The standard package
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Contract period | 1 year (renewable) |
| Salary | 2.3–3.2 million won / month, before overtime |
| Teaching hours | 100–120 hours / month |
| Overtime | 15,000–25,000 won / hour |
| Severance | One extra month's salary on completing the full term |
| Housing | Rent-free furnished apartment, or a housing allowance |
| Airfare | One-way international airfare |
| Medical | National health insurance, 50% paid by the school |
| Class size | 5–12 students |
| Vacation | 11–20 paid days plus national holidays |
| Income tax | 1–3% |
| Working days | Monday to Friday (some schools add Saturday classes) |
Why the take-home is higher than it looks
Your rent is zero, your tax rate is 1–3%, and your flight is covered. Teachers routinely save 600,000–1,000,000 won a month while still travelling on weekends. Severance and the national pension refund (available to US, Canadian and Australian citizens on departure) arrive as a lump sum at the end.
Clauses to check before signing
- Teaching hours vs working hours — are the office hours defined, and is overtime paid after which hour?
- Housing — private or shared, who pays key money, utilities and maintenance fee?
- Vacation — how many days, and are they fixed by the school calendar or flexible?
- Airfare — when is your one-way flight reimbursed, and what happens if you leave before the end of the contract?
- Severance — must be one month's pay after 12 months; it is your legal right.
- Notice period and the renewal bonus, if any.
- Health insurance and pension enrolment — both are legally required.