Korean Job Discussion Forums

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

I was here years ago (2001) and I'm earning about the same as then. What is going on? Our pay should be at least 3.0 million won a month. This is awful!

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

supply demand

In protest of the low wages I think everyone should quit there jobs and go to China or Japan and stay there for at least a couple of years

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

I'm low on supply (financially) so I must demand Smile

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Did you negotiate for W3 million?

Are people without training in this specific field worth W3 million? (I'm not saying you are without training--I have no idea.) The vast majority here have no more than one month of education/training. Should they be paid $36,000 a year?

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

For what the HOG-WONS are raking in and others "institutes of higher(?) education"...yeah 36k is more than reasonable.

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

fustiancorduroy · Joined: 12 Jan 2007

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state

This is what teacher make in the US.

At 2.1 million a month, that is (2,100,000 divided by 1124 (exchange rate for 1/16/2010)) gives about $1,870 a month.

$1,870 times 13 (12 months plus severance/bonus/whatever your school calls it) is $24,310.

Housing is worth at least $500 a month -- in the US that would come out of gross pay, so I am INCLUDING it in gross pay in Korea -- adds $6,000.

Basically, a brand-new teacher in Korea, with no experience, and possibly no teaching degree/certifications/licenses starts at $30,310... which puts Korea ahead of 20 states, about on par with 5, and a bit behind the other 25....

Korea isn't really behind the times... you just over-estimate your worth. Assuming you HAVE the qualifications to work in the US as a teacher, getting 2.5 million a month here would be pretty easy. ($28,925 plus $6,000 is $34,925, jumping you ahead of 38 states.)

There are many other factors that contribute to overall satisfaction in life, but in terms of raw salary, it is a pretty good deal, even when you have an average deal. If you have a good deal, it is a great deal....

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

That doesn't really factor in the two month vacation (July and August) back home that a teacher would get.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Right...nor does it factor in the costs of keeping a license or certificate valid (college courses/testing fees/time in those "2 months off").

A school teacher in the US also works a lot more hours a week for the pay -- I taught high school English, and I spent about 50 hours a week working (for "only" ten months, as you pointed out). 50 hours a week would get you overtime almost anywhere you care to work here...in the US for a teacher, it is considered part of the job.

Thiuda · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:49 am Post subject:

Entry level job = entry level salary. Teachers who have worked here for some time, developed themselves professionally and networked have jobs that pay more.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Can you really compare teaching in Korea to the US? Sorry to say it, but teachers in the US make peanuts.

Do I have to spell out why the educational system in the US is so far behind?

My buddy spent 2yrs getting a M.Ed, and another 2 years supplying teaching before finally getting offered a full time contract.

He has to do a ton of bureaucratic crap, work long hours and he is making HALF of what he made in Korea before he left. (He was an F2 visa holder working a few jobs).

When I told him he would probably start around $45,000 after taxes at my school (international school) and that I have almost no bureaucratic crap to do, I could hear the anguish in is voice.

Looking at that index, I am guessing he is around $35,000 a year and he has to pay taxes on that. His wife works in a service industry job and makes more than him.

Pretty pathetic huh?

Murakano · Joined: 10 Sep 2009

recruiters lowballing newbies with offers of 2.0/2.1 and many accepting the first offer that comes along. Is it any wonder wages have stayed stagnant for years with people accepting 2.0/2.1?

It is quite easy to get 2.3 with zero experience if you push them and if you`re negotiating skills are half decent

I always tell people to not accept anything less than that (or at the very damn least 2.2 (minimum!) and if they stay patient they can get that no problem.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I agree, Mr. Pink... just trying to give some other folks some perspective.

Dude Ranch · Joined: 04 Nov 2008

I asked my mom, a teacher in Ontario, about the pay scale in Ontario.