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Engineering Average Salaries in Korea (South) 2023

How much money does a person working in Engineering make in Korea (South)?


Average Monthly Salary
3,280,000 KRW
( 39,400,000 KRW yearly)

LOW
1,040,000
KRW
AVERAGE
3,280,000
KRW
HIGH
6,940,000
KRW

A person working in Engineering in Korea (South) typically earns around 3,280,000 KRW per month. Salaries range from 1,040,000 KRW (lowest average) to 6,940,000 KRW (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).

This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different Engineering careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.

Salaries for specific jobs

Job TitleAverage Salary
Acoustics Engineer3,310,000 KRW
Assembly Engineering Technician2,710,000 KRW
Assistant Chief Engineer3,980,000 KRW
Associate Engineer3,070,000 KRW
Autocad Operator2,200,000 KRW
Automation Engineer3,890,000 KRW
Avionic System Support Engineer3,270,000 KRW
Biochemical Engineer3,250,000 KRW
BMS Engineer3,290,000 KRW
Bridge and Lock Tender1,960,000 KRW
Broadcast Engineer3,360,000 KRW
CAD Design Engineer3,620,000 KRW
CAD Designer2,230,000 KRW
CAE Engineer3,340,000 KRW
Ceramics Engineer3,300,000 KRW
Civil Engineer3,780,000 KRW
Commissioning Engineer3,280,000 KRW
Communications Engineer3,760,000 KRW
Condition Monitoring Engineer3,080,000 KRW
Contract Associate Engineer3,310,000 KRW
Control Systems Engineer3,610,000 KRW
Controls Engineer3,570,000 KRW
Controls Software Engineer2,970,000 KRW
Corrosion Engineer3,210,000 KRW
Design Engineer3,800,000 KRW
Drafter2,290,000 KRW
Drafting Manager4,260,000 KRW
Drilling Engineer3,320,000 KRW
Electrical Draughtsman1,820,000 KRW
Electrical Engineer3,810,000 KRW
Electrical Engineering Manager5,050,000 KRW
Electromechanical Engineering Technologist3,770,000 KRW
Electromechanical Equipment Assembler1,870,000 KRW
Energy Engineer3,600,000 KRW
Engine Assembler1,570,000 KRW
Engineer3,770,000 KRW
Engineering Account Manager3,960,000 KRW
Engineering Chief Designer4,200,000 KRW
Engineering Consultant4,870,000 KRW
Engineering Key Account Manager5,140,000 KRW
Engineering Lab Technician3,290,000 KRW
Engineering Planning Manager5,160,000 KRW
Engineering Production Manager6,480,000 KRW
Engineering Project Analyst4,220,000 KRW
Engineering Project Coordinator 4,010,000 KRW
Engineering Project Director7,300,000 KRW
Engineering Project Manager4,990,000 KRW
Engineering Research and Development Manager5,620,000 KRW
Engineering Safety Coordinator2,820,000 KRW
Engineering Sales Manager4,860,000 KRW
Engineering Technician2,770,000 KRW
Engineering Technologist2,810,000 KRW
Environmental Engineer3,540,000 KRW
Equipment Engineer3,340,000 KRW
Equipment Engineering Manager4,900,000 KRW
Estimator3,090,000 KRW
Fabrication Specialist2,440,000 KRW
Fabricator1,590,000 KRW
Facade Engineer3,330,000 KRW
Fiber Analyst2,110,000 KRW
Field Engineer3,540,000 KRW
Field Engineering Manager5,840,000 KRW
Fire Engineer3,430,000 KRW
Fitter and Turner1,110,000 KRW
Forestry Strategic Planner4,250,000 KRW
Generation Engineer3,580,000 KRW
Genetic Engineer3,920,000 KRW
Geological Engineer3,490,000 KRW
Geotechnical Engineer3,730,000 KRW
Heavy Equipment Mechanic1,920,000 KRW
Highway Engineer3,550,000 KRW
HSE Professional3,140,000 KRW
HVAC Engineer3,840,000 KRW
HVAC Supervisor3,210,000 KRW
Industrial Engineer3,520,000 KRW
Industrial Engineering Technologist3,560,000 KRW
Instrument Engineer3,330,000 KRW
Instrumentation and Control Engineer3,510,000 KRW
Instrumentation Engineer3,490,000 KRW
Instrumentation Manager3,610,000 KRW
Irrigation Engineer3,600,000 KRW
Licensed Aircraft Engineer3,650,000 KRW
Locomotive Engineer3,350,000 KRW
Maintenance Engineer3,190,000 KRW
Maintenance Fitter1,270,000 KRW
Maintenance Manager3,380,000 KRW
Manufacturing Engineer3,320,000 KRW
Marine Engineer3,520,000 KRW
Materials Engineer3,480,000 KRW
Materials Researcher3,360,000 KRW
Materials Technician2,480,000 KRW
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer3,900,000 KRW
Mechanical Design Engineer3,930,000 KRW
Mechanical Designer2,920,000 KRW
Mechanical Engineer3,830,000 KRW
Mechanical Engineering Manager5,120,000 KRW
Mechanical Inspector3,530,000 KRW
Mechatronics Engineer3,950,000 KRW
Mining Engineer3,540,000 KRW
Oil and Petrochemical Engineer3,700,000 KRW
Optical Engineer3,460,000 KRW
Optical Instrument Assembler1,830,000 KRW
PCB Assembler1,320,000 KRW
Photonics Engineer3,780,000 KRW
Photonics Technician3,120,000 KRW
Pipeline Engineer3,380,000 KRW
Piping Designer1,840,000 KRW
Piping Engineer3,150,000 KRW
Planning Engineer3,540,000 KRW
Pressure Vessel Inspector1,670,000 KRW
Principal Cost Engineer3,560,000 KRW
Principal Engineer3,420,000 KRW
Principal Support Engineer3,470,000 KRW
Process Engineer3,400,000 KRW
Process Operator2,160,000 KRW
Product Development Engineer3,630,000 KRW
Product Development Technician2,550,000 KRW
Product Engineer3,680,000 KRW
Product Safety Engineer3,370,000 KRW
Production Engineer3,480,000 KRW
Project Engineer3,800,000 KRW
Proposal Manager4,440,000 KRW
Purchasing Engineer3,300,000 KRW
Quality Assurance Engineer3,600,000 KRW
Rail Engineer3,710,000 KRW
Robotics Engineer4,210,000 KRW
Robotics Technician2,800,000 KRW
Safety Engineer3,380,000 KRW
Safety Inspector2,630,000 KRW
Safety Manager4,050,000 KRW
Safety Officer1,770,000 KRW
Sales Engineer3,670,000 KRW
Scheduling Engineer3,220,000 KRW
Service Engineer3,680,000 KRW
Solar Engineer3,650,000 KRW
Staff Engineer3,370,000 KRW
Static Equipment Engineer3,320,000 KRW
Stationary Engineer3,250,000 KRW
Stress Engineer3,150,000 KRW
Structural Analysis Engineer3,380,000 KRW
Structural Designer3,140,000 KRW
Structural Engineer3,420,000 KRW
Structural Technician2,280,000 KRW
Supply Chain Specialist3,450,000 KRW
Surveyor2,600,000 KRW
Technical Affairs Officer1,840,000 KRW
Technical Assistant1,740,000 KRW
Technical Engineer3,160,000 KRW
Technical Support Engineer3,080,000 KRW
Tender Engineer3,190,000 KRW
Test Development Engineer3,630,000 KRW
Transportation Engineer3,250,000 KRW
Validation Engineer3,330,000 KRW
Verification Engineer3,270,000 KRW
Wastewater Engineer3,380,000 KRW
Wind Energy Engineer3,490,000 KRW
Wind Energy Operations Manager4,630,000 KRW
Work Planner2,380,000 KRW

