In 2024, the average monthly salary of regular employees in South Korea's capital, Seoul, amounted to about **** million South Korean won, down from about **** million won in the previous year. This put Seoul's salary level significantly above the national average.

In 2023, the average monthly salary of a male employee in South Korea was around **** million South Korean won. A female employee earned around **** million won, significantly less than a male employee. This disparity highlights a significant gender pay gap in the country.

In 2023, the average monthly salary of a male employee in South Korea was about **** million South Korean won, with men in their fifties earning the highest average wage of all age groups at about **** million won. This was closely followed by employees in their forties, who earned an average of **** million won.

Key information about South Korea Monthly Earnings

• South Korea Monthly Earnings stood at 3,200 USD in Dec 2024, compared with the previous figure of 2,724 USD in Nov 2024
• South Korea Monthly Earnings data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2008 to Dec 2024, with an average number of 2,747 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 3,948 USD in Jan 2022 and a record low of 1,673 USD in Nov 2008

CEIC converts Monthly Earnings into USD. The Ministry of Labour provides Average Monthly Earnings in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Monthly Earnings exclude Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sectors. Monthly Earnings prior to January 2020 cover businesses with 1 or more employees and are based on the 9th Korean Standard Industry Clasification (KSIC). Monthly Earnings prior to January 2011 cover businesses with 5 or more employees and are based on the 9th Korean Standard Industry Clasification (KSIC).


Further information about South Korea Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, South Korea Population reached 52 million people in Dec 2024
• Unemployment Rate of South Korea dropped to 3 % in Jan 2025
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 63 % in Jan 2025

Wages in Manufacturing in South Korea increased to 5582097 KRW/Month in the first quarter of 2025 from 5150250 KRW/Month in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Korea Total Monthly Wages in Manufacturing - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Wages in South Korea increased to 4830873 KRW/Month in the first quarter of 2025 from 4491305 KRW/Month in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Korea Total Wages - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, employees in managerial positions in South Korea received the highest salaries of all occupational groups, with an average salary of around ***** million South Korean won per month. Professionals followed in second place with a salary of about **** million won.

South Korea Minimum Wage: Monthly data was reported at 2,096,270.000 KRW in Dec 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2,096,270.000 KRW for Nov 2025. South Korea Minimum Wage: Monthly data is updated monthly, averaging 1,808,895.000 KRW from Jan 2016 (Median) to Dec 2025, with 120 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,096,270.000 KRW in Dec 2025 and a record low of 1,260,270.000 KRW in Dec 2016. South Korea Minimum Wage: Monthly data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Labour. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.G072: Minimum Wage.

In 2023, the average monthly salary of a female employee in South Korea was about **** million South Korean won. Women in their forties earned the highest on average, at around **** million won. The average salary of South Korean women was far below that of men.

South Korea HIES: AS: 2 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data was reported at 4,706,229.721 KRW in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,814,097.671 KRW for Sep 2024. South Korea HIES: AS: 2 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data is updated quarterly, averaging 4,198,559.577 KRW from Mar 2019 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,814,097.671 KRW in Sep 2024 and a record low of 3,778,131.454 KRW in Dec 2019. South Korea HIES: AS: 2 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H082: 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey: 2 or more Members: Salary and Wage Earner HH: Nominal: by Quintile.

The latest data indicates that the average yearly salary in South Korea is approximately KRW 45,000,000. This figure varies significantly based on location and industry, with Seoul and other major cities typically offering higher salaries. The median monthly gross salary is estimated at KRW 3,750,000, with considerable variations between regions.

South Korea HIES: UH: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2015p data was reported at 5,681,115.979 KRW in Sep 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,450,534.743 KRW for Jun 2023. South Korea HIES: UH: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2015p data is updated quarterly, averaging 5,385,356.409 KRW from Mar 2019 (Median) to Sep 2023, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,852,400.852 KRW in Mar 2023 and a record low of 5,134,164.079 KRW in Jun 2019. South Korea HIES: UH: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2015p data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H092: 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey: 2 or more Members: Urban Households: Real: 2015p.

In 2023, the average monthly salary of employees in their forties working for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea amounted to around **** million South Korean won, the highest across all age groups. This was followed by employees in their fifties with about 3.3 million won.

South Korea HIES: AS: 5 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data was reported at 12,926,396.465 KRW in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13,762,049.414 KRW for Sep 2024. South Korea HIES: AS: 5 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data is updated quarterly, averaging 11,810,986.647 KRW from Mar 2019 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,665,576.683 KRW in Mar 2023 and a record low of 10,152,563.624 KRW in Dec 2019. South Korea HIES: AS: 5 Quintile: Average Monthly Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H082: 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey: 2 or more Members: Salary and Wage Earner HH: Nominal: by Quintile.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2021, around **** percent of respondents stated that they were dissatisfied with their current monthly salary because the absolute salary level was low. About **** percent stated that higher salaries are always better, while **** percent felt that other employers would pay more for the same work.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Compensation: Earnings: Private Sector: Monthly for Korea (LCEAPR03KRQ661N) from Q1 1989 to Q3 2023 about Korea, compensation, sector, earnings, and private.

South Korea HIES: AS: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2020p data was reported at 6,077,789.262 KRW in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6,340,829.932 KRW for Sep 2024. South Korea HIES: AS: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2020p data is updated quarterly, averaging 5,943,394.490 KRW from Mar 2019 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,607,543.812 KRW in Mar 2023 and a record low of 5,575,652.800 KRW in Dec 2019. South Korea HIES: AS: Average Monthly Income (AMI): 2020p data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.H083: 2019 Household Income and Expenditure Survey: 2 or more Members: Salary and Wage Earner HH: Real: 2020p.

Key information about South Korea Household Income per Capita

• South Korea Annual Household Income per Capita reached 19,208.928 USD in Dec 2024, compared with the previous value of 19,230.954 USD in Dec 2023.
• South Korea Annual Household Income per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2003 to Dec 2024, with an averaged value of 14,290.376 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19,230.954 USD in Dec 2023 and a record low of 7,685.194 USD in Dec 2003.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of South Korea dropped 0.473 % YoY in May 2023.

CEIC calculates Annual Household Income per Capita from quarterly Monthly Household Income multiplied by 3 and quarterly Average Household Size and converts it into USD. Statistics Korea provides Household Income in local currency and Average Household Size. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Household Income excludes single person and farm households. Household Income per Capita prior to 2019 is based on old methodology.

In 2023, wage and salary workers in their fifties had the highest average monthly income at large companies, at around *** million South Korean won. At small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employees in their forties had the highest average income, at around **** million won per month.

Korea Employment: Wage and Salary Workers: Daily Workers data was reported at 1,475.000 Person th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,463.000 Person th for May 2018. Korea Employment: Wage and Salary Workers: Daily Workers data is updated monthly, averaging 1,789.500 Person th from Jul 1982 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 432 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,555.000 Person th in Jul 2002 and a record low of 750.000 Person th in Feb 1983. Korea Employment: Wage and Salary Workers: Daily Workers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Korea. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.G029: Employment: By Status of Workers.