Average Salary in South Korea in 2026 by Industry

With one of the world’s best-trained workforces, South Korea has become an industrial powerhouse in manufacturing and technology, home to major players such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. For global employers seeking to tap into South Korean talent, understanding salary benchmarks is essential.

The IT sector in South Korea is growing rapidly, and South Korea’s electronic manufacturing market is forecast to reach US$45.46 billion by 2031. The technical skills, high level of education, and emphasis on precision and innovation make access to accurate, timely salary data a vital element of your hiring strategy.

What is the average salary in South Korea?

The average salary in South Korea is approximately KRW 3,900,000 per month, which converts to just over US$2,700. Annually, that translates to an average salary of KRW 46,800,000 or about US$32,400.

A handful of executives earning millions can skew the numbers upward. That’s where the median becomes useful. The median monthly salary is KRW 3,500,000 (US$2,440), or KR 42,000,000 per year (US$29,250). If you lined up all the workers in South Korea by salary, the person in the middle would earn this much. It gives a better sense of how much a typical worker really earns.

South Korea’s average salary of KRW 46,800,000 positions it above both Japan and China in the region. But what’s especially notable for employers is that South Korea’s workforce will have nearly 28 million, as of January 2026.

The IT and electronics sector is driving significant growth, with North American sales reaching KRW 157.9 trillion, up 20.7% year over year. The country offers exceptional talent density in tech and engineering roles. That combination of skill and competitive compensation is exactly what draws multinational companies to build teams here.

Average salary in South Korea by job type

Average salary ranges vary significantly across different industries and roles. Here’s what employers can generally expect when recruiting talent in key sectors across South Korea.

Software Engineers. KRW 70,000,000 annually (US$48,800)
IT Professionals and Specialists. KRW 55,000,000 annually (US$38,300)
Customer Service Representatives. KRW 44,000,000 annually (US$30,700)
Sales and Marketing Professionals. KRW 97,600,000 annually (US$68,000)
Manufacturing and Production Workers. KRW 60,500,000 annually (US$42,100)
Finance and Accounting Professionals. KRW 42,600,000 annually (US$29,700)
Doctors. KRW 139,500,000 annually (US$97,200)
Nurses. KRW 36,000,000 annually (US$25,000)
Teachers. KRW 28,800,000 annually (US$20,100)

South Korean salary trends by city

Geography matters when it comes to compensation. Seoul has the highest salaries in the country, but other big cities pay well and have lower costs of living.

Seoul

Seoul has the highest average annual salary in the country, at KRW 52,300,000 (US$36,400). That’s about 11% more than the average for the whole country. But there is a trade-off: housing and daily costs in the capital are much higher. For example, a single person can expect to pay about KRW 1,600,000 (US$1,100) a month for rent and other expenses.

For employers, this means Seoul hires come with premium expectations. The city has the most talented people in tech, finance, and business. The salaries are higher because Seoul has more corporations and a high cost of living.

Busan

Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, has an average annual salary of KRW 51,500,000 (US$35,900). That means Busan’s compensation expectations are a little less than Seoul’s. The city’s port economy and manufacturing base keep wages high, and living costs drop to about KRW 1,360,000 (US$950) a month.

This mix makes Busan an attractive market for businesses that want to keep salaries competitive. Employees get paid almost as much as they would in Seoul, but they don’t have to shell out as much for living expenses.

Incheon

The average salary for workers in Incheon is KRW 50,500,000 (US$35,200) a year. Because the city is close to Seoul and is a major logistics hub, wages stay competitive. The cost of living is about KRW 1,344,000 (US$936) a month, which is much lower than in the capital.

Incheon has strategic advantages for global employers. You’re close to Seoul’s international airport and infrastructure without having to pay the high prices that come with living in Seoul.

Daegu

The average annual salary in Daegu is KRW 49,562,000 (about US$34,500). The city is a major player in the textile, automotive parts, and electronics manufacturing industries. The cost of living is lower than in Seoul and Busan, giving employees more purchasing power relative to their paychecks.

Companies that want to set up manufacturing or production operations often find that Daegu offers strong value. Salaries are still competitive, and overhead costs are still low.

