Wages & Living Costs for E-9 Workers in Korea (2026)
- 2026 minimum wage: 10,320 KRW/hour (2025: 10,030).
- Monthly (209 hours): about 2,156,880 KRW before deductions and overtime.
- You keep more than you think — the departure guarantee and return-cost insurance are money you get back when you leave.
- Deductions include national pension, health insurance, and sometimes housing/meals — know them.
- Actual pay depends on hours, overtime, night/holiday premiums and your sector.
The 2026 minimum wage
Korea sets one national minimum wage that applies to E-9 workers too. For 2026 it is 10,320 KRW per hour, up from 10,030 in 2025. Overtime, night work (usually after 10pm) and holiday work must be paid at a premium (typically 1.5×) for covered workplaces. If your payslip shows less than the minimum for ordinary hours, that is a violation you can report to 1350.
Your take-home pay (worked example)
Worked example (illustrative). Standard full-time hours are counted as 209 hours/month (40h/week plus weekly paid rest, annualised).
| Item | Amount (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Hourly wage (2026) | 10,320 |
| Monthly ordinary pay (×209) | 2,156,880 |
| + Overtime / night / holiday | Varies (paid at premium) |
| − Deductions (pension, health, etc.) | Varies |
| = Take-home | Depends on the above |
Many E-9 workers earn more than the base because sectors like manufacturing offer regular overtime. Always compare your payslip to this base to check you are paid correctly.
Estimate only. Actual pay depends on your contract, tax and deductions — not financial advice. 2026 minimum wage: 10,320 KRW/hour.
What is deducted from your pay
- National Pension (국민연금): you may be able to reclaim your contributions when you leave (lump-sum refund), depending on your country’s agreement with Korea.
- National Health Insurance (건강보험): gives you medical cover in Korea.
- Employment/industrial-accident insurance: protects you if you are hurt at work.
- Housing / meals: can be deducted only within legal limits and if agreed — check your contract.
Severance and the departure guarantee
If you work one year or more, you are generally entitled to severance pay (픶직금) — roughly one month’s average wage per year worked. For E-9 workers this is largely handled through the departure guarantee insurance (출국만기보험) your employer pays into. You claim it when you leave Korea. Do not forget it — it is often the largest single sum you take home.
Typical living costs
Costs vary a lot by region and whether housing is provided. Many E-9 jobs include or subsidise dormitory housing, which cuts your biggest expense. Budget realistically for food, phone, transport and remittance fees. Because housing is often provided, E-9 workers frequently save a high share of their income — that is the point of the program for most.
How much can you save?
If your ordinary pay is about 2.16 million KRW, you add overtime, and housing is subsidised, saving half or more is realistic for disciplined workers. Over a 4y10m stay, that compounds into serious capital — and if you also build income and Korean, it positions you for E-7-4. Treat every month as both income and a step toward staying long-term.
Sending money home safely
- Use banks or licensed remittance services, not informal money changers who promise better rates — informal transfers can be illegal and unrecoverable.
- Keep receipts; compare the total cost (fee + exchange margin), not just the headline fee.
- Open a proper Korean bank account after arrival — your employer and a foreign-worker centre can help.
What to claim when you leave Korea
| Claim | What it is |
|---|---|
| Departure guarantee (출국만기보험) | Your severance-style payout |
| Return cost insurance (꺦국비용보험) | Covers your flight home |
| National Pension lump-sum | Refund of pension contributions (if eligible by treaty) |
| Any unpaid wages / holiday pay | Claim before you go — use 1350 if refused |
Start the paperwork before your last day. Once you leave without claiming, recovering money is much harder.
What changed in 2026?
The minimum wage rose to 10,320 KRW/hour. Deduction rates and the pension lump-sum rules are set nationally and can change — confirm your pension refund eligibility (it depends on your home country’s agreement with Korea) with the National Pension Service before departure.
FAQ
What is the 2026 minimum wage?
10,320 KRW per hour.
What is my monthly base pay?
About 2,156,880 KRW for 209 standard hours, before overtime and deductions.
Do I get severance?
Yes if you work a year or more — mostly via the departure guarantee insurance.
Can I get my pension back?
Often yes, as a lump-sum when you leave, if your country has an agreement with Korea.
Is overtime paid extra?
Yes — typically 1.5× for overtime, night and holiday work in covered workplaces.
Can my employer deduct for housing and food?
Only within legal limits and if agreed in your contract.
What if I am paid below minimum wage?
Report it to the labour hotline 1350; keep your payslips as evidence.
How much can I realistically save?
With subsidised housing and overtime, half or more of income is achievable.
How should I send money home?
Through banks or licensed services — never informal changers.
What must I claim before leaving?
Departure guarantee, return-cost insurance, pension lump-sum and any unpaid wages.
Official sources
Related guides: E-9 / EPS hub · EPS-TOPIK · How to apply · Visa comparison · E-9 → E-7-4 · Wages & living · Find a job.
Official sources: EPS / HRD Korea, HiKorea, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Pension, National Health Insurance. Information current as of 2026 and subject to change — verify before you act. After arriving in Korea, find jobs in English on 114114AI.