How much can you make with an English teacher in Korea salary? Are you ready for a new adventure, but also want to save some money? Are you ready to enjoy your job, and have a great time in your free time? Does this sound too good to be true?
It isn’t, if you're applying to teach English in Korea! With its modern, pulsing cities, and dreamy, laidback villages oozing tradition—and a great teacher salary in Korea—get ready to make the most of your life abroad.
Here’s one of those modern, pulsing cities we were talking about. There’ll be no shortage to explore when teaching English in Korea!
Not only will you be working as an English teacher in Korea, but you will also have plenty of ways for you to release your inner adventurer.
Whether it’s eating live squid tentacles or becoming a regular in a Korean spa, your spare time will be packed with adventures (and your future favorite memories), all while your bank balance keeps increasing. Teaching English in Korea is the perfect answer to your question, “What next?”
FAQs on your potential Korean teacher salary
What’s a typical English teacher in Korea salary? Discover this answer and more when you read on.
1. What currency are English teachers in Korea paid in? What are the current exchange rates?
The pay generally varies when you teach English in Korea. Salary expectations should vary based on your relevant experience, whether or not you have a TEFL certificate, and personal English speaking capabilities.
English teachers in Korea can expect to earn from $1000 to $3000 a month—but as we mentioned, this can be hugely dependent on your experience, how much you fulfill their requirements, the location of the job, and the length of the contract. Your pay will be paid in won, and pretty soon you may feel like a millionaire!
Most English teachers in Korea are required to have a bachelor’s degree, and a basic TEFL certificate. If you have a master’s, or further ESL qualifications, you can expect your pay to increase.
One of our favorite aspects of a typical teaching English in Korea salary are the perks on perks on perks! Many English jobs in Korea have additional benefits included in their package, such as housing, free flights, and healthcare. Housing is one of the biggest expenses for English teachers in Korea, so getting an apartment for free in central Seoul (or anywhere) can dramatically increase your wage in real terms.
You should also expect an end of contract bonus—just in time to celebrate the great decision you made to move to teach English in Korea, or splurge on some Korean cosmetics before you leave.
Don’t hesitate to spend that bonus on some dope bibimbap and kimchi either.
2. How does the cost of living for ESL teachers in Korea stack up?
The cost of living in Korea varies greatly throughout the country; even within Seoul your won will buy more gimbap in some districts. Seoul is the most expensive place to live in Korea. If you want something more affordable but still within easy reach of the capital, consider Incheon.
Or if hanging out at the beach after work while still living in a city piques your interest, then Busan is your answer! The countryside also has plenty of charm, and is a great place to pick up Korean while teaching in Korea.
Do your research and ask current ESL teachers based in Korea (preferably at the job you are taking) what their living costs are.
3. Can you save a lot of money while teaching in Korea?
One good thing about your salary for teaching English in Korea is that it’s more than enough to cover your everyday expenses. Korea is known for ESL teachers having a great quality of life, while still squirreling away cash in the bank.
There are not many countries where you can indulge in eating out, sampling the nightlife, and exploring the country while still saving enough to take that gap year you have been dreaming about, or to pay tuition for your dream master’s program.
Korean Won is a stable currency so you can feel safe that when you send money back home, that you will be able to pay off those graduate debts, travel the world, or put a deposit on a house.
You’ll be absolutely swimming in won, whether in Busan or further afield, when you start earning a Korean teacher salary.
4. Types of teaching jobs in Korea & how they affect your pay
Before deciding between English teaching jobs in Korea, consider whether you will be the early worm hiking the mountains while enjoying the sunrise, the night owl checking out the local soju and KTV, or a Seoulite enjoying the nine to five.
There are a variety of English jobs in Korea that work different hours, teach different levels, and have different workloads, so there will always be a job to suit your Korean adventure.
The two main ESL jobs in Korea are public or private sector. These differing opportunities can (and likely will) affect your teaching English in Korea salary. After you have decided which of these jobs to pursue, you will need to decide whether to teach very young children, children, teenagers, or adults.The private sector pays better, but the hours are more and the holidays less.
- If you decide to teach in the public sector at elementary schools, you will be a co-teacher. Although you will have a normal working week, you won’t be bringing any work home. While public sector middle and high school is slightly more demanding, it’s very worthwhile.
- Korea is famous for its hagwon culture. These are after school classes that almost every student takes. This means that there are plenty of English teaching jobs in Korea around, and many teachers end up staying for years as they love the teaching environment so much.
