SMOE Contract Information (2026)
Key terms of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education employment contract for native English teachers.
The SMOE contract is a 12-month employment agreement with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Seoul uses its own 8-level letter-grade system (A-H) for salary classification, unlike the 5-level numbered system used by most other provinces.
Contract Terms
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months |
| Working Hours | 8 hours daily, Monday–Friday |
| Teaching Load | Maximum 22 class hours per week |
| Salary Levels | 8 levels: A (₩2.7M) through H (₩1.8M) |
| Housing | Free furnished apartment in Seoul |
| Vacation | Paid vacation during school recess periods |
| Holidays | ~16 Korean national holidays (paid) |
| Renewal | By mutual agreement; moves up salary level |
| Recruitment | Through EPIK — select Seoul as preferred province |
Seoul-Specific Notes
Level Assignment
SMOE determines your salary level based on qualifications and experience. Levels E and C have specific SMOE criteria that may differ slightly from other provinces.
Housing Location
Housing is provided near your assigned school. Seoul locations range from central districts (Gangnam, Jongno) to outer districts (Nowon, Gangbuk). All have subway access.
Contract Renewal
Renewing teachers move up one level. Consistent renewals can eventually reach Level A (₩2,700,000/month) — the highest base salary in the EPIK system.