Korean Job Discussion Forums

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

What is really scary is that 6.2 is a very low figure. Some people make much more than that. If you own your own school or are doing some business in Korea then it is a really low number. It all depends....personally I think the OP doesn't see the whole picture.

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

poet13 · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

Hello. As one of the lower paid people here in Korea (net 1.9), i am curious how long it took for the higher paid people to earn their way up. I am quite happy to pay my dues, get a masters, TESOL, TEFL, whatever, but I dont want to wait ten years for the money. Please share!

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

poet13 · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:34 pm Post subject:

I have at least 30 contact hours a week. During the summer, its about 35 per week. my housing is included. Networking is very difficult as I am in a city with four or five other foreigners, and i dont get to other cities much. I have a family to support, so the expense of paying hotels and stuff elsewhere is a burden.
I will not work here illegally. No way. Risk reward isnt worth it to me.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Often these wages don't reflect the chaotic nature of Korea's English industry.

I am somewhere in the middle of low earner to very high. I earn about 4.2, but my costs are low. I am able to live the way I wish and still pack away about 3 million a month in savings.

I may earn 4.2 in a good month, but often it comes out to around 3.9 or 4.0 due to so many cancellations and other factors.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

What a blowass (op.)

I get sick of you single people landing the lucky jobs when others struggle like crazy with their families to make ends meet.
I hope you blow it all eventually on chicks and sports cars.
And, I hope you all run like hell, like all the others did in '97, when the next recession starts.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

It is very hard for people with families.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

That's why timing is oh so necessary when having a family.

I am glad that I am able to earn a decent living while my fiance doesn't need to work. Back at home, we are gonna have to be dual income, or starve.

Intrepid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: Yongin

You asked for it, so here goes:
--Move to Seoul. Let's face it, the money is here.
--Look professional (not that you don't--but many people don't).
--Start teaching at a good hagwon. SAT/TOEFL/SSAT is a good idea--Chungdahm seems to pay a lot. Teaching writing is high pay anywhere. Show any of those schools a high GRE verbal score and you're in.
--Get that MA, from UBirmingham or wherever, distance learning is accepted in Korea.
--Get a uni job.
--Get another uni job (since they will allow it, and often have you for just 12 hours a week).
--do summer/winter programs at foreign language high schools (might need a visa add-on but that's not hard).
=big bucks soon.

Jasobang · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Bucheon

Wow.....First-timers luck I guess.

Been a little busy this past weekend, sorry for not elaborating.......no, not from all my privates....more of the family orientated stuff, so yes I'm one of those F-something or other visa types. And yes with a few connections.

But, I'm really not the bragging type...must be those humble Canadian roots. I just threw some numbers together that I thought could fly and it was off to the races. Money does bring the worst out of us all.

Gotta say though, raising a family in Korea hits the pocket book pretty hard. I'd say I make more than average but at the end of the month what's remaining definitely isn't something to brag about.

Like I said, feeling a little bored on a Friday afternoon before T-program classes. Also, just read 'lowest paid' thread and thought it was the next logical step.

own_king · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Location: here

I think what some people are missing here is quality of life rather than quantity of life. Follow Intrepid's advice and you'll burn out in two months. I'm one of the people who really likes Korea, although you wouldn't know it sometimes by some of my posts lol (it's far from perfect, but what place isn't). I also a know a few others who hate it. And I've found that the people who like it most are the ones who find a good balance of work and leisure. Some people work themselves to death, which will get you down on Korea quick.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout