Last reviewed: October 27, 2026
Quick answer
- The 2027 minimum wage is KRW 10,700 an hour, or KRW 2,236,300 a month (209 hours). Factory workers often earn more because of overtime. See the minimum wage guide.
- The biggest difference is housing. A company dormitory keeps costs low; renting a one-room makes rent your largest expense.
- A single worker typically spends about KRW 500,000–800,000 a month in a dormitory, or KRW 1–1.4 million in a one-room outside Seoul.
- Three easy savings: a budget phone plan, transit refunds, and the company cafeteria.
In this guide
What comes out of your salary first
- Social insurance (health, employment, national pension and so on) and income tax are deducted before you get paid. Depending on your nationality, you may not pay national pension.
- If your employer provides a dormitory or meals, a housing and meal charge may be deducted. The amount should be written in your contract. See the E-9 employment contract guide.
- Check your first payslip to see your real take-home pay.
Monthly costs by item (living alone)
| Item | Dormitory | One-room outside Seoul | One-room in Seoul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | KRW 0–300,000 (deducted) | KRW 300,000–500,000 | KRW 500,000–800,000 |
| Maintenance, power, gas | Usually included | KRW 50,000–150,000 (more in winter) | KRW 70,000–150,000 |
| Food | KRW 150,000–300,000 (with company cafeteria) | KRW 350,000–500,000 | KRW 400,000–600,000 |
| Phone | KRW 10,000–30,000 (budget plan) | KRW 10,000–30,000 | KRW 10,000–30,000 |
| Transport | Almost none (shuttle bus) | KRW 30,000–60,000 | KRW 50,000–70,000 |
| Daily goods | KRW 30,000–50,000 | KRW 50,000–100,000 | KRW 50,000–100,000 |
| Fun and eating out | KRW 100,000–200,000 | KRW 100,000–200,000 | KRW 150,000–300,000 |
| Total | About KRW 500,000–800,000 | About KRW 1–1.4 million | About KRW 1.3–2 million |
Rough ranges as of late 2026. Your own costs depend a lot on how you live.
Two example budgets
These are illustrations to show how the numbers fit together, not guaranteed salaries.
| Example A: E-9 factory worker, dormitory | Example B: E-7 office worker, one-room | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | About KRW 2.6 million (with overtime) | About KRW 2.8 million |
| After deductions | About KRW 2.35 million | About KRW 2.5 million |
| Housing | KRW 200,000 (dorm and meal charge) | KRW 500,000 (rent + maintenance) |
| Living costs | KRW 500,000 | KRW 700,000 |
| Left to save or send home | Around KRW 1.5 million | Around KRW 1.2 million |
How to spend less
- Budget phone plans (알뜰폰): often less than half the price of the big three carriers. Sign up once your ARC is issued. See the mobile phone guide.
- Transit refunds: K-Pass returns part of your bus and subway fares. See T-money vs K-Pass for who qualifies.
- Groceries: big supermarkets discount fresh food after about 8 p.m., traditional markets are cheaper for fruit and vegetables, and online grocery apps deliver next day.
- Food from home: areas with many foreign workers, such as Ansan, Gimhae and Hwaseong, have Asian grocery shops, and many deliver online.
- Remittance fees: money transfer apps are often cheaper than banks. See sending money home.
Your first month costs more
- A one-room deposit is usually KRW 3–10 million. Plan it together with money to live on until your first payday. See jeonse vs wolse.
- Set aside about KRW 200,000–400,000 for bedding, kitchen items and winter clothes. Daiso helps a lot. Winter tips are in winter in Korea for foreign workers.
- Your first salary often arrives more than a month after you start.
FAQ
Can I live on the minimum wage?
In a dormitory, yes, with money left to send home. In a Seoul one-room, it is tight.
Do I save more in Seoul or outside it?
Usually outside Seoul, mainly because rent is much lower.
Are there tips or hidden costs?
Korea has no tipping culture. Occasional gifts for coworkers’ weddings or funerals are the main extra cost.
Comparing jobs? See the Korea salary guide by industry and visa.