What is the minimum wage in South Korea?

The minimum wage in South Korea is KRW 10,320 per hour (US$7.19) as of January 1, 2026. That’s a 2.9% jump from the KRW 10,030 rate a year earlier. This means that a full-time worker who works the standard 209 hours a month will earn at least KRW 2,156,880 (about US$1,500) before taxes and other deductions.

This rate applies nationwide under South Korea’s unified minimum wage. Whether you hire in Seoul or Daegu, the baseline doesn’t change.

The 2026 increase is especially significant because it marks the first time in 17 years that labor, management, and public interest groups have reached consensus on something. The deal strikes a healthy balance between what workers need and what employers can afford in the current economy. For companies around the world that hire in South Korea, this stability in the wage-setting process means that the labor market is maturing and baseline costs are becoming more predictable.

Employer considerations when hiring in South Korea

To build a team in South Korea, you need to know how the job market works there. A strong salary is just the beginning.

Competitive salary offers matter. There are many tech jobs in Seoul, and companies that offer low pay usually lose out to those that are willing to pay market rate or more.
Mandatory benefits are non-negotiable. In South Korea, employers must pay into the National Pension Scheme, National Health Insurance, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance.
Severance pay is legally required. If a South Korean professional has worked for a company for a year or more, they are entitled to at least 30 days of average pay for each year of service upon leaving.
Salary expectations shift by role and location. In Seoul, a software engineer makes KRW 70 million, while a customer service representative makes about KRW 44 million. These gaps get bigger or smaller depending on the city.
Payroll compliance can get complex fast. Many jobs in South Korea pay on a unique 13-month basis, and if you get overtime wrong (which can be up to 1.5 times your regular pay), you could face penalties.
Probationary periods have limits. Probation periods are common, but they can’t last longer than three months and must be clearly stated in the employment contract.
Annual leave accrues immediately. During their first year, employees get one day of paid leave for every month they work. After that, they get 15 days of paid leave every year, which goes up with their length of service.
EOR services simplify the administrative burden. You can focus on building your team instead of figuring out how to follow Korean labor law because an Employer of Record takes care of payroll, tax withholding, benefits administration, and compliance tracking.

FAQs

Here are the most common questions employers ask about South Korean compensation. These answers give you the quick context you need when building your hiring strategy.

What is a good salary in South Korea?

A good salary depends on the role and location, but anything above the median of KRW 3,500,000 monthly (US$2,440) puts you in the upper half of earners. For competitive tech and professional roles in Seoul, expect to pay KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 7,000,000 monthly (about US$3,520 to US$4,900) to attract strong candidates.

What is the average monthly salary in South Korea in USD?

The average monthly salary is approximately US$2,700, which equals KRW 3,900,000. This figure represents the mean across all industries and experience levels nationwide.

How much do software engineers make in South Korea?

In South Korea, software engineers make an average of KRW 70,000,000 a year (US$48,800). This puts them well above the national average, which shows how much demand there is for technical talent.

Are salaries higher in Seoul compared to other cities?

Yes, the average salary in Seoul is about 11% higher than the national average, which is KRW 52,300,000 a year (US$36,400). But the cost of living in Seoul is much higher than in Busan or Daegu.

How do South Korean salaries compare to other APAC countries?

With an average monthly salary of US$2,700, South Korea is in the middle to upper range for the region. It is behind Singapore (US$6,300) and China (US$4,250) but ahead of Thailand (US$2,790). South Korean conglomerates pay new college graduates $46,100 a year, which is about 24.5% more than in Japan and a lot more than in Taiwan.

Recruit South Korean talent with confidence (and compliance)

Hiring in South Korea means navigating payroll systems, mandatory benefits, labor laws, and local compliance requirements that can slow down even the fastest-moving companies. Pebl handles all of it so you don’t have to. With EOR services in South Korea and 185+ countries worldwide, Pebl lets you hire the talent you need without setting up a legal entity or building an in-country HR infrastructure from scratch. Ready to start recruiting talent in South Korea? Reach out to get started.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.