Engineering Jobs Salary Distribution in Korea (South)

Median and salary distribution monthly Korea (South) Engineering
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The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range

  • Salary Range

    Engineering salaries in Korea (South) range from 1,040,000 KRW per month (minimum average salary) to 6,940,000 KRW per month (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher).

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 3,350,000 KRW per month, which means that half (50%) of people working in Engineering are earning less than 3,350,000 KRW while the other half are earning more than 3,350,000 KRW. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of people working in Engineering are earning less than 1,970,000 KRW while 75% of them are earning more than 1,970,000 KRW. Also from the diagram, 75% of people working in Engineering are earning less than 5,250,000 KRW while 25% are earning more than 5,250,000 KRW.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.

Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.

Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.

Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.

On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degrees levels across many jobs, below are our findings.


Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.

Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a cerificate or diploma.

Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.


Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?

A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Korea (South) costs anywhere from 19,400,000 South Korean Won(s) to 58,300,000 South Korean Won(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.

You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.

Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.

The decision really depends on your situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if you can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.

Engineering Salary Comparison By Gender

Salary comparison by gender monthly Korea (South) Engineering
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male employees in Korea (South) who work in Engineering earn 6% more than their female counterparts on average.

Male
3,370,000 KRW
Female-6%
3,180,000 KRW
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Comparison By Gender in Korea (South) for all Careers

Salary comparison by gender monthly Korea (South)
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Engineering Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Korea (South)

How much are annual salary increments in Korea (South) for Engineering professionals? How often do employees get salary raises?

Engineering

Engineering professionals in Korea (South) are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 10% every 15 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 16 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate Korea (South) Engineering
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

Korea (South) / All Professions

The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Korea (South) is 7%.

Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022

Banking
6%
Energy
3%
Information Technology
9%
Healthcare
6%
Travel
3%
Construction
9%
Education
6%

Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Korea (South) for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.


Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

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Engineering Bonus and Incentive Rates in Korea (South)

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate Korea (South) Engineering
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Engineering is considered to be a moderate bonus-based field due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.

46% of surveyed staff in Engineering reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 54% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
54%
No Bonus
46%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Engineering Hourly Average Wage in Korea (South)


18,900 KRW per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Korea (South) is 18,900 KRW. This means that the average person in Korea (South) earns approximately 18,900 KRW for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

Engineering VS Other Jobs

Salary Comparison Between Engineering and Engineering monthly Korea (South)
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The average salary for Engineering is 16% less than that of All Jobs.

Salary Comparison By City

CityAverage Salary
Bucheon3,040,000 KRW
Busan3,620,000 KRW
Daegu3,490,000 KRW
Daejeon3,430,000 KRW
Goyang3,170,000 KRW
Gwangju3,360,000 KRW
Incheon3,550,000 KRW
Seongnam3,100,000 KRW
Seoul3,680,000 KRW
Suweon3,300,000 KRW
Ulsan3,240,000 KRW

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Korea (South) earn 6% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.

Private Sector
3,770,000 KRW
Public Sector+6%
3,990,000 KRW
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

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