Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EzeWong]

I plan to go to korea... soon, real soon.

And I was trying to figure out what kind of Pay Scale I should be aiming at.

~I graduated from a pretty decent Tier 2 college (Boston University)

~I'm Asian American

~Business Degree, Concentration Finance

~No Experience teaching English

Should I be looking at 2,100,000 won a month? or more like 2,500,00?


I'm trying to see if my degree means something, if ANYTHING at all, or if its going to be my award winning smile on these cheesy photos?

[Zaria32]

You're going to have a bit more trouble landing a job than a caucasian, but you'll be able to get one, and probably in the 2.1 to 2.2 range, amybe even 2.3. Many people on this board say to "hold out" for more, but the holding out seems to result, for those new to Korea, in no job, rather than a higher salary.

Also, your employability will be affected by your surname...if it sounds Japanese, that's a problem.

I have a doctorate, prior experience teaching, and a teaching certificate, and my highest has been 2.3.

[biggpoppa]

public school expect 1.9 - 2.1 (depending on location)

hagwon expect 2.1 - 2.4 (depending on school, hours worked and location)

[tigerbluekitty]

Your last name sounds Chinese. The Koreans might not be too thrilled about someone of Chinese origin teaching them English, so I guess you'd probably get around 2.1 mil at a hagwon or an institute. Though if I were you, I'd be tough and demand more.

For public school, which would be an easier job for you to get, they usually pay 1.9 mil for someone with no experience regardless of university and degree.

[Otherside]

Public schools - They don't care about your "pretty decent tier 2 college" nor do they care about your ethnicity. At the last GEPIK orientation I was at, less than 20% of the teachers fell into the white with a North American accent category. That being said, from their perspective (according to the payscales) you are worth 2.0mill a month. (possibly more if you live out in the country - usually an extra 100K and some provinces offer another 100-200K on top of that...not Seoul/Gyeongi though).

Hagwons - unless you are teaching business english (usually quite hard to get and often requires actual business experience), unfortunatly your degree adds no value. Going rate is about 2.2mill.

There is more room for negotiation with Hagwons, and if a school is desperate for you to start asap, that can work in your favour. I'd recommend a public school though, by far a better experience (imo) and the extra 100-200K is NOT worth the hassle of a hagwon.

PS. a 100 hour teaching certificate, TEFL, CELTA etc. will add an extra 100K to your PS salary and its a nice way to get your feet wet before you start.

Zaria, with a PHD, teaching certificate and experience, you should really be getting more than 2.3.

[tzechuk]

[egrog1717]