Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eirrehs]

i work for a Busan public school and my coteacher said i make more money than her. she has been a teacher for 10 years and i find this difficult to believe.

anyone know how much a teacher of ten years makes?

[xCustomx]

[Chet Wautlands]

If she is not a permanent teacher, you might make more money than her. If you are getting paid closer to 2.7 instead of 2.0, you might be making more money than her. If you factor in your plane ticket and apartment, you might be making more money than her.

Chances are, though, you are not making more money than her. That having been said, your job is much better than hers.

[Real Reality]

How much are teachers paid?
(Note: in equivalent USD converted using PPPs)
--Primary education--
Starting Salary: 30,528
Salary after 15 years experience: 52,666
Salary at the top of the scale: 84,262
Ratio of salary after 15 years of experience to GDP per capita: 2.29
--Secodary education--
Starting Salary: 30,405
Salary after 15 years experience: 52,543
Salary at the top of the scale: 84,139
Ratio of salary after 15 years of experience to GDP per capita: 2.28
Korea: Education at a Glance 2008: OECD Indicators--Indicator D3
Table D3.1. Teachers' salaries (2006)--Annual statutory teachers' salaries in public institutions at starting salary, after 15 years of experience and at the top of the scale by level of education, in equivalent USD converted using PPPs
Last updated: 04-Sep-2008
Excel File for download: http://ocde.p4.siteinternet.com/publications/doifiles/962008041P1G025.xls
Main Website address: http://www.oecd.org/document/9/0,3343,en_2649_39263238_41266761_1_1_1_1,00.html

Teachers' salaries -- From The Economist (Sep 27th 2007)
http://www.economist.com/markets/indicators/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9867632

[Robot_Teacher]

Definitely more than I make, but they deserve it as they have much more responsibility and many more hours of work than I have.

[frankly speaking]

The worst part about being a Korean public teacher is that they can be relocated to other schools, and cannot work for a school more than 5 years. At least that is what I was told by a few colleagues. One woman I knew had to change schools and work almost 45 km away. Imagine building up a home and community and then 5 years later be relocated without a choice.

I think that Real Reality's figures are a little high compared to what a lot of the teachers I have worked with make. I know most elementary schools that I worked at the new teachers were making less than 2 million to start, more if they had masters.

As for the OP.

I wouldn't talk about salary with co-workers. If a colleague says that you make more than her/him. Ask how do they know? Your salary should be a private thing.

I personally, don't discuss salary with anyone. Try to be supportive and just say perhaps you should ask for a raise.

[agoodmouse]

Just remember: if someone asks your salary, be sure to make them answer first.

[some waygug-in]

Yes Korean teachers have to transfer every 5 years, but I believe they can choose which school they go to. At least some of the time, that is.

I also believe they can switch schools any time they choose if they feel things are not working out.

[I-am-me]

Korean teachers will always make more than foreign teachers. They also get many hidden perks we dont get such as tax breaks. They get a raise every year, foreign teachers get a raise until their 3-4th year. Dont expect much more after that.

[ED209]

You mean all those new Korean teachers don't live rent free at their parents home?

I wish I had my mum to make me breakfast every morning.

Sometimes it sounds like apples and oranges. We are often dropped in a culture that is wholly alien to us and have to suffer the stress over the simplest things like bank accounts and cellphones. The KTs have to work longer hours, don't really have the option of fleeing Korea when things go bad, but have the comfort of already been adapted to the culture and workplace. They also have their family to support them.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Otherside]

[sulperman]

I guess everybody is talking about public schools....

At my current hagwon they make about 1.5 (obviously no housing), with the boss making 2.1 (less than me by far, including housing, plane, all that)

But at my first hellhole hagwon i got a look at the pay sheet.........oh my god......the most recent hire, who was lacking a bit in the English skills- my Korean was as good as her English- was making (drum roll please).......850,000 a month! And working 10,11 hour days (well, being present for that time) to prove her worth to the awful boss. God, that place sucked.

[smaulik]

Wait, are we talking about teaching in general, or teaching English? Because I can understand if they pay more for native English speakers--high demand, low supply--versus regular Korean public school teachers.