E-2 English Teacher Pay in Korea — Salary, Deductions, Severance and Pension
What E-2 English teachers in Korea actually take home in 2026: typical salaries, deductions, housing, overtime, severance after a year, and whether you can get your national pension back by nationality.
Thousands of foreigners teach English in Korea on the E-2 visa, at hagwons (private academies) and public schools. Contracts vary a lot, but the rules on pay, insurance and severance are the same as for any employee.
What comes out of your pay
E-2 teachers are covered by health insurance and, depending on nationality, national pension. Employment insurance is usually opt-in for E-2. A typical monthly salary of ₩2,500,000 with no tax-free meal allowance looks roughly like this:
| Item | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | ₩2,500,000 |
| National pension (4.75%) | ₩118,750 |
| Health + long-term care | ₩101,670 |
| Income tax + local tax | ₩39,160 |
| Take-home | ₩2,240,420 |
Your exact numbers depend on allowances and your pension status. Check yours with the take-home pay calculator, ticking the employment insurance option if you are not enrolled.
National pension by nationality
| Nationality | Pension deducted? | Refund when leaving? |
|---|---|---|
| United States, Canada, Australia | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand | Yes | No |
| South Africa | Unclear, confirm with NPS (1355) | Not on the refund list |
If you can claim the refund, you get your share, your employer's share and interest. See the pension refund guide.
Severance after one year
If you complete a year (and teach 15+ hours a week), you are entitled to severance pay, roughly one month's salary. It is a legal right even if your contract says nothing about it. Some hagwons try to end contracts just before 12 months; keep records of your working days.
Housing, overtime and leave
- Housing provided by the school is a benefit, not cash, so it does not count toward the minimum wage. A housing allowance paid in cash does.
- Extra classes beyond your contract hours must be paid. If your total hours exceed 40 a week, overtime premiums apply at schools with 5+ employees. See the overtime guide.
- Annual leave: after one year, workplaces with 5+ employees must give at least 15 days. See the annual leave guide.
Taxes for teachers
Some tax treaties give teachers a temporary income tax exemption, usually for up to two years and with strict conditions. Whether it applies depends on your country's treaty and your employer, so ask the National Tax Service (126) before assuming it.
This guide reflects Korean laws and official notices as of 2026-10-08. Rules change, so confirm with the relevant agency before making important decisions.