GOE Salary Levels & Benefits (2026)
GOE (Gyeongnam) teacher salaries follow EPIK's nationally standardized pay scale, updated March 2026. Levels are based on degree type, TEFL certification, and prior teaching experience.
GOE teachers earn between ₩2,100,000 and ₩2,700,000 per month depending on qualifications and experience. All GOE positions include free furnished housing, health insurance (50% employer-paid), settlement allowance, and a contract completion bonus. These rates are set by EPIK and apply uniformly across Gyeongsangnam-do province.
Monthly Salary by Level
| Level | Monthly Salary | Qualification Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1+ | ₩2,700,000 | Highest tier for experienced, renewing GOE teachers. Consecutive renewal with Gyeongnam province. |
| Level 1 | ₩2,500,000 | 2+ years post-degree teaching experience PLUS education degree or TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate. |
| Level 2+ | ₩2,300,000 | 1 year post-degree teaching experience PLUS education degree or TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate. |
| Level 2 | ₩2,200,000 | Education-related bachelor's degree, OR any bachelor's degree combined with TEFL/TESOL/CELTA (100+ hours). |
| Level 3 | ₩2,100,000 | Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Entry-level for first-time teachers without TEFL or prior teaching experience. |
Source: 2026 Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education (GOE) Native English Teacher Employment Contract.
Benefits & Allowances
Housing
Furnished apartment provided free of charge (single occupancy). Utilities paid by the teacher.
Settlement Allowance
₩300,000 one-time payment upon arrival to help with initial setup costs.
Entrance Allowance
₩1,300,000 – ₩1,800,000 (varies by province). Repayable if contract ends within 6 months.
Contract Completion Bonus
₩1,300,000 – ₩1,800,000 paid upon successful completion of the 12-month contract.
Renewal Bonus
₩700,000 – ₩2,000,000 for teachers who renew their contract for an additional year.
Health Insurance
National Health Insurance with employer covering 50% of monthly premiums.
Severance Pay
Approximately one month's salary, paid upon contract completion.
Vacation
26 paid vacation days per year (GOE contract Article 14). Must be taken during school recess periods. Korean national holidays (~16 days) also off.
How Can I Qualify for a Higher Salary Level?
Get a TEFL Certificate
A TEFL/TESOL/CELTA moves you from Level 3 (₩2.1M) to Level 2 (₩2.2M+). The ₩100,000+/month increase pays for a typical online TEFL course within the first 2 months.
Gain Teaching Experience Before Applying
Two years of post-degree teaching experience qualifies you for Level 1 (₩2.4M+). This includes ESL teaching, substitute teaching, tutoring, and teaching assistant roles.
Renew Your Contract
Renewing with the same province for a second consecutive year makes you eligible for Level 1+ (₩2.5M-₩3.0M) — the highest salary tier. Plus you receive a renewal bonus of up to ₩2,000,000.
Apply for GOE Through EPIK
Korvia is EPIK's exclusive recruiting partner. Apply through Korvia for the strongest chance of a Gyeongnam placement.