Best Paying Jobs in Korea (South) 2024

List of careers with the highest salaries and the reasons why they pay so much:

Top 10 highest paying jobs in Korea (South)

1. 1. Surgeons / Doctors

   Salary Range: from 8,280,000 KRW to 26,400,000 KRW

   Surgeons top the list of the highest paying careers due to the critical nature of their job. A surgeon's profession involves high risk and requires extensive knowledge and a long learning path; the necessary ingredients for a high paying career.

   • high risk job
   • extensive knowledge
   • high perceived value
   • revenue generator
2. 2. Judges

   Salary Range: from 5,550,000 KRW to 19,200,000 KRW

   Judges earn quite high salaries because of the huge responsibilities associated with their job. Deciding people's fates is not an easy task and the high wage is perfectly justified.

   • high responsibility job
   • extensive knowledge
3. 3. Lawyers

   Salary Range: from 5,730,000 KRW to 16,900,000 KRW

   The main reason that lawyers earn big wages is because of their high perceived value in the eyes of their clients. A successful lawyer can save/earn you tons of money or can possibly spare you a death sentence.

   • high perceived value
   • extensive knowledge
   • revenue generator
4. 4. Bank Managers

   Salary Range: from 4,540,000 KRW to 14,500,000 KRW

   Being in charge of hundreds of millions in funds and investments with all the associated risks that come along makes managing a bank an extremely critical task worthy of a large salary.

   • high risk
   • high responsibility job
   • huge impact
5. 5. Chief Executive Officers

   Salary Range: from 4,740,000 KRW to 13,900,000 KRW

   CEOs are primarily responsible for the success or failure of complete organizations. Their huge remuneration is due to the vast scope of impact as well as the risks involved.

   • widespread impact
   • leadership position
   • high risk
6. 6. Chief Financial Officers

   Salary Range: from 4,470,000 KRW to 13,100,000 KRW

   Any job that is about managing money automatically qualifies for high pay. CFOs manage budgets, spending, costs, and revenue which directly impacts the operations of the organization.

   • high risk
   • extensive experience
   • high responsibility job
7. 7. Orthodontists

   Salary Range: from 3,830,000 KRW to 13,200,000 KRW

   Orthodontists operate in an industry where people are willing to pay high costs for a service, which directly makes Orthodontists among the best paying jobs.

   • high cost industry
   • high level knowledge
   • high perceived value
   • revenue generator
8. 8. College Professors

   Salary Range: from 3,310,000 KRW to 11,400,000 KRW

   College professors are among the top-earning and most prestigious careers. Becoming a professor is not easy and requires persistence which is partly why they earn so high.

   • high level knowledge
   • high perceived value
   • revenue generator
9. 9. Pilots

   Salary Range: from 3,340,000 KRW to 10,600,000 KRW

   Probably the only career on the list that involves some kind of excitement, nevertheless; pilots undergo rigorous training programs and they are responsible for the safety of thousands of people every day.

   • high risk
   • extensive experience
10. 10. Marketing Directors

    Salary Range: from 3,000,000 KRW to 8,810,000 KRW

    Marketing directors are in charge of increasing the revenue of their organizations. They are directly responsible for generating business and they are well paid for that reason.

    • revenue generator

Best paying jobs in each domain

Highest Paying Jobs in Finance and Accounting
Korea (South)

1. 1 Finance Director (8,590,000 KRW)
2. 2 Financial Manager (8,110,000 KRW)
3. 3 Investment Advisor (8,020,000 KRW)
4. 4 Risk Management Director (8,270,000 KRW)
5. 5 Economist (8,200,000 KRW)
6. 6 Tax Director (8,300,000 KRW)
7. 7 Audit Director (7,730,000 KRW)
8. 8 Investment Fund Manager (7,520,000 KRW)
9. 9 Accounting Manager (7,410,000 KRW)
10. 10 Auditing Manager (7,630,000 KRW)

Best Paid Careers in Business Administration
Korea (South)

1. 1 Chief Executive Officer (8,780,000 KRW)
2. 2 Chairman of The Board (8,820,000 KRW)
3. 3 Chief Financial Officer (9,120,000 KRW)
4. 4 Regional Director (8,680,000 KRW)
5. 5 Executive Manager (8,330,000 KRW)
6. 6 Chief Corporate Officer (8,560,000 KRW)
7. 7 Managing Director (8,600,000 KRW)
8. 8 General Manager (7,270,000 KRW)
9. 9 Risk and Capital Manager (7,730,000 KRW)
10. 10 Chief Operating Officer (7,500,000 KRW)

Best Paid Jobs in Advertising
Korea (South)

1. 1 Advertising Sales Director (6,970,000 KRW)
2. 2 Events Director (6,520,000 KRW)
3. 3 Advertising Manager (6,920,000 KRW)
4. 4 Product and Brand Manager (6,890,000 KRW)
5. 5 Sales Promotion Manager (6,590,000 KRW)
6. 6 Media Production Manager (6,250,000 KRW)
7. 7 Media Sales Executive (6,390,000 KRW)
8. 8 Social Media Manager (6,060,000 KRW)
9. 9 Digital Media Strategist (6,260,000 KRW)
10. 10 Advertising Account Manager (5,350,000 KRW)

Best Paying Jobs in Architecture
Korea (South)

1. 1 Architectural Manager (7,170,000 KRW)
2. 2 Architecture Consultant (6,900,000 KRW)
3. 3 Assistant Architectural Manager (6,650,000 KRW)
4. 4 Facilities and Project Manager (6,470,000 KRW)
5. 5 Design Manager (6,290,000 KRW)
6. 6 Landscape Architect (5,700,000 KRW)
7. 7 Architecture Estimating Manager (5,220,000 KRW)
8. 8 Architect (5,430,000 KRW)
9. 9 Architectural Designer (4,940,000 KRW)
10. 10 CAD Manager (4,580,000 KRW)

Best Paying Professions in Automotive / Car Industry
Korea (South)

1. 1 Regional Manager (7,440,000 KRW)
2. 2 Automotive General Manager (7,040,000 KRW)
3. 3 Automotive Branch Manager (6,450,000 KRW)
4. 4 Automotive Purchase Manager (5,420,000 KRW)
5. 5 Purchasing Project Manager (5,380,000 KRW)
6. 6 Automotive Project Manager (5,380,000 KRW)
7. 7 Auto Parts Manager (5,070,000 KRW)
8. 8 Automotive Assembly Manager (5,240,000 KRW)
9. 9 Service Manager (5,320,000 KRW)
10. 10 Used Car Manager (4,590,000 KRW)

High Paying Jobs in Aviation
Korea (South)

1. 1 Aviation Manager (8,770,000 KRW)
2. 2 Airport Services Manager (7,950,000 KRW)
3. 3 Airlines Sales Director (8,020,000 KRW)
4. 4 Aviation Safety Manager (8,160,000 KRW)
5. 5 Chief Pilot (7,480,000 KRW)
6. 6 Aircraft Pilot (7,100,000 KRW)
7. 7 Fleet Controller (7,420,000 KRW)
8. 8 Airfield Management Specialist (6,690,000 KRW)
9. 9 Aviation Analyst (7,020,000 KRW)
10. 10 Aerospace Engineer (7,110,000 KRW)

High Salary Jobs in Banking
Korea (South)

1. 1 International Banking Manager (9,270,000 KRW)
2. 2 Group Branch Manager (8,640,000 KRW)
3. 3 Bank Regional Manager (8,480,000 KRW)
4. 4 Bank Operations Head (8,530,000 KRW)
5. 5 Capital Risk Manager (8,340,000 KRW)
6. 6 Credit Portfolio Manager (8,370,000 KRW)
7. 7 Internal Bank Audit Manager (8,600,000 KRW)
8. 8 Cash Management Manager (8,030,000 KRW)
9. 9 Online Banking Manager (7,540,000 KRW)
10. 10 Mortgage Operations Manager (7,990,000 KRW)

Highest Paid Jobs in Construction
Korea (South)

1. 1 Construction Manager (6,610,000 KRW)
2. 2 Construction Project Manager (6,650,000 KRW)
3. 3 Construction Operations Manager (6,420,000 KRW)
4. 4 Site Leader (6,570,000 KRW)
5. 5 Building Contracts Manager (6,340,000 KRW)
6. 6 Tender Manager (5,890,000 KRW)
7. 7 Building Sales Manager (5,780,000 KRW)
8. 8 Construction Quality Control Manager (5,420,000 KRW)
9. 9 Purchasing Manager (5,550,000 KRW)
10. 10 Installation Manager (5,270,000 KRW)

Highest Paid Professions in Counseling
Korea (South)

1. 1 Psychologist (7,180,000 KRW)
2. 2 Director of Rehabilitation Services (6,840,000 KRW)
3. 3 Youth Development Manager (6,110,000 KRW)
4. 4 Guidance Director (6,060,000 KRW)
5. 5 Adoption Services Director (5,490,000 KRW)
6. 6 Mental Health Counselor (5,740,000 KRW)
7. 7 Supervising Counselor (5,270,000 KRW)
8. 8 Family Support Specialist (5,130,000 KRW)
9. 9 Youth Care Counselor (4,970,000 KRW)
10. 10 Employment Counselor (4,410,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Careers in Customer Service
Korea (South)

1. 1 Customer Service Manager (5,900,000 KRW)
2. 2 Service Delivery Manager (5,560,000 KRW)
3. 3 Regional Account Manager (5,550,000 KRW)
4. 4 Customer Success Manager (5,640,000 KRW)
5. 5 Call Center Manager (5,340,000 KRW)
6. 6 Client Relationship Executive (5,630,000 KRW)
7. 7 Operations Support Manager (5,400,000 KRW)
8. 8 Customer Service Executive (5,420,000 KRW)
9. 9 Customer Service Team Leader (5,250,000 KRW)
10. 10 Customer Service Advisor (5,260,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Education and Teaching
Korea (South)

1. 1 College Dean (7,410,000 KRW)
2. 2 Dean of Faculty (7,530,000 KRW)
3. 3 Professor (7,500,000 KRW)
4. 4 Lecturer (7,190,000 KRW)
5. 5 Head of School (6,210,000 KRW)
6. 6 Post Doctoral Researcher (6,380,000 KRW)
7. 7 Educational Psychologist (6,490,000 KRW)
8. 8 Academic Manager (6,300,000 KRW)
9. 9 Clinical School Psychologist (6,450,000 KRW)
10. 10 Principal (6,160,000 KRW)

Highest Salaries in Energy
Korea (South)

1. 1 Operations Manager (8,060,000 KRW)
2. 2 Geophysicist (7,200,000 KRW)
3. 3 Engineering Geologist (6,950,000 KRW)
4. 4 Exploration Manager (6,800,000 KRW)
5. 5 Energy Dispatch Director (6,420,000 KRW)
6. 6 Geothermal Production Manager (6,430,000 KRW)
7. 7 Mining Project Manager (6,550,000 KRW)
8. 8 Service Delivery Manager (6,340,000 KRW)
9. 9 Sustainability Specialist (6,170,000 KRW)
10. 10 Energy Advisor (6,360,000 KRW)

Highest Salary Jobs in Engineering
Korea (South)

1. 1 Director of Engineering (7,300,000 KRW)
2. 2 Engineering Production Manager (7,260,000 KRW)
3. 3 Field Engineering Manager (6,480,000 KRW)
4. 4 Electrical Engineering Manager (5,840,000 KRW)
5. 5 Engineering Key Account Manager (5,620,000 KRW)
6. 6 Engineering Project Manager (5,050,000 KRW)
7. 7 Mechanical Engineering Manager (5,140,000 KRW)
8. 8 Engineering Sales Manager (5,120,000 KRW)
9. 9 Engineering Consultant (4,990,000 KRW)
10. 10 Chief Engineer (5,160,000 KRW)