You can expect to make more money teaching at private schools in Korea than at public schools.
5. How do you transfer funds/should I open a local bank account?
Eventually, you may want to send your hard-earned savings home to help start your next adventure. There are plenty of ways to do this, and they are all easy. The most common option is to transfer money for a small fee.
You will need to open an account with a local bank to do this. However, some Asian banks with offices in other countries offer free transfers, so if you are a Citibank customer (or other similar banks) then ask in your home country before you go what the options are.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take your money home in cash. At the moment, you can take up to $10,000 without having to declare it (always check the most recent information available). Remember to pack your money in your hand luggage.
Most jobs will require you to open a local bank to be paid into. They should support you with this.
Saving money with a Korean teacher salary will be a cakewalk!
6. Can I earn side money?
On top of your main job, there will be plenty of opportunities to top up your Won with one-on-one teaching, teaching online, and creative opportunities such as designing English language textbooks, or making a guest appearance in Korean dramas. Please check your visa and contract terms before accepting any jobs.
In Korea there is a large demand for private tutors, as many students are required to take English tests to get into university and to get a job, and many Koreans love travelling and want to make their life easier by speaking English.
Native speakers can charge a significant amount for one-on-one lessons. If you want to earn some extra money, but don’t want the pressure of planning one-on-one lessons, then hagwons with pre-prepared lessons are always looking for extra teachers.
Many TV shows require foreigners to make guest appearances so maybe when walking down Itaewon you could finally get spotted and signed up! Make sure you get a copy to show friends back home. There are many job opportunities in Korea, both occasionally and regularly, meaning that you will always be able to save up for your dream.
Real life salaries from current ESL teachers in Korea
Sam Nearson is currently teaching at a university in Korea. He has also worked in the public school system and has lived in Korea for 15 years.
Why did you choose Korea?
I wanted an adventure and the job advert popped up. Fifteen years ago no one knew much about Korea in America, so I didn’t realize what a great opportunity this was.
How would you describe your standard of living?
I’m only 40 but I have saved up enough for a house back home and retirement. That makes it sound like I never spend any money, but the reality is I go out every weekend, I travel within Korea at least once a month, and I’m always hopping round Asia. And I rarely cook for myself!
Holly Lunness, 26, is currently teaching in Seoul.
What is your job?
I teach children at a private academy. So I mainly work in the evenings and on weekends.
How would you describe your standard of living?
There is a great expat scene in Seoul, and locals are also really friendly and open. I spend most of my free time exploring the country—sometimes it is beaches other times mountains. There is so much to see, and it is great value, so I don’t feel bad that I’m eating into savings.
What kind of adventures will you have with your salary teaching English in Korea?
Best paid teaching jobs in Korea
If you are ready to say Annyeong! to your new Korean life, then check out the details on the highest-paid ESL jobs in Korea.
Teachaway offer job positions in Incheon, where you are only a short hop away from the bright lights of Seoul, but your pay (~$2300 a month) will buy a lot more bulgogi. Consider Travelbud, who offers jobs throughout the country—and will work with you to find a location that meets all of your desires. With 24 hour support, they’ll be right alongside you for this ride! You can expect to be earning more than $2000 a month.
[7 Awesome High Paying Teaching Jobs in South Korea]
Geovisions also offers a range of jobs with different hours and levels of commitment, which will add ~$1800 up to ~$3000 a month to your bank account. They also don’t skimp on support and will help you get everything sorted before, during, and after teaching English in Korea. You might also consider signing up for a combo TEFL training and job placement assistance with teach abroad powerhouse International TEFL Academy.
Make money while teaching in Korea!
Ready to put your heart and Seoul into teaching abroad in South Korea?
Your teaching English in Korea salary is just one of the many line items in the “pros” column when you’re weighing whether or not this opportunity is for you. Now that you’ve seen why teaching English in Korea is a great opportunity you will understand why Korea has become such a sought-after destination for people wanting to work as an ESL teacher abroad. Not only will you have great career opportunities teaching English in Korea, you’ll also be living in a vibrant country that is waiting to share its culture with you.
Korea has incredible food, wonderful people, and the opportunity for you to live a great life for a great price. By the time you leave, you will know your K-pop starts from each other, what is good or bad Korean BBQ, and you won’t have any regrets that teaching English in Korea was your next step (as in, the step you’re taking right NOW!).
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