2026 Korea Minimum Wage: What Foreign Workers Should Know

If you're living or working in Korea—or planning to—understanding the country's minimum wage system is essential.

In 2026, Korea’s hourly minimum wage has gone up again, and this change affects more than just your paycheck.

From monthly salary estimates to tax deductions and holiday pay, here’s everything foreign workers need to know to stay informed and get paid fairly.

Table of Contents :

What Is Korea’s 2026 Minimum Wage?
Monthly Salary Estimate (Before Tax)
Understanding Weekly Holiday Pay (주휴수당)
Your Take-Home Pay: After Deductions
Common Pay Violations and How to Report
Are Freelancers and Gig Workers Included?
Real Experiences from Foreign Workers in Korea
FAQs: Foreign Workers’ Common Questions

What Is Korea’s 2026 Minimum Wage?

In 2026, South Korea's minimum wage is officially set at ₩10,320 per hour. That’s a 2.9% increase from 2025’s ₩10,030. While this may seem like a small jump—just ₩290 more per hour—it’s an important update for anyone working in Korea, including foreigners.

The decision was finalized by the Minimum Wage Commission, where representatives from labor, business, and the public agreed after long negotiations. Interestingly, this is the first time in 17 years that all three groups reached a compromise.

Still, some argue that the increase doesn’t match rising living costs. Prices for food, rent, and transport continue to climb, especially in cities like Seoul and Busan. That’s why it’s more important than ever to understand exactly how your wages break down.

Whether you're working full-time as an English teacher or part-time at a café, this new minimum wage will affect your income. Let’s take a closer look at how much money you’ll actually make per month.

Monthly Salary Estimate (Before Tax)

So, what does ₩10,320 per hour mean in real-life numbers?

If you’re working 40 hours per week, your monthly pay (before tax) looks like this:

₩10,320 × 8 hours/day × 5 days/week × 4.34 weeks = ₩2,156,880

That’s your base gross salary—without any extra bonuses or allowances.

But not everyone works a full 40 hours. Many foreign students or working holiday visa holders have part-time jobs. Here’s a quick example:

20 hours/week → ~₩1,078,400/month
15 hours/week → ~₩808,800/month

💡Tip: You can estimate your own monthly pay by multiplying your total hours worked in a month by ₩10,320.

Keep in mind that this is before taxes and before 주휴수당 (weekly paid holiday). If you qualify for that, your pay could be even higher. Let’s explore that next.

Understanding Weekly Holiday Pay (주휴수당)

Weekly holiday pay—called 주휴수당 (juhyu sudang) in Korean—is something many foreign workers miss out on simply because they don’t know it exists.

It’s an extra day’s pay you can receive if you meet two conditions:

You work more than 15 hours per week
You have perfect attendance for the week (no missed shifts)

This system rewards workers with a paid day off, usually equal to 8 hours of pay, once a week.

Here’s how it works:

₩10,320 × 8 hours = ₩82,560/week
₩82,560 × 4.34 weeks ≈ ₩358,300/month extra

That’s a huge difference, especially for part-time workers. If you’re eligible and not receiving it, your employer may be breaking the law.

🔵 Example:

Base pay: ₩2,156,880/month
With 주휴수당: ₩2,515,180/month
Difference: ₩358,300

⚠️ Be aware: If you work under 15 hours/week, miss a day, or have irregular schedules, you may not qualify. Also, some employers try to “hide” this by saying it’s included in your total wage—but they’re required to list it separately on your payslip.

Your Take-Home Pay: After Deductions

The salary numbers we’ve discussed so far are before tax, but what you really care about is your net income—the money you actually receive in your bank account.

In Korea, full-time workers are typically enrolled in the four major social insurance programs (4대 보험):

National Pension (국민연금) – 4.5%
Health Insurance (건강보험) – 3.545% (includes long-term care)
Employment Insurance (고용보험) – 0.9%
Income Tax + Local Income Tax – usually around 1%

Let’s break it down with an example:

Monthly Gross Pay (full-time): ₩2,156,880
Estimated deductions:

National Pension: ₩97,060
Health Insurance: ₩76,500
Employment Insurance: ₩19,410
Income Tax: ₩21,500
→ Total deductions: ~₩214,000

🔵 Take-home pay (실수령액): ~₩1,942,000/month

If you qualify for 주휴수당, your gross pay increases to about ₩2.51 million, and your net pay could go up to around ₩2.27 million after deductions.

💡Tip: Use the official Korean Ministry of Employment & Labor salary calculator to get the exact number for your situation. Just search “실수령액 계산기” and look for the government website (works best in Korean).

