education (just to give him a chance at an ESL job in Canada).

2- Lets put the job in a major city.

3- Lets consider that as an adult you want to live on your own.

Ok..lets go

ESL Canada, (Toronto/Vancouver)

Your income will hover around 15-20 bucks per hour (20 if lucky). You will work an average week of 30 hours if lucky. Most likely irregular hours.

That works out to (based on an optimistic 18$/hour and an optimistic 30 hours) 1080$ oer two weeks before taxes. At such a low salary you will pay about 23% income tax leaving you 831$ per check.

So your monthly pay is 1663$.

Now the expenses that differ from Korea:

Housing (rented and shared in those major cities): 400$/month

Utilities will run you about 200$/month.

Transportation if you do not own a car will be comparable to Korea if you purchase a monthly public transit pass so no need to factor those in.

Food costs will be similar as some things will be cheaper and others more expensice...biggest difference, you will eat at home...very few restaurants outings you can afford....

Insurance: in Canada medical is taken care of by the public system but not in the US so factor that in for Americans.

If you want to own a car....well never mind on that budget.

So that leaves you with not much once food and living expenses are paid for....I would say you are left with near zero or maybe clear a 100$ a month...if your hours stay at 30 per week....

ESL Korea (Seoul/Busan)

Your income will hover around 2 million won (roughly 2200 canadian dollars now) for an average week of 35 hours (or 35 40 minute classes in some schools) that works out to 14 285 Won per hour or roughly 15-16 bucks per hour.

BUT...you pay no rent and your utilities will run you about 130 000 Won per month (150$).

After deductions for pension and medical along with taxes your take home pay for a month will be around 1.6 (roughly 1800$).

You can live ok in Korea on 1.0 per month since you have no rent to worry about. This leaves you with roughly 600 000 Won of disposable income or about 800$.

You win already.

Then consider the killer...a person with student loans or debt...back in Canada with the ESL salary he is in the red each month....

In Korea he has a shot to make payments and break even or perhaps still save 100-200$/month.

Many people save a lot more than that in Korea.