Teaching Jobs in Korea 2026 — Every Program, One Resource
EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE, and hagwon teaching jobs compared in one place. Salary ₩2.0–3.5 million, furnished housing, 10–26 vacation days, E-2 visa support. Korvia has placed 10,000+ English teachers in Korea since 2006 — and every application is free.
5 Programs
Major Paths
₩2.0–3.5M
Monthly Salary
E-2 Visa
Sponsored
10,000+
Teachers Placed
Teaching Jobs in Korea — The Landscape in 2026
Korea is one of the largest ESL job markets in Asia. Teaching jobs Korea offers for foreign English teachers fall into two broad categories: public school programs run by regional offices of education, and private academies (hagwons) that hire independently. Every E-2 teaching position — public or private — uses the same E-2 Foreign Language Instructor visa issued by Korea's immigration authority (hikorea.go.kr).
Public school programs are run by regional offices of education. The largest is EPIK (English Program in Korea), a Ministry of Education initiative administered by the National Institute for International Education (epik.go.kr) that places teachers nationwide. Seoul has its own program (SMOE), Gyeonggi Province has GEPIK, and Gyeongnam has GOE. Each runs on a fixed Spring/Fall intake cycle.
Hagwons are privately owned after-school academies — tens of thousands exist nationwide — and hire year-round. Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor (moel.go.kr) oversees foreign worker conditions. Hagwons give teachers the most flexibility in choosing the city, student age group, and start date, but contract quality varies — which is why working through a vetted recruiter matters.
The 5 Major Teaching Paths in Korea
Every foreign English teaching job in Korea falls into one of these five program types. Click any card to read the full program page.
EPIK
Public — NationwideEnglish Program in Korea
Korea's flagship public school program, administered by the Ministry of Education's National Institute for International Education (epik.go.kr). Teachers placed in metropolitan and rural districts across all nine provinces. Korvia is EPIK's official recruiting partner.
₩2,000,000 – ₩3,000,000
Public schools nationwide
SMOE
Public — SeoulSeoul Metropolitan Office of Education
Public school teaching jobs in Seoul. SMOE places native English teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools across all 25 Seoul districts. Administered directly by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
₩2,300,000 – ₩3,000,000
Seoul only
GEPIK
Public — GyeonggiGyeonggi English Program in Korea
Public school teaching positions in Gyeonggi-do — the province surrounding Seoul. Placements include Suwon, Seongnam, Goyang, Bucheon, and other satellite cities within easy reach of central Seoul by subway.
₩2,100,000 – ₩2,500,000
Gyeonggi Province
GOE
Public — GyeongnamGyeongsangnam-do Office of Education
Public school teaching jobs in Gyeongsangnam-do (southeastern Korea, including Changwon, Jinju, and Geoje). A lower cost of living than Seoul and strong savings potential make GOE a popular choice for teachers prioritizing savings.
₩2,000,000 – ₩2,700,000
Gyeongnam Province
Hagwons
Private — FlexiblePrivate Academies (학원)
Private, for-profit academies offering after-school instruction. Hagwon teaching jobs in Korea run year-round with flexible start dates, city choice, and student age-group choice. Korvia screens every partner academy for contract compliance.
₩2,100,000 – ₩3,500,000
Private — nationwide
Compare at a Glance
Side-by-side comparison of salary, schedule, vacation, housing, and application path for all 5 teaching jobs Korea offers in 2026.
