Salary and Benefits

Monthly Salary

Your gross monthly salary will be determined at the start of your contract and is based upon the EPIK Pay Scale. Please note that any qualifications gained within the one year contract period will not change your pay scale within that contract period. Your pay scale will only be adjusted upon renewing your contract.

Your salary will arrive on the 25th of each month and is paid to you by the GMOE, not your school. If the 25th falls on a weekend or a public holiday, you will receive your salary on the closest preceding business day. For example, if the 25th is a Sunday, you will receive your salary two days earlier, on the Friday the 23rd.

Your salary will be subject to monthly deductions. These include taxes, health care and national pension (where applicable). These will be reflected in your monthly pay stub.

Extra Pay

In addition to overtime pay (teaching more than 22 class hours per week) you are entitled to extra pay for other work performed, including (but not limited too):

• approved classes outside of your normal work hours

• extra classes at the Sekwang School for the Visually Impaired

• weekend High School Mentoring program

• substitute teaching at the Gwangju Online English Center

Extra pay comes from a different budget, usually directly from the schools. Like bonuses and housing allowances, they will not appear on our pay stubs. However, they are still taxed and accounted for on our Year End Tax Adjustment Documents.

Private tutoring or other unapproved income-generating activities are strictly forbidden and may result in deportation.

Pay Stubs

You will receive a monthly pay stub from the GET Program Manager via email, usually on the same day that your salary is deposited. Please note that it is your responsibility to check your pay stub and note that you are being paid correctly. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact the GET Program Manager.

Tax Adjustments/Settlements

Our monthly tax withholdings and other related deductions are estimated. At the end of the year, our employer files for us what most countries would call an income tax return. In South Korea, this is referred to as the Year End Tax Settlement. A similar adjustment process is performed for those who are not renewing their contracts i.e., a "retirement tax settlement." These adjustments are shown on our pay stubs. The most common adjustments, as labeled on the pay stub are:

• Medical insurance - this is recalculated on a semi-regular basis. There are also planned rate increases over the next several years.

• Medical Insurance Adjustment* - one-time annual adjustment based on actual earnings and NHIS benefits used

• Income tax - this changes with your pay level, monthly overtime, etc.

• Income tax settlement  - one-time annual adjustment that accounts for total overtime, unpaid leave, domestic spending, rent, educational expenses, claimed credits, etc.

• Residence tax - changes in lockstep with income tax as a fixed percentage

• Long-term care - changes in lockstep with medical insurance as a fixed percentage

Bonuses and Allowances

Entrance Allowance - 1,300,000 KRW, paid one time within the first month to help cover the travel and moving costs of immigrating to South Korea. It is no longer considered a "reimbursement," meaning the amount is paid regardless of actual costs incurred. Only teachers who are coming from overseas are entitled to this allowance.

Settlement Allowance - 300,000 KRW, paid one time within the first month of your Initial Contract with the GMOE. GETs relocating from other Korean employers OEs are also entitled to this.

Housing Allowance - 450,000 KRW, paid monthly to those who request to receive this in lieu of employer-provided housing. Generally, not an option for newcomers.

Multiple Workplaces Allowance - 100,000 or 150,000KRW, paid monthly for teachers who have two  or more Designated Workplaces.

Rural Allowance - 100,000 KRW, paid monthly for teachers who are placed at legally designated small-sized rural schools.

Contract Completion Bonus - 1,300,000 KRW, paid 30 days after successful completion of a contract.

Contract Renewal Bonus - 700,000 KRW, paid 30 days after the successful completion of a renewed contract.

Other forms of pay such as the EEC, GOEC, and Coordinator allowance are