Teach English in South Korea

TEFL Jobs In South Korea

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL Jobs In South Korea

Yes, you can teach English in South Korea, one of the best places in the world for new teachers to save money. Most jobs are in public schools through EPIK, paying roughly ₩2.1 to ₩2.8 million a month, or in private academies called hagwons, typically ₩2.3 to ₩2.5 million. Both usually include free housing and a month’s severance pay. You need a bachelor’s degree and a passport from one of seven English speaking countries for the E-2 visa.

Teaching English in South Korea at a glance

Main employers	Public schools through EPIK and regional programmes, hagwons (private academies), universities
EPIK pay	Roughly ₩2.1 to ₩2.8 million a month, set by qualification level and province
Hagwon pay	Typically ₩2.3 to ₩2.5 million a month for new teachers, more in some cities
Usual benefits	Free furnished housing or a housing allowance, flight support, health insurance and one month’s severance after a full year
Visa	E-2 foreign language instructor visa
Eligible passports	US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
Degree required	Yes, a bachelor’s degree in any subject
Hiring	EPIK recruits for spring and autumn intakes; hagwons hire year round

Who can teach English in South Korea?

The E-2 visa sets clear rules. You must be a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, and hold a bachelor’s degree from one of those countries. Applicants also need a clean national criminal record check, usually apostilled, and a health check. Without a degree, the E-2 route is closed: read can I teach English in Korea without a degree for the limited alternatives.

EPIK or hagwon: which is better?

	EPIK public schools	Hagwons
Pay	Set scale by level and province	Varies by school, sometimes higher
Hours	Daytime school hours, Monday to Friday	Afternoons and evenings, sometimes Saturdays
Holidays	More paid vacation, set by the school calendar	Usually fewer days, often fixed by the academy
Location choice	You state preferences; placement is decided for you	You choose the city and school
Consistency	Standardised contracts and support	Quality varies, so research employers carefully

Read our full explainer, what is EPIK, for the application process, levels and intakes.

How much do English teachers earn in South Korea?

EPIK salaries are set by each regional Office of Education and depend on your qualification level, from roughly ₩2.1 million to ₩2.8 million a month, with rural and multi school allowances on top. Hagwons typically start new teachers at around ₩2.3 to ₩2.5 million a month, and universities pay roughly ₩2.5 to ₩4 million but usually without housing.

The package matters as much as the salary. Free housing removes the biggest living cost, and Korean labour law requires employers to pay one month’s base salary as severance after a contract of a year or more. Teachers also contribute to Korea’s national pension and health insurance. Because rent is usually covered, many teachers save a substantial part of their salary. For pay city by city, see which cities in South Korea pay English teachers the most.

What TEFL certification do you need for South Korea?

EPIK asks for a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours for applicants whose degree is not in education, and a certificate also moves you up EPIK’s salary levels. Most hagwons expect one too. Our guide to the best TEFL certification for South Korea explains what employers accept. Our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course clears the EPIK requirement, and the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register.

When should you apply?

EPIK spring intake. Applications open in the autumn of the year before for a start around February or March.
EPIK autumn intake. Applications open in the spring for a start around August or September.
Hagwons. Hire year round, with peaks before March and September.

Document preparation, including apostilled criminal record checks and degrees, can take weeks, so start early. Track EPIK windows in The Hire Wire.

What is it like teaching in South Korea?

Korean students are typically respectful and hardworking, and English matters a great deal for exams and careers. In public schools you usually co-teach with a Korean teacher, and in hagwons you teach small groups in the afternoon and evening. Hierarchy and politeness matter in the workplace, punctuality is expected, and a few Korean phrases go a long way. Learn more in 25 fun facts about South Korea every English teacher should know.

Teaching in South Korea: read next

The public school route: what is EPIK.
Pay by city: which cities in South Korea pay the most.
Choosing a course: the best TEFL certification for South Korea.
Try it first: our short term teaching internship in South Korea.
Comparing East Asia? See English teacher salaries in Japan and our guide to teaching English in China.
Compare pay in our TEFL Salary Index and check entry rules on the Visa Desk.