| Program | Salary | Vacation | Schedule | Housing | Application Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPIK Public schools nationwide | ₩2,000,000 – ₩3,000,000 | 26 paid days | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Free furnished apartment or housing allowance | Apply via Korvia → |
| SMOE Seoul only | ₩2,300,000 – ₩3,000,000 | 26 paid days | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Free furnished apartment (single) in Seoul | Apply via Korvia → |
| GEPIK Gyeonggi Province | ₩2,100,000 – ₩2,500,000 | 26 paid days | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Free furnished apartment or housing allowance | Apply via Korvia → |
| GOE Gyeongnam Province | ₩2,000,000 – ₩2,700,000 | 26 paid days | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Free furnished apartment | Apply via Korvia → |
| Hagwons Private — nationwide | ₩2,100,000 – ₩3,500,000 | 10–11 paid days | Typically 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (after-school) | Provided or housing allowance | Apply via Korvia → |
- Salary
- ₩2,000,000 – ₩3,000,000
- Vacation
- 26 paid days
- Schedule
- Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Housing
- Free furnished apartment or housing allowance
- Intake
- Spring (March) & Fall (September)
- Salary
- ₩2,300,000 – ₩3,000,000
- Vacation
- 26 paid days
- Schedule
- Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Housing
- Free furnished apartment (single) in Seoul
- Intake
- Spring (March) & Fall (September)
- Salary
- ₩2,100,000 – ₩2,500,000
- Vacation
- 26 paid days
- Schedule
- Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Housing
- Free furnished apartment or housing allowance
- Intake
- Spring (March) & Fall (September)
- Salary
- ₩2,000,000 – ₩2,700,000
- Vacation
- 26 paid days
- Schedule
- Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Housing
- Free furnished apartment
- Intake
- Spring (March) & Fall (September)
- Salary
- ₩2,100,000 – ₩3,500,000
- Vacation
- 10–11 paid days
- Schedule
- Typically 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM (after-school)
- Housing
- Provided or housing allowance
- Intake
- Year-round
How to Choose the Right Teaching Job in Korea
Not sure where to start? Match your priorities — location, schedule, savings, or flexibility — to the program that fits.
Choose EPIK if…
You want the most teaching jobs Korea offers, nationwide placement options, the longest vacation (26 days), and the highest job security. Applications open in two cycles per year. Entry-level teachers welcome.
EPIK details →Choose SMOE if…
Seoul is a must. You prioritize living in the capital with easy access to nightlife, international communities, and transport. Competitive applicant pool — strong interview preparation matters.
SMOE details →Choose GEPIK if…
You want Seoul-adjacent living with a quieter lifestyle. Gyeonggi satellite cities like Suwon, Seongnam, and Bucheon are 20–40 minutes from central Seoul by subway, with lower cost of living.
GEPIK details →Choose GOE if…
You prioritize savings potential. Gyeongnam Province has a noticeably lower cost of living than Seoul, and regional placements often come with furnished housing in newer buildings.
GOE details →Choose a hagwon if…
You want to pick your exact city, choose your age group (kindergarten, after-school, or adult), and start year-round rather than waiting for the public school cycle. Vetting the school matters — use a verified recruiter.
Hagwon details →Qualifications Required for All Teaching Jobs in Korea
Every teaching job in Korea that sponsors an E-2 visa shares the same baseline requirements. These are set by Korea's immigration authority (hikorea.go.kr) and apply whether you're applying to EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE, or a hagwon:
E-2 eligible nationality
Korea's E-2 Foreign Language Instructor visa is open to citizens of seven countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Requirements are set by Korea's immigration authority (HiKorea).
Bachelor's degree
From a recognized 4-year university, in any major. Your original diploma must be apostilled in your country of citizenship for the E-2 visa application.
100+ hour TEFL / TESOL / CELTA
Required for all EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, and GOE applicants (or an education-related bachelor's degree). Strongly recommended for hagwon applicants.
Criminal Background Check (apostilled)
National-level CRC from your country of citizenship, apostilled. Must be dated within six months of visa application.
E-2 teaching visa
All teaching jobs in Korea for foreign nationals use the E-2 visa, issued after in-person registration at a Korean consulate. HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) is the official source for current E-2 requirements.
Health check (on arrival)
A medical examination is completed within 90 days of arrival in Korea as part of the E-2 alien registration process.
Teaching experience
Not required for public school programs or most hagwon positions. First-time teachers are welcome across all five program types.
