Pay Scale

※ Updated on 2026.05.04 for the Fall 2026 intake
 

General Information

The Offices of Education are not currently hiring level 3 applicants. As such, all applicants MUST qualify for at least Level 2 on the pay scale BEFORE signing the final contract.

Please be aware that the pay scale is set by the Offices of Education, not by the NIIED nor the EPIK Office. This pay scale is subject to change between intakes.

The final pay level is subject to determination based on the applicant’s teaching experience, qualifications, the internal guidelines of the Offices of Education, etc. Confirmation of the final pay scale will be determined at the contract start date.

Regarding Seoul Pay Scale

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) uses a different pay scale, which you can download/view below. The contents of the file was issued directly by SMOE; as such, any inquiries regarding their pay scale should be addressed to them directly rather than to the EPIK Office.

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Level & Salary
※ Monthly Pay (million KRW)
Level Office of Education*
Gyeongbuk Jeonbuk
Chungbuk		 Chungnam
Jeju		 Gangwon Incheon
Busan		 Gyeongnam Sejong
Jeonnam		 Daegu
Daejeon
Gwangju
Ulsan		 Gyeonggi
1+ 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5
1 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4
2+ 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3
2 2.35 2.3 2.3 2.35 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2
3 2.1 2.2 (Jeonbuk) 2.2 (Chungam) 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.2 (Sejong) 2.16 (Daejeon)
2.1		 -

*Please review the General Information section above regarding Seoul's pay scale.

Level & Requirements
Level Requirements
1+ After two (2) consecutive years as Level 1 with the renewing province
1 Two (2) years of full-time teaching experience
+ ONE of the Level 2 requirements
After one (1) year as Level 2+ with the renewing province
2+ One (1) year of full-time teaching experience
+ ONE of the Level 2 requirements
Master's degree in any discipline with a Bachelor's degree in Education / major in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies, or Education
Master's degree in Education / major in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies, or Education with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline
After one (1) year as Level 2 with the renewing province
2 Bachelor's degree in Education / major in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies, or Education
Bachelor's degree in any discipline
+ TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (100+ hours)
Bachelor's degree in any discipline
+ Teacher's License
3 Bachelor's degree in any discipline
  • • The amount of provincial pay varies depending on the location within the POE and the number of schools taught.
  • • A Juris Doctor is equivalent to a non-Education Master's degree.
  • • Chungbuk also has two higher pay levels, S (2.9) and S+ (3.0). The requirements for these levels are similar to 1+ (must have worked for 2 consecutive years at the prior pay level when renewing with Chungbuk).
  • • Gyeonggi also has one higher pay level 1++ (2.6). Requires 3 consecutive years as Level 1+ and 7 total consecutive years in Gyeonggi.
  • • Please see the General Information section above regarding Seoul's pay scale.

Benefits

The following applies to all EPIK teachers, regardless of level, unless otherwise stated:

Settlement Allowance - 300,000 KRW (one-time payment)
All EPIK teachers will be provided with a settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW within the first month of their first contract only.
Accomodations Provided
  • A leased house/apartment/studio-type room provided by your MOE/POE.
  • Utilities and maintenance fees are not provided for and are the responsibility of the EPIK teacher.
  • Due to variations in housing costs in different regions of Korea, the size and location of the provided housing can vary from region to region.
Severance Pay
All EPIK teachers who successfully complete their contract will be entitled to receive severance pay. Severance pay is equal to approximately one month's salary.
Entrance Allowance and Contract Completion Bonus/Exit Allowance
  • All EPIK teachers will be provided with 1,800,000 KRW as the Entrance Allowance at the end of their first contract month. Note: For applicants placed in Busan, Daegu, Jeju, Incheon and Chungbuk the entrance allowance will be provided after the first six months of the contract.
    • * In Chungbuk, the Entrance Allowance is 1,300,000 KRW.
  • The Entrance Allowance is issued as a loan from the employer to the EPIK teachers. In the event that the contract is terminated within the first six months, regardless of the course or grounds, the EPIK teachers will be required to repay the aformentioned loan to your school immediately. A contract completion bonus of 1,300,000 KRW is provided at the end of each contract period.
    • * In Gangwon this is referred to as an exit allowance when completing your final contract.
    • * In Chungbuk, the contract completion bonus is 1,800,000 KRW.
  • No contract completion bonus is provided for Seoul, Jeju, and Gyeonggi. However, a 1,300,000 KRW exit allowance will be provided at the end of the final contract.
    • * For Gyeonggi, the renewal bonus listed below is higher to compensate for this.
Renewal Bonus
  • A renewal bonus of 700,000 KRW will be provided upon completion of each renewed contract.
    • * A 2,000,000 KRW renewal bonus will be provided for Gyeonggi, divided into two payments: 1,300,000 KRW at the start of the renewed contract and 700,000 KRW at the end of the renewed contract.
    • * The Jeju Office of Education pays a flat 1,300,000 KRW renewal bonus at the start of the renewed contract.
Compulsory Medical Insurance - 50% of your premiums paid by your employer
In accordance with the National Medical Insurance Act, your MOE/POE will pay 50% of your medical insurance premiums.
Current medical insurance premiums are approximately 5.89% of your salary and are payable monthly.
Your host MOE/POE will pay half of this amount (approx. 2.945%) with the remaining amount being deducted from your monthly salary.
This medical insurance will allow you to receive medical attention and prescription medicine at a fraction of the cost.
In the event that EPIK teachers have dependents living with them in Korea, the MOE/POE will pay 50% of their medical insurance premiums in addition to the EPIK teacher.
EPIK Orientation - An excellent transition and networking opportunity
  • All EPIK teachers will receive orientation and training related to living and teaching in Korea. During this orientation, EPIK teachers will be exposed to various subject areas and activities related to teaching and living in Korea.
  • The orientation is conducted by EPIK at the orientation venue, prior to your contract start date.
  • The orientation period is not included in the term of employment and, as such, is unpaid.
  • Orientation is mandatory for all EPIK teachers. If you are not present at the orientation, you will not be eligible for employment.
  • Lodging and meals will be provided during the orientation free of charge for all EPIK teachers.
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