Get TEFL qualified for South Korea

Last updated: 1 October 2026. EPIK pay is set by regional Offices of Education and reviewed each intake, and hagwon and university figures are approximate typical ranges. Confirm current terms on the official EPIK website and with employers before you apply.

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Living costs

As with most countries, the salary will vary depending on the hiring institution. As previously mentioned, if you are a newly qualified teacher, you will find the best wages on offer in private schools. Public schools will pay you less. However, you will also have to work fewer hours, so it could well be a sacrifice worth making. The good news is that English teachers in South Korea will find that both private and public schools provide you with accommodation. Homes tend to be small. Generally, they offer self-contained studios, but that is what most of the housing is like, with the smallest being located in Seoul. However, there is so much to see and do in the area you will only be sleeping and eating there.

Living costs are similar to most places; it is more expensive in the larger cities but cheer outside. However, you do not have to worry about rent, so your expenditure is limited to utilities and bills. Many places also offer a ‘free’ month pay for completing a 12-month contract. Generally, you will spend around 80% of your wages on traveling and living.

Accommodation: $660–$950/£495–£740
Utilities: $110–$185/£82.50–£144
Health insurance: Cost of a typical visit to a GP: $22–$37/£16.50–£28.85
Monthly transport pass: $60–$90/£45–£70
Basic dinner out for two: $37–$52/£27.75–£40.50
Cappuccino in ex-pat area: $3/£2.25
A beer in a pub: $3-$4/£2.25–£3.12
1 litre of milk: $1.85–$2.20/£1.40–£1.72

TEFL Jobs In South Korea: KEY POINTS

AVERAGE SALARY

₩2.1–2.8 million a month, usually with free housing

EDUCATION NEEDED

Prerequisite University Degree

TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120 Hour TEFL Certificate

MAIN JOB TYPES

Private Schools

KEY FACTS

Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Most English teachers in South Korea find work in Busan and Seoul, but there are TEFL jobs to be found in rural areas and smaller cities to suit your lifestyle desires.
The average salary for EFL teachers: Monthly incomes vary from around ₩2,000,000–₩2,500,000/$1,500–$1,950/£1,120–£1,450
TEFL qualification requirements: Native English speakers are preferred, and you need a bachelor's degree, TEFL certificate and pass background checks before you are allowed to work.
Education requirement: You will not be accepted in public schools if you are older than 62
Currency: The currency is the South Korean won (₩)
Language: The official language is Korean, you are not expected to be fluent, but good manners dictate you should learn some basics before arriving.
Previous teaching experience: Private recruiters are an excellent source of knowledge and support for finding a role in South Korea.

South Korea is a very safe and welcoming destination, unlike the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which neighbours it to the North. Found on the southernmost point, South Korea is kept safe by the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). There is a very large ex-pat community awaiting you if you decide to teach English in South Korea. There are around 24,000 foreign teachers in the country at any one time. So, you will have plenty of new friends, and you can ask questions from those who have been there longer. The expert community is very sociable, and even if you are not working with other English teachers, you will easily be able to find them and meet up outside of work.

Facts about South Korea

LANGUAGE

Korean

POPULATION

51.67 Million

TEFL TEACHERS DEMAND

High

CURRENCY

South Korean won

CAPITAL

Seoul

OUR SOUTH KOREA TEFL RATING

3.8/5

TEFL Jobs In South Korea: FAQS

How much can I make as an English teacher in South Korea?

EPIK public school teachers earn roughly ₩2.1 to ₩2.8 million a month depending on qualification level and province, and hagwons typically pay new teachers ₩2.3 to ₩2.5 million. Both usually provide free housing or a housing allowance and one month’s severance pay after a full year, so many teachers save a large share of their salary.

Can I teach English in South Korea without a degree?

No, not on the standard route. The E-2 teaching visa requires a completed bachelor’s degree, and an associate degree does not qualify. The only lawful alternatives are residency based visas such as those for spouses of Korean citizens or ethnic Koreans, so most teachers without a degree look at other countries instead.

What requirements do I need to meet to teach English in South Korea?

For the E-2 visa you need citizenship of the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, a bachelor’s degree from one of those countries, a clean apostilled criminal record check and a health check. EPIK also asks for a TEFL certificate of at least 100 hours if your degree is not in education.