Salaries by job in South Korea 2026: gross and net
Typical monthly pay for the main kinds of job, before and after tax and social security, from official earnings data.
Typical gross pay a month in 2026 for the main kinds of job, from the lowest-paid to the highest-paid. Your own salary and situation: in the calculator below.
Every kind of job ↓…
Pay by kind of job in South Korea 2026
Pay differs most by the kind of work. The table shows the typical gross pay a month of each main group of the international ISCO classification, and what is left after income tax and social security.
Typical pay a month by kind of job
| Kind of job | Gross a month | Net a month | Compared with all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers | ₩9,168,670 | ₩7,122,138 | +191% |
| Professionals: engineers, doctors, teachers, IT specialists, lawyers | ₩3,574,174 | ₩3,051,780 | +13% |
| Office and administrative staff | ₩3,511,137 | ₩3,003,254 | +11% |
| Machine operators, assemblers and drivers | ₩2,921,745 | ₩2,549,534 | −7% |
| Skilled trades: construction, electricians, mechanics | ₩2,858,709 | ₩2,501,008 | −9% |
| Farming, forestry and fishing | ₩2,152,699 | ₩1,912,087 | −32% |
| Service and sales: shops, restaurants, care, security | ₩2,146,395 | ₩1,906,537 | −32% |
| Elementary jobs: cleaners, helpers, labourers | ₩1,840,668 | ₩1,637,354 | −42% |
| All employees (median) | ₩3,151,829 | ₩2,726,655 | 0% |
Typical gross pay: the 2026 national median, ₩3,151,829 a month, times how much each group earns compared with all employees (average monthly earnings, ILOSTAT, 2022). Net pay: single, aged 35, no children, 12 salaries a year. Pay varies widely inside each group by experience, sector and region.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs pay the most in South Korea?
Managers: typically ₩9,168,670 gross a month, ₩7,122,138 net.
Which jobs pay the least in South Korea?
Elementary jobs: typically ₩1,840,668 gross a month, ₩1,637,354 net.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” in the calculator. Last checked: October 2026. Estimates for information, not financial advice.
Other questions about pay in South Korea: What is my hourly wage? · What is the minimum wage after tax? · What do I take home part-time? · How much unemployment benefit would I get? · How much notice must my employer give? · When can I retire? · What is my money worth after inflation?