EPIK Salary Levels by Region (2026)
Complete salary table for all 17 Korean provinces. Pay scales are set by each regional Office of Education (your actual employer) — not by NIIED or the EPIK Office — which is why rates differ between Seoul SMOE, Gyeonggi GEPIK, and every provincial OE.
₩2.1M–3.0M
Monthly Range
17
Provinces
5
Salary Levels
EPIK teacher salaries in 2026 range from ₩2100K to ₩2800K per month depending on region and qualification level. Seoul offers the highest pay (₩3.0M at S grade). Most provinces use 5 salary levels (1+ through 3), while Seoul uses alphabet grades (S, A, B, C, D, E).Note: Level 3 applicants are not currently being hired — TEFL certification is effectively required. All amounts exclude additional allowances for rural schools, multi-school assignments, and entrance/exit bonuses.Source: Official EPIK salary information updated 2026.01.07
Monthly Salary — All 17 Provinces
Unit: ₩10,000 (만원) per month. Seoul uses alphabet grades (S, A, B, C) instead of numeric levels.
| Region | Level 1+ | Level 1 | Level 2+ | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seoul (SMOE)(서울) Alphabet grades (S,A,B,C,D,E). No Level 3. SMOE requires English-teaching experience for higher salary levels only. | S:300 A:280 | B:260 C:250 | 240 | 230 | – |
Gyeongbuk(경북) | 280 | 260 | 240 | 235 | 210 |
Jeonbuk(전북) | 280 | 260 | 240 | 235 | 220 |
Chungbuk(충북) | 280 | 260 | 240 | 235 | 220 |
Chungnam(충남) | 280 | 260 | 240 | 230 | 210 |
Jeju(제주) | 280 | 260 | 240 | 230 | 210 |
Gangwon(강원) | 270 | 260 | 240 | 235 | 220 |
Busan(부산) | 270 | 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 |
Incheon(인천) | 270 | 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 |
Gyeongnam (GOE)(경남) | 270 | 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 |
Sejong(세종) | 270 | 250 | 230 | 230 | 220 |
Jeonnam(전남) | 270 | 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 |
Daegu(대구) | 260 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 210 |
Daejeon(대전) | 260 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 216 |
Gwangju(광주) | 260 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 210 |
Ulsan(울산) | 260 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 210 |
| 250 | 240 | 230 | 220 | 210 |
How Are Salary Levels Determined?
Level 1+ (S, A)
- ✓After 2 consecutive years as Level 1 with the renewing province.
The highest salary available — rewards long-term teacher retention.
Level 1 (B, C)
- ✓2 years full-time teaching experience + one Level 2 requirement (see below).
- ✓OR: After 1 year as Level 2+ with the renewing province.
Level 2+ (D)
- ✓1 year full-time teaching experience + one Level 2 requirement.
- ✓OR: Master's degree (any field) + Bachelor's in Education / Teaching / TESOL / Second Language Studies.
- ✓OR: Master's in Education / Teaching / TESOL / Second Language Studies + Bachelor's in any field.
- ✓OR: After 1 year as Level 2 with the renewing province.
Level 2 (E)
- ✓Bachelor's in Education / Teaching / TESOL / Second Language Studies.
- ✓OR: Bachelor's in any discipline + TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (100+ hours).
- ✓OR: Bachelor's in any discipline + Teacher's License.
Level 3
- ✓Bachelor's degree in any discipline. No TEFL or teaching experience required.
⚠️ No offices of education hire at Level 3 (across the country). TEFL certification is effectively required.
Additional Notes
- ·Provincial pay may vary depending on location and number of schools taught.
- ·Juris Doctor (J.D.) is equivalent to a non-Education Master's degree for level determination.
- ·Chungbuk offers additional higher levels: S (₩290) and S+ (₩300), with requirements similar to Level 1+.
Additional Allowances (On Top of Base Salary)
Entrance Allowance
₩1,300,000 – ₩1,800,000
Paid at contract start (first contract only). Amount varies by region. Repayable if leaving within 6 months.
Exit / Completion Bonus
₩1,300,000 – ₩1,800,000
Paid upon successful contract completion. Equivalent to entrance allowance in most regions.
Renewal Bonus
₩700,000 – ₩2,000,000
For teachers who renew their contract for a second consecutive year at the same province.
Settlement Allowance
₩300,000
One-time payment upon first arrival. Covers initial expenses like groceries and household items.
Rural School Allowance
₩100,000/month
For teachers in designated rural areas (eup/myeon level). Available in Gyeonggi and some other provinces.
Multi-School Allowance
₩100,000 – ₩150,000/month
For teachers assigned to 2-3 schools. ₩100K for 2 schools, ₩150K for 3 schools (Gyeonggi contract).
Salary FAQ
Q.Which EPIK region pays the most?
Seoul's S grade and Chungbuk's S+ grade both reach ₩3,000,000/month — the highest base salary. Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Jeju also offer ₩2,800,000 at Level 1+. However, cost of living varies significantly — smaller cities often provide better savings potential despite similar or slightly lower pay.
Q.Can I negotiate my EPIK salary?
No. EPIK salaries are standardized by each Office of Education and determined solely by your qualification level. The best way to increase your salary is to obtain a TEFL/TESOL certificate (moves you up at least one level) or gain accredited teaching experience before applying.
Q.Is Level 3 available anywhere?
No offices of education hire at Level 3 (across the country). Level 3 exists on paper as the entry tier for applicants with only a bachelor's degree (no TEFL/TESOL/CELTA and no teaching experience), but in practice no province — including Seoul — is currently hiring at Level 3. A 100+ hour TEFL certificate is effectively required to be placed.
Q.Do I pay Korean income tax on my EPIK salary?
Teachers from countries with tax treaties (including USA, Canada, UK, Australia) may be exempt from Korean income tax for the first 2 years. After that, you can choose between a flat 19% rate or progressive taxation. Your school handles the withholding.
Apply to EPIK Through Korvia
As EPIK's official recruiting partner, Korvia provides free application support and priority processing — and helps you qualify for the highest salary level.