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PolishZeus
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
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 Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:26 pm Post subject: Salary in Daegu |
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Quick question (hopefully):
I have heard that the cost of living is cheaper in Daegu compared to Seoul (which isn't surprising since Seoul is the largest city....).
However, a possible employer is offering me 2.0 mil won as a salary.
I have a lot of background with kids (Kindergarten through high school) as well as a Masters in math education. Although math education isn't as good as a masters in Education for this job, I figured a masters in an educational field should certainly get me a smidge more pay than usual.
I have not been to Korea nor have I taught English abroad so I'm sure I won't be arguing over much. However, I feel that I should be shooting for 2.1 or more for Daegu.
Thoughts? |
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Natebomb
Joined: 23 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I was offered 2.1 straight out in Daegu with zero experience and a bachelors degree. I've been offered as high as 2.5 elsewhere. I'm attributing to my extremely handsome features  |
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dimnd
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: Western USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject: salary |
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| 2.0 is lousy...to say the least..say 2.1-2.2 at least |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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There's not that much difference between Daegu and Seoul when it comes to most things, especially since your living accomodations will probably be provided.
2.0 is pretty low for an experienced teacher; however, if it's an after-school academy they probably don't care whom the get as long as it's a compliant white face. |
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chronicpride
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Salary in Daegu |
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| PolishZeus wrote: |
Quick question (hopefully):
I have heard that the cost of living is cheaper in Daegu compared to Seoul (which isn't surprising since Seoul is the largest city....).
However, a possible employer is offering me 2.0 mil won as a salary.
I have a lot of background with kids (Kindergarten through high school) as well as a Masters in math education. Although math education isn't as good as a masters in Education for this job, I figured a masters in an educational field should certainly get me a smidge more pay than usual.
I have not been to Korea nor have I taught English abroad so I'm sure I won't be arguing over much. However, I feel that I should be shooting for 2.1 or more for Daegu.
Thoughts? |
Try to keep in mind that the difference between 2.0 and 2.1 is $100 measly dollars a month. There are a ton of other factors you should be considering before signing a year-long commitment, than looking around for who pays $100 more than the other guy. No one talks about 'thank god I got that extra $100/mnth' once you're 1-2 months into a contract. You start thinking about other things like how crappy the 1 hr commute is to your school. Or how far away Emart or good shopping areas are from you. Or having to deal with feelings of isolation because you are the only foreigner at the school and in area of Korea where its tough to meet others, so you have to come online to try to look for people near you.
In 2003, I worked at a school in downtown Daegu for 1.8/mnth and lived in an apartment building that had 8 other foreigners there and we regularly had rooftop parties. The school employed a maintenance guy to specifically deal with apartment problems/plumbing as soon as it arises. Even help you decipher the Korean on the laundry machine. The school was a 2 minute walk away. The downtown bar district was a 10 minute walk/stumble away. The owner would often take teaching staff to Costco. The school paid on time and was totally professional and precise when it came to finances and deductions. Reimbursed airfare. Paid visa runs. Payroll advances when you get into a pinch. The books sucked, but that's about the only major knock.
Point being, don't judge a job opportunity on who pays $100/mnth more than the other offer. Ask a ton of questions to the existing teachers there and consider the things that could eventually drive you nuts. Your extra $100-200/mnth doesn't mean squat if you find yourself miserable and contemplating a midnight run, 4 months into the job. |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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Day to day living expenses are quite very similar throughout the country, no matter if you are in seoul or in the countryside....
However, what is more expensive is temptations that get you to spend...in Seoul these are more plentiful than daegu...things such as good food, good books, good nightlife,etc.....
However, the gap is closing with even minor cities getting good mexican and Thia restaurants and of course the rapant frnachising of TGI Fridays, bennigans, Outback,etc..........plus you can buy anything you ever needed in seoul from the net.... |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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Just to point out again...this is gold chronicpride
| Quote: |
Point being, don't judge a job opportunity on who pays $100/mnth more than the other offer. Ask a ton of questions to the existing teachers there and consider the things that could eventually drive you nuts. Your extra $100-200/mnth doesn't mean squat if you find yourself miserable and contemplating a midnight run, 4 months into the job.
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That says it all...
Over in the west people are so concerened about levels and amounts of money but being treated well here and working in a good workplace is a lot more important than a little bit more money.....
A good and supportive workplace will make your year(and experience) an enjoyable one, while a bad and unsupportive one(which we read about on here so often) can make your experience very sour.... |
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PolishZeus
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Salary in Daegu |
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| chronicpride wrote: |
| PolishZeus wrote: |
Quick question (hopefully):
I have heard that the cost of living is cheaper in Daegu compared to Seoul (which isn't surprising since Seoul is the largest city....).
However, a possible employer is offering me 2.0 mil won as a salary.
I have a lot of background with kids (Kindergarten through high school) as well as a Masters in math education. Although math education isn't as good as a masters in Education for this job, I figured a masters in an educational field should certainly get me a smidge more pay than usual.
I have not been to Korea nor have I taught English abroad so I'm sure I won't be arguing over much. However, I feel that I should be shooting for 2.1 or more for Daegu.
Thoughts? |
Try to keep in mind that the difference between 2.0 and 2.1 is $100 measly dollars a month. There are a ton of other factors you should be considering before signing a year-long commitment, than looking around for who pays $100 more than the other guy. No one talks about 'thank god I got that extra $100/mnth' once you're 1-2 months into a contract. You start thinking about other things like how crappy the 1 hr commute is to your school. Or how far away Emart or good shopping areas are from you. Or having to deal with feelings of isolation because you are the only foreigner at the school and in area of Korea where its tough to meet others, so you have to come online to try to look for people near you.
In 2003, I worked at a school in downtown Daegu for 1.8/mnth and lived in an apartment building that had 8 other foreigners there and we regularly had rooftop parties. The school employed a maintenance guy to specifically deal with apartment problems/plumbing as soon as it arises. Even help you decipher the Korean on the laundry machine. The school was a 2 minute walk away. The downtown bar district was a 10 minute walk/stumble away. The owner would often take teaching staff to Costco. The school paid on time and was totally professional and precise when it came to finances and deductions. Reimbursed airfare. Paid visa runs. Payroll advances when you get into a pinch. The books sucked, but that's about the only major knock.
Point being, don't judge a job opportunity on who pays $100/mnth more than the other offer. Ask a ton of questions to the existing teachers there and consider the things that could eventually drive you nuts. Your extra $100-200/mnth doesn't mean squat if you find yourself miserable and contemplating a midnight run, 4 months into the job. |
Perhaps I should have put the disclaimer on my post. I have been doing a lot of research on teaching in Korea (since last winter) so I'm becoming familiar with the differences in jobs and paying attention to all the little details.
However, the purpose of my posting was to see if the price of living in Daegu was different enough to warrant the $100 difference of monthly pay.
So focusing strictly on cost of living in Daegu vs. Seoul and not on the other details----is the 'standard' pay of 2.1 mil a reasonable amount to ask for when working in Daegu?
P.S. Thank you all for posting though. All comments have been helpful. |
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I_Am_Wrong
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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If I was in your position (a masters and strong background with children) I wouldn't take anything less then 2.4. Is your experience public school back home? If the place doing the hiring isn't recognizing the fact that you have a masters and experience...then they aren't going to be worth it.
People with bachelors in basket weaving with their only experience being frat parties are getting 2-2.1 |
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Corporal
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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