Apply for Teaching Jobs in Korea Through Korvia
Korvia Consulting has been placing English teachers in Korea since 2006 and is the official recruiting partner of the EPIK program. One free application with Korvia covers every teaching path in Korea — EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE, and vetted hagwons — and a dedicated recruiter coaches you through each interview. 10,000+ teachers placed, 20 years of continuous partnership with Korea's Ministry of Education programs.
100% Free for Teachers
Korvia is paid by the programs and schools we place teachers with. Our full application, document review, interview prep, visa support, and on-arrival assistance costs you nothing.
One Application, Every Path
Submit once and Korvia matches your profile with EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE, and a curated hagwon shortlist in parallel — maximizing your chance of placement.
EPIK Official Partner Since 2006
Korvia is the official recruiting partner of the English Program in Korea, with two decades of continuous placement data and direct coordination with EPIK's interview team.
Hagwon Screening
Every private academy in the Korvia network is screened for education-office registration, salary payment history, and contract compliance — removing the biggest risk of hagwon hiring.
Dedicated Recruiter
A single Korvia recruiter coordinates your entire process — from first call through airport pickup in Korea — so nothing falls through the cracks across five different programs.
On-Ground Support
Korean-speaking staff in Seoul can help mediate school issues, visa questions, and contract renewals once you're in Korea. 94% of Korvia-placed hagwon teachers complete full 12-month contracts.
Teaching Jobs Korea — FAQ
What are the most common teaching jobs in Korea for foreign English teachers?
The five main paths are EPIK (public schools nationwide), SMOE (Seoul public schools), GEPIK (Gyeonggi public schools), GOE (Gyeongnam public schools), and hagwons (private academies). Together these programs account for nearly all E-2 teaching jobs in Korea. EPIK is the largest, administered directly by Korea's Ministry of Education via the National Institute for International Education (epik.go.kr). Hagwons are the most numerous and hire year-round.
Which teaching jobs in Korea pay the most?
Salary ranges overlap substantially. Public school programs (EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE) typically pay ₩2.0–3.0 million per month, with higher pay for advanced qualifications (master's degree, teaching license, multiple TEFL certifications, or years of classroom experience). Top-tier hagwons — English kindergartens, adult conversation schools, and SAT/TOEFL test-prep academies — can reach ₩2.8–3.5 million, but vacation is shorter and the workload is heavier. For salary detail by region and qualification level, see Korvia's EPIK salary levels page.
What qualifications do I need to teach in Korea in 2026?
To qualify for Korea's E-2 teaching visa, you must: (1) hold citizenship in one of seven countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa), (2) have a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year university, (3) obtain a 100+ hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (or an education-related degree), and (4) submit a clean, apostilled criminal background check. Requirements are set by Korea's immigration authority (hikorea.go.kr) and Ministry of Employment and Labor (moel.go.kr).
When do teaching jobs in Korea start?
Public school programs (EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE) follow a fixed cycle: Spring intake contracts start in early March (applications July–November of the previous year), and Fall intake contracts start in late August or early September (applications January–May of the same year). Hagwons hire year-round — you can start any month of the year depending on open positions.
How much does it cost to apply for teaching jobs in Korea through Korvia?
Nothing. Korvia has been an official EPIK recruiting partner since 2006 and is paid by partner programs and schools, not by applicants. Your application — including recruiter coaching, document review, interview preparation, visa support, and on-arrival assistance — is completely free for teachers.
Can I apply to multiple teaching programs at once?
Yes. Most Korvia applicants apply to several public school programs in parallel (EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK, GOE) plus a shortlist of vetted hagwons. One Korvia application form covers all of them — we match your profile with the programs most likely to accept you, then coach you through each interview separately.
Start Your Teaching Career in Korea
Submit one free application. Korvia matches your profile with every teaching job in Korea you qualify for — public school and vetted hagwon — and coaches you through each interview. 20 years of placement data, EPIK official partner, completely free.