If you’re considering teaching English in Korea, one of the most important factors to consider is salary and benefits. Korea is known for its high demand for English teachers. As a result, it offers competitive salaries and a range of benefits to attract and retain talented teachers. Here’s what you can expect in terms of salary and benefits for teaching English in Korea:
Salary
The average salary for an English teacher in Korea is around 2.2 to 2.8 million Korean won per month (approximately $1,900 to $2,500 USD). However, salaries can vary depending on your experience, qualifications, and the type of institution you work for. Private language schools tend to offer higher salaries than public schools. However, they may require more teaching hours and have less vacation time. To find out which type of school, check out this article.
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, English teachers in Korea are also entitled to a range of benefits, including:
- Housing: The most amazing benefit is most schools and language institutions provide their teachers with free housing. The housing is usually a small, furnished apartment near the school.
- Airfare: Every school should provide or reimburse their teachers with at least a one way airfare ticket to Korea. Some schools will provide a round trip airfare ticket but from my experience that is becoming more rare nowadays.
- Health insurance: All foreign teachers in Korea are required to have health insurance. Most schools and language institutions provide their teachers with health insurance that covers basic medical expenses.
- Paid vacation: English teachers in Korea are entitled to paid vacation time, which varies depending on the institution. Typically, teachers receive around two weeks of paid vacation per year, in addition to national holidays. Unfortunately, if you work at a private school you don’t usually get to pick when you can use your vacation days. It’s common that you’re given 5 days off in the summer and 5 days off in the Winter around Christmas time.
- Severance pay: Upon completion of a one-year contract, teachers are entitled to severance pay, which is usually equivalent to one month’s salary.
- Pension: Korean law requires employers to contribute to a pension fund on behalf of their employees. After completing a year-long contract, teachers can either receive a lump sum payment or keep the money in the pension fund for future use. To find out how to receive your Korean pension receive, click here for the Korean National Pension Service website.
In conclusion, teaching English in Korea offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for many teachers. You can receive a salary of around 2.2 to 2.8 million Korean won per month, free or subsidized housing, airfare reimbursement, health insurance, paid vacation time, severance pay, and a pension fund. These benefits make teaching English in Korea a financially stable and rewarding career path. Interested in becoming an English teacher in Korea? Make sure to check out this article here to find out the qualifications to become one.