Common Pay Violations and How to Report

Unfortunately, not all employers in Korea follow the law—especially when it comes to paying part-time or foreign workers.

Here are the most common violations:

Paying less than ₩10,320/hr
Not paying 주휴수당, even when you’re eligible
Including meal/transport fees to “pretend” they meet minimum wage
Not issuing proper payslips or contracts

💡Important: Korean labor law says minimum wage must be paid based on base hourly pay. Bonuses, tips, transportation fees, or meals do not count toward the minimum.

If you suspect your employer is underpaying you, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Talk to your employer

Be polite but firm. Show them your contract and explain what’s missing.

Step 2: Collect evidence

Save messages, bank records, work schedules, and payslips
Record hours you worked and compare with what you were paid

Step 3: Report it

Visit your local Labor Office (고용노동부)
Or use the online complaint system at www.moel.go.kr
You can also call 1350 for help (limited English available)

If your complaint is valid, your employer may face:

Back pay requirements
Fines or criminal charges (up to ₩20 million or 3 years in prison)

💡 Note: Complaints must be filed within 3 years of the incident. And yes, foreign workers—regardless of visa type—have full labor rights under Korean law.

Are Freelancers and Gig Workers Included?

Not all workers are protected by Korea’s minimum wage law.

People working in platform jobs or on freelance contracts are often excluded. These are called “특수형태근로자 (special-type workers)” and usually include:

Food delivery riders
Private tutors on contract
Insurance sales agents
Freelance language instructors
Online content moderators
Gig app workers (e.g. quick errands, translation, etc.)

These workers are often paid per task or per project, not hourly, and technically not classified as “employees.” That’s why the minimum wage law doesn’t apply—yet.

However, things may change soon. In 2025, Korea’s Minimum Wage Commission began reviewing whether platform workers should be covered starting in 2027.

💡If you’re on a freelance or platform contract, make sure you understand:

Are you paid per hour, per task, or per month?
Do you have a written agreement or just verbal terms?
What happens if you don’t meet a quota?

And remember, even if you’re not covered by minimum wage, you still have some rights under civil law, especially regarding non-payment or contract violations.

Real Experiences from Foreign Workers in Korea

Foreign workers in Korea often share their stories online—on forums, blogs, and social media—offering valuable insight into real-life work situations.

Some part-time workers have reported being told that weekly holiday pay (주휴수당) doesn't apply to foreigners, even when they meet all the legal conditions. Others working in public schools or language institutes mention that their salaries barely exceed minimum wage, with take-home pay hovering around ₩2.2 million—even though living costs continue to rise.

Many agree that while minimum wage might be enough for students or short-term visitors, it’s not easy to live on in cities like Seoul. Rent, transportation, and food quickly eat into earnings, leaving little room for savings.

These stories serve as a reminder: know your rights, track your hours, and always check your payslip. If something feels off, don’t stay silent—foreign workers in Korea have legal protections, too.

FAQs: Foreign Workers’ Common Questions

Q1. I’m on a student visa (D-2) or working holiday visa—do I still get minimum wage?
Yes. If you are legally allowed to work and classified as a “worker,” you are entitled to minimum wage, 주휴수당, and legal protections—regardless of nationality or visa.

Q2. My boss says they include meals and transport in the hourly wage. Is that allowed?
No. Those are considered separate benefits, not part of your base wage. Minimum wage must be paid in basic hourly rate only.

Q3. Can I save money working on minimum wage in Korea?
That depends on your lifestyle and location. In Seoul, it’s hard—rent and transport take a big chunk. In smaller cities, you may be able to save ₩300k–₩600k/month if you live frugally.

Q4. What if I’m being paid in cash with no payslip?
That’s risky. Always ask for a written contract and proper documentation. If anything goes wrong, you’ll need proof to file a complaint.

Q5. I work as a delivery rider—am I protected by minimum wage?
Not yet. Most gig/platform workers are not covered under current law. But the system may change by 2027. For now, check your contract carefully.

The 2026 minimum wage increase may not seem huge, but for many foreign workers in Korea, every ₩ counts. Whether you're teaching, serving, delivering, or freelancing, it's crucial to understand what you're owed—and what you're not.

Don’t let confusion or cultural differences stop you from asking questions, checking your payslip, or reporting unfair treatment. Korea’s labor laws protect you, too.

💬 Want to stay updated? Bookmark this blog, and feel free to share your experience in the comments—we’re building a smarter, more informed foreigner community in Korea, together.