Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

The average annual salary of Korean wage earners rose 6.9 percent year-on-year to a pre-tax 31 million won (US$29,853) in 2003, tax authorities said yesterday.

A total of 6.25 million salaried workers paid an average 1.22 million won in income tax, up 8.9 percent from 1.12 million in 2002, the National Tax Service said. The top 10 percent of salaried workers earned an average salary of 72 million won per year and paid an average 6.92 million won in income tax. The lowest 10 percent received an average 11 million won and paid an average 16,000 won in income tax, the office said.
Korea Herald (January 5, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/01/05/200501050018.asp

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Hmm. read in paper average Korean makes about 12 grand a year.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Wow that's exactly the average annual salary of a hagwon teacher for a part time job. What lucky people we are. Thanks RR for confirming it.

Wohan · Joined: 02 Jan 2005

The terms average "salaried employee" and average "Korean" are defined by two different sets of people.

A quick search of the internet put the estimated South Korean labor force in 2004 at approximately 23 million.

The 12k figure probably reflects the per capita income of South Korea.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

GDP per head in Korea is 17,800 USD per year on PPP (purchasing power parity) basis.

By way of comparison, in US the same figure is 37,800 and the UK and Ireland 27,700 and 29,600 respectively.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Does the avarage Korean worker get 12-16 weeks of paid vacation a year? I do and I made 37 million.

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

I'm a bit more interested in the median salary in Korea than the average.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:35 pm Post subject:

Counting my apartment as part of my pay, which it is, Im in the mid 40s. So not too bad.

Sonja · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: korea

Interesting numbers. I will quit my job and take that kindy position I've been dreaming about...

... NOT!!!

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 5:38 am Post subject:

Sonja · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: korea

Your not qualified for that kindy position

It's You're (not your) not qualified.

ahem ahem...

diablo3 · Joined: 11 Sep 2004

Who earns above 31 million won here?

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:09 am Post subject:

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan