English teachers in South Korea's public schools (EPIK) earn ₩2.2 million to ₩2.8 million a month on the Fall 2026 pay scale outside Seoul (about £1,240 to £1,580 at the European Central Bank reference rates of 6 October 2026), with housing provided. EPIK publishes provincial pay bands by qualification level; hagwons (private academies) set their own pay, often with longer evening hours; universities and international schools recruit separately, and international schools usually want a teaching licence. Korea remains one of the strongest “save while you live” TEFL markets, as long as you treat housing and contract bonuses as part of the package, not just the headline salary.
Last verified: 6 October 2026. EPIK figures below come from the official EPIK Salary & Benefits page (pay scale updated 4 May 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake). Hagwon, university and international-school pay is set by each employer and has no official scale. Treat every figure as subject to your contract and Office of Education.
Pay by employer type (2026)
| Route | Typical monthly base | Usual extras | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public schools (EPIK / POE) | ₩2.2M to ₩2.8M for Levels 2 to 1+, by Office of Education (EPIK Fall 2026 pay scale); Seoul uses its own scale | Housing provided, ₩300,000 settlement allowance, entrance allowance and contract completion bonus, 50% of health insurance premiums paid by the employer, severance of about one month's salary | Offices of Education are not currently hiring Level 3, so you must qualify for at least Level 2 (for example, a bachelor's degree in any subject plus a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of 100+ hours) |
| Hagwon (private academy) | No official scale: each academy sets its pay, which must at least meet Korea's 2026 minimum wage of ₩10,320 an hour (₩2,156,880 a month on a 209-hour basis) | Housing often included outside Seoul; flights sometimes; fewer public holidays than EPIK | Seoul often pays more on paper; regional cities can leave more in your pocket after rent |
| University | Set by each university; no official scale | Campus housing sometimes; lighter contact hours | Competitive; research your faculty’s English-track needs |
| International school | Set by each school; no official scale | Full expat package possible | Usually wants a teaching licence / QTS-style credential, not TEFL alone |
| Online (Korea-based or remote) | Set by each platform; rates vary widely | You cover tax and setup | Useful side income only if your visa and contract allow it |
For how Korea sits next to Japan, China and the Gulf, see our pillar English teacher salaries by country (2026).
EPIK bands in plain English
EPIK pay is set by the Offices of Education, not as one national wage, and EPIK says the scale can change between intakes. The table updated on 4 May 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake puts Level 2 at ₩2.2M to ₩2.35M a month, Level 2+ at ₩2.3M to ₩2.4M, Level 1 at ₩2.4M to ₩2.6M and Level 1+ at ₩2.5M to ₩2.8M, depending on the Office of Education. Chungbuk adds two higher levels for long-serving renewers, S (₩2.9M) and S+ (₩3.0M), and Gyeonggi adds a 1++ level (₩2.6M). Seoul’s Metropolitan Office of Education publishes its own scale. Benefits matter as much as the base: housing provided by the Office of Education (utilities are yours), a one-time settlement allowance of ₩300,000 in the first month of your first contract, an entrance allowance of ₩1,800,000 (₩1,300,000 in Chungbuk, repayable if the contract ends within six months) and a contract completion bonus of ₩1,300,000 (₩1,800,000 in Chungbuk; Seoul, Jeju and Gyeonggi pay a ₩1,300,000 exit allowance at the end of your final contract instead). Your employer pays 50% of your health insurance premiums, and severance is about one month’s salary (EPIK Salary & Benefits). The EPIK site’s published Jeonnam contract details list 26 working days of paid vacation plus Korean national holidays (EPIK Overview).
What life actually costs
With housing provided, many first-year teachers report being able to save a meaningful monthly amount after food, transport and normal social spending. Korea’s save-rate reputation comes from the package, not from a sky-high cash wage. Seoul rent without employer housing is the budget-breaker; Busan, Daegu and smaller cities are usually kinder. Build your spreadsheet around: base pay minus (pension and health deductions) minus food, transport and phone, and only then count bonuses as year-end upside.
Planning the move? See our South Korea travel-teach guide.
Visa and TEFL requirements (high level)
To teach English on Korea’s E-2 (foreign language instructor) status, you must be a national of a country where English is the native language and hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a university in such a country (Immigration Act rules, summarised on the Korean government’s Easy Law site). TEFL alone does not replace the degree. EPIK accepts citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa, and asks for a national-level, apostilled criminal record check dated within six months of the contract start (EPIK Eligibility). For EPIK, a bachelor’s degree in any subject plus a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of 100 hours or more meets the Level 2 pay requirement (EPIK Level & Requirements). Hagwons typically screen for the same degree and TEFL pairing. Always confirm passport eligibility and apostille rules with the school or a licensed recruiter; do not work on a tourist status.
Which Global English course for Korea?
For most EPIK and hagwon applicants, our 120-hour Level 3 TESOL Certificate is the practical primary credential: accredited, tutor-marked, and verifiable online. If you are targeting more competitive Seoul hagwons, university interviews, or you want Level 4/5 depth on your CV, step up to the 150-hour Advanced or 250-hour Professional courses. Explore the ladder on our online TEFL/TESOL hub or use which TEFL course if you are unsure. Employers can confirm your certificate on our verify page.
How much do EPIK teachers make in 2026?
On the EPIK pay scale updated on 4 May 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake, monthly base pay runs from ₩2.2M to ₩2.8M for Levels 2 to 1+, depending on level and Office of Education, with Seoul on a separate scale. Housing is provided by the Office of Education.
Is a hagwon better paid than EPIK?
Sometimes on paper, but there is no official hagwon scale: each academy sets its own pay, which must at least meet Korea’s 2026 minimum wage of ₩10,320 an hour. EPIK’s housing, bonuses and paid vacation can close the gap on annual net savings. Compare total package and hours, not just the monthly number.
Do I need a TEFL certificate for Korea?
For the E-2 visa you need a bachelor’s degree. For EPIK, if your degree is not in education, you need a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours, which also meets the Level 2 pay requirement; many hagwons look for the same pairing. CELTA is not required for most Korea roles.
Can I teach in Korea without a degree?
Not on a standard E-2 teaching visa. Korea is a degree-required market. If you do not have a bachelor’s, look at no-degree destinations or online marketplaces instead.
How much can I save in a year?
There is no official figure: it depends on your city, lifestyle and exchange rate. With housing included, build your own budget from your contract and treat recruiter savings claims as marketing until you have run the numbers.
When should I apply?
EPIK hires twice a year, for spring and autumn intakes. Hagwon hiring is more year-round but peaks ahead of those same school terms. Start paperwork (apostilles, criminal checks) early: documents, not interviews, usually cause delays.