Salary Intelligence
Salaries in South Korea by profession
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in South Korea — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2024 data).
What is a good salary in South Korea?
Key facts
- National median: ~$25,142 gross ~$21,520 after tax (2024 data, 86% kept).
- Highest-paying role: CTO / Technology Director ~$109,721/yr net for a mid-level cto / technology director.
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$28,285 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2024)
$25,142 gross · $21,520 after tax · $28,285 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in South Korea
By take-home, the highest pay in South Korea is estimated for a 🏢 cto / technology director — $109,721 net after tax (6.8× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $170,104 | $109,721 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $139,614 | $93,236 |
| AI Engineer | $138,309 | $92,530 |
| Engineering Manager | $124,131 | $84,864 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $121,040 | $83,164 |
| Software Engineer | $102,326 | $72,441 |
| Data Engineer | $100,628 | $71,468 |
| Cloud Engineer | $96,491 | $69,097 |
| DevOps Engineer | $96,203 | $68,932 |
| Product Manager | $95,515 | $68,538 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $88,828 | $64,706 |
| Dentist | $86,518 | $63,600 |
| Management Consultant | $83,950 | $62,129 |
| Data Scientist | $83,319 | $61,767 |
| Pharmacist | $68,706 | $52,508 |
| Remote Freelancer | $67,201 | $51,456 |
| Sales Manager | $65,515 | $50,276 |
| General Manager | $63,695 | $49,003 |
| UX Designer | $62,069 | $47,866 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $60,941 | $47,076 |
| Marketing Manager | $59,559 | $46,110 |
| Project Manager | $59,559 | $46,110 |
| Civil Engineer | $58,164 | $45,134 |
| Business Analyst | $54,643 | $42,762 |
| Finance Analyst | $54,554 | $42,704 |
| Operations Manager | $53,288 | $41,879 |
| Content Writer | $51,394 | $40,644 |
| HR Manager | $48,403 | $38,810 |
| University Lecturer | $46,136 | $37,260 |
| Physiotherapist | $45,604 | $36,863 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,051 | $32,720 |
| Accountant | $38,456 | $31,530 |
| Hospitality Manager | $35,067 | $29,001 |
| Nurse | $31,954 | $26,666 |
| Chef | $30,687 | $25,705 |
| Teacher | $29,509 | $24,816 |
| Electrician | $28,490 | $24,047 |
| Plumber | $28,409 | $23,986 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ South Korea's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise.
South Korea salary estimates · Source: South Korea national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2024) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Where the money goes: CTO / Technology Director in South Korea
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$170,104
- Income tax−$60,383
- Net (after tax)$109,721
- Local prices+$34,492
- Real value$144,213
Keep rate 65% · net $109,721 · real value $144,213 (your money goes further here)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $170,104 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$60,383 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 65%. |
| Net (after tax) | $109,721 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| + Local prices (PPP) | +$34,492 | Cheaper than the US — your net buys more. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $144,213 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
Thinking about moving to South Korea?
South Korea salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in South Korea?▾
The national median is about $25,142 gross (~$21,520 after tax) for 2024. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $76,805 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in South Korea?▾
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in South Korea is estimated for cto / technology director, senior software engineer, ai engineer. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in South Korea?▾
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using South Korea's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
How reliable are these South Korea salary figures?▾
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2024 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.