Finding a suitable teaching job is worth researching carefully — you should never accept a position without a genuine interest in living in Korea, and always ask an employer clear, direct questions before accepting, since you may be relocating a long distance to work for them. Understanding the three main types of English-teaching employer is the starting point.
Hagwons (private language institutes) are the most common employers of English teachers in Korea. They are also the most likely to run into financial or management trouble, since the private ESL market is highly competitive and some institutes close within months of opening. Before accepting a hagwon job, verify it is an established, reputable institution — ask for references from current or former foreign teachers rather than relying on the school's own claims. Typical hagwon salaries are broadly comparable to public-school pay, varying by city, qualifications and experience.
Public schools, through government-run programs such as EPIK (nationwide) and GEPIK (Gyeonggi province), are generally more reliable about honouring contracts, though class sizes tend to be larger than at a hagwon. As of 2026, EPIK base salaries range roughly from 2.1 to 3.0 million KRW per month depending on qualifications, experience level, and province, with most contracts including free furnished housing, national health insurance, paid vacation, and a completion bonus; GEPIK pay runs roughly 2.2 to 2.6 million KRW per month on a similar benefits structure. These figures change with each yearly contract round, so confirm current rates directly with the program before applying.
University-affiliated language institutes have the highest eligibility requirements — typically a master's degree in TESOL plus several years of teaching experience — but usually offer the best pay and working conditions of the three options, especially outside the major cities.
