Minimum Wage in South Korea

The minimum wage is ₩10,320 an hour in 2026, or ₩2,156,880 a month for a 40-hour week (209 paid hours including the weekly paid holiday).

An hour ₩10,320

A week ₩497,742

A month ₩2,156,880 ≈ $1,629

A year ₩25,882,560

Minimum wage, since 1 January 2026. The legal rate is set an hour (highlighted); the others assume 40 hours a week. All amounts are before tax.

Confirmed: ₩10,700 an hour from 1 January 2027

The minimum wage rises 3.7% to ₩10,700 an hour (₩2,236,300 a month) on 1 January 2027. That is a rise of 3.7%, to about ₩2,236,300 a month full-time.

Minimum wage calculator for South Korea

Change the hours to see what the minimum pays for part-time work or overtime, or enter your own hourly pay.

Pay an hour (KRW) Hours a week

A week: ₩412,800
A month: ₩1,788,800
A year: ₩21,465,600

Months are 52 weeks ÷ 12. Paid holidays, overtime premiums and extra monthly payments are not included.

Who is covered

National minimum

It applies to every business with employees, including part-time and foreign workers. Trainees in their first three months on a contract of a year or more can be paid 10% less.

Next change

The minimum wage rises 3.7% to ₩10,700 an hour (₩2,236,300 a month) on 1 January 2027.

Checked 23 October 2026 against labour ministries, official gazettes and recent reporting. Your own minimum can depend on your age, sector, region or contract, so check with the labour authority or your union. This is a summary, not legal advice. Sources: Korea Herald: 2027 minimum wage set at 10,700 won.

Salary calculator

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Working days in South Korea

Business days and hours by month this year.

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