GEPIK Salary Levels
2026 Gyeonggi-do Office of Education pay scale for Native English Teachers — base salary by qualification level, plus rural and multi-school allowances.
₩2.2M
Entry Salary (Lvl 2)
₩2.6M
Top Tier (Lvl 1++)
+₩100K
Rural Allowance
2 Yr
Tax Exemption
GEPIK teachers earn between ₩2,200,000 and ₩2,600,000 per month based on qualifications and experience. The 2026 contract introduces a Level 1++ tier at ₩2.6M for the most experienced renewing teachers. Additional allowances for rural schools and multiple-school assignments can add ₩100,000–150,000/month on top of your base salary.
Monthly Salary by Level
| Level | Monthly Salary | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1++ | ₩2,600,000 | Highest tier for experienced, renewing GEPIK teachers (consecutive re-contract at Level 1+). |
| Level 1+ | ₩2,500,000 | Returning Level 1 teacher, renewing contract with Gyeonggi Province. |
| Level 1 | ₩2,400,000 | 2+ years post-degree teaching experience with TEFL or education-related degree. |
| Level 2+ | ₩2,300,000 | 1 year post-degree teaching experience with TEFL or education-related degree. |
| Level 2 | ₩2,200,000 | Education-related degree OR bachelor's + TEFL/TESOL/CELTA (100+ hrs). Entry-level with certification. |
Source: 2026 Gyeonggi-do Office of Education Native English Teacher Contract.
Additional Allowances
Rural School Allowance
₩100,000 / month
Additional monthly allowance for teachers placed in designated rural areas (eup / myeon level schools). Paid on top of your base salary.
Multiple School Allowance
₩100,000 – ₩150,000 / month
₩100K for 2-school assignments, ₩150K for 3-school assignments. Includes combined or annexed schools where you rotate between campuses.
Housing Allowance Option
₩500,000 / month
Available in lieu of provided housing, upon mutual agreement. Must be requested during the application stage, not after contract signing.
Tax Exemption
First 2 years
Income tax exemption for the first 2 years of employment in Korea, for eligible countries under double taxation agreements (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand).
Full Benefits Package (2026 Contract)
| Entrance Allowance | ₩1,300,000 (first contract only). Must provide flight documents within 30 days. |
| Settlement Allowance | ₩300,000 one-time (first contract only). |
| Renewal Allowance | ₩2,000,000 for contract renewal at the same school. |
| Exit Allowance | ₩1,300,000 upon contract completion and departure. Requires one-way ticket and boarding pass. |
| Housing | Furnished single housing provided. Or ₩500,000/month housing allowance upon mutual agreement. |
| Health Insurance | National Health Insurance with 50% employer contribution. Covers health, vision, and dental. |
| National Pension | 50% employer contribution. USA, Canada, Australia eligible for refund upon departure. |
| Severance Pay | Approximately one month's salary per completed 1-year contract, paid upon final departure. |
| Vacation | 20 paid vacation days per contract + 11 paid sick days + all Korean national holidays. |
| Salary Pay Date | 17th of each month (or preceding business day if weekend/holiday). |
| Working Hours | 40 hours/week, Mon-Fri. Teaching max 22 hours/week; overtime paid beyond that. |
Salary FAQ
Q.How do I qualify for Level 1 or higher at GEPIK?
Level 1 (₩2.4M) requires 2+ years of post-degree teaching experience plus either a TEFL certificate or an education-related degree. Level 1+ (₩2.5M) is for returning Level 1 teachers renewing with Gyeonggi. Level 1++ (₩2.6M) is the highest tier, reserved for teachers who consecutively re-contract at Level 1+.
Q.What counts as 'teaching experience' for salary leveling?
Post-degree teaching experience at an accredited institution — public schools, universities, private language schools (hagwon), or international schools. Volunteer tutoring, TA work during your own degree, and non-English teaching generally do not count. Experience must be verifiable with employment letters.
Q.Can I negotiate my GEPIK salary?
No. GEPIK salaries are set by the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education and placed strictly according to the level chart. What you can influence is your starting level — getting a TEFL certificate (100+ hrs) before applying, and documenting prior teaching experience properly, moves you up one or more tiers.
Q.Are rural schools actually rural?
Yes. 'Rural' in GEPIK means eup (읍) or myeon (면) level administrative areas — small towns or farming villages. You'll find these in outer Gyeonggi counties like Paju, Yangpyeong, Pocheon, and Gapyeong. The ₩100K rural allowance is meaningful but plan on 30-90 minutes to the nearest major city.
Q.Is my GEPIK salary taxed?
Your first 2 years of GEPIK income are income-tax exempt under the tax treaty between Korea and your home country (for the 7 native English-speaking countries). After 2 years, standard Korean income tax (~6-15%) applies. National Pension and Health Insurance premiums are deducted monthly regardless.
Q.When do I actually get paid?
GEPIK salary is paid on the 17th of each month (or the preceding business day if the 17th falls on a weekend or holiday). Your first paycheck includes your base salary plus the ₩1.3M Entrance Allowance and ₩300K Settlement Allowance (for first-year teachers).
Apply at Your Highest Possible Level
Korvia reviews your credentials and documents your teaching experience properly to place you at the highest salary level you qualify for — at no cost.