Korean Job Discussion Forums

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

There seems to be a lot of contradictory feeling out there about if we are over paid, under paid, or are paid about right. I am of the feeling that we are under paid. It is little snippets of information like this that lets me know how I stand. Sure one can say I would some pretty little hours for my 2.0, but on the other hand, I can't work anyplace else because my school owns my work visa. This is from the Korea times:

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

You're welcome to apply for the same jobs and get the same pay. But to apply at McDonald's and then complain that they only pay minimum wage is a bit silly.

If you want a job that pays 5M a month, bust out master's degree and start developing friends at LG, Hyundai, CJ, etc., and get working there.

Edit to add that requiring a degree to teach in Korea is a new thing. When I showed up, one only need to show they got some sort of certificate in a post-secondary institution. Most people can teach English without issue regardless of their degree, but working a job at a technology company in their R&D division without a master's degree would mean one would be severely handicapped.

Joe Average acadamy only requires a degree because the government said so, not because of technical merit.

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

Weatherman, do you have any skills that a company would realistically pay you 5 million won a month for?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Weatherman wrote:I can't work anyplace else because my school owns my work visa.

Your E2 visa is sponsored by the school/licence holder. They do not own it. If they give permission and your ARC is so notarised, you may work at a second location. You need to fill out the necessary forms at immigration, with your letter from the school. Also, is it the individual making 4.84 or the household which is usually how income is calculated in Korea? Smile

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

lush72 · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: I am Penalty Kick!

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

You also have to work your rent free apartment into your ultimate salary and your tax rate. Maybe I'm wrong but foreign teachers are taxed at a lower income rate. What's a one bedroom apartment go for in Seoul? In Toronto it's $1000 a month. I figure your 2 mil won really amounts to about 3 mil won a month.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

And don't forget, as well, you're not exactly working a full day. We sure don't work 12 hour days like your average Korean... and most of us get 2 days a week off...

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

It seems like a lot of people are ok with getting paid only 2.0 with a master's. I have a master's, have been working in the industry here for almost 8 years now... and I see the low pay as mostly a part of a structural problem within the industry itself here in Korea, and I also see it as a part of inherent discrimination against all things foreign in Korea and these two elements come full circle. I only wish for better treatment, not necessarily equal treatment.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

Weatherman you've been here almost eight years and are only making 2 mill. In most cities you should be able to make more than that. ARe you married. By now you must be able to speak good korean. YOu can get out of teaching in hagwons and such and move into a better paying job. If you want to teach then i guess your options are limited.

like the one song goes
"if you don't like your place in life
Why don't you change it?"

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

You have a masters, but you are working at a job that doesn't require it. Like I said before, would McDonald's pay you more to be a clerk if you had a master's degree? Of course not.

If you want to make better money, you need to shift out from the small class acadamy circle. That is the McDonald's of English teaching in Korea.

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

Then get a Uni job and work privates. If you are industrious, you can get 3 or more million a month.

I am happy with my pay, but I wouldn't mind more, of course. I am still in my 1st year. Once I pay my dues, I want higher pay.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

jaek99 · Joined: 17 Feb 2004

Most test prep hagwons (SAT/SSAT/TOEFL) pay 30000 won per hour and up for 25-40 hours a week.

At 30000 won per hour x 30 hours x 4 weeks comes out to 3.6 million won per month.

At 35000 won per hour x 30 hours x 4 weeks comes out to 4.2 million won per month.

Add a couple of privates and you will be easily pushing 5 million.