Highly Paid Jobs in Real Estate
Korea (South)

1. 1 Portfolio Manager (7,550,000 KRW)
2. 2 Director of Real Estate (7,440,000 KRW)
3. 3 Shopping Center Manager (7,060,000 KRW)
4. 4 Town Planner (7,290,000 KRW)
5. 5 Property Operations Manager (7,130,000 KRW)
6. 6 Real Estate General Manager (6,930,000 KRW)
7. 7 Commercial Leasing Manager (6,640,000 KRW)
8. 8 Community Development Manager (6,580,000 KRW)
9. 9 Real Estate Project Manager (6,430,000 KRW)
10. 10 Property Manager (6,260,000 KRW)

Most Paid Jobs in Manufacturing
Korea (South)

1. 1 Production Director (6,800,000 KRW)
2. 2 Director of Manufacturing (6,870,000 KRW)
3. 3 Industrial Production Manager (6,390,000 KRW)
4. 4 Operational Excellence General Manager (6,270,000 KRW)
5. 5 Technology Development Manager (6,410,000 KRW)
6. 6 Manufacturing Manager (6,250,000 KRW)
7. 7 Plant Manager (5,900,000 KRW)
8. 8 Product Manager (5,700,000 KRW)
9. 9 Shipping Manager (5,670,000 KRW)
10. 10 Key Account Manager (5,280,000 KRW)

Top Salary Jobs in Fitness and Sports
Korea (South)

1. 1 Sports Manager (6,900,000 KRW)
2. 2 Fitness Manager (6,450,000 KRW)
3. 3 Head Coach (6,570,000 KRW)
4. 4 Head Gymnastics Instructor (6,290,000 KRW)
5. 5 Ski Instructor (5,640,000 KRW)
6. 6 Assistant Coach (4,950,000 KRW)
7. 7 Swim Instructor (5,130,000 KRW)
8. 8 Personal Trainer (4,990,000 KRW)
9. 9 Game Manager (4,590,000 KRW)
10. 10 Fitness Trainer (4,810,000 KRW)

Top Salaries in Hospitality
Korea (South)

1. 1 Hospitality Director (7,740,000 KRW)
2. 2 Hotel Manager (7,340,000 KRW)
3. 3 Fleet Manager (6,450,000 KRW)
4. 4 Cluster Director (5,980,000 KRW)
5. 5 Regional Restaurant Manager (5,720,000 KRW)
6. 6 Assistant Hospitality Manager (5,530,000 KRW)
7. 7 Hotel Sales Manager (5,170,000 KRW)
8. 8 Food Service Manager (5,390,000 KRW)
9. 9 Restaurant Manager (5,030,000 KRW)
10. 10 Room Reservations Manager (4,950,000 KRW)

Top 10 Salaries in Healthcare
Korea (South)

1. 1 Surgeon - Heart Transplant (18,700,000 KRW)
2. 2 Chief of Surgery (17,200,000 KRW)
3. 3 Surgeon - Orthopedic (16,900,000 KRW)
4. 4 Surgeon - Plastic Reconstructive (16,900,000 KRW)
5. 5 Invasive Cardiologist (16,200,000 KRW)
6. 6 Surgeon - Neurology (16,100,000 KRW)
7. 7 Surgeon - Pediatric (15,300,000 KRW)
8. 8 Urologist (14,800,000 KRW)
9. 9 Internist (16,200,000 KRW)
10. 10 Chief of Psychology (14,600,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Human Resources
Korea (South)

1. 1 Chief People Officer (6,650,000 KRW)
2. 2 Director of Talent Acquisition (6,430,000 KRW)
3. 3 Human Resources Vice President (6,560,000 KRW)
4. 4 Human Resources Manager (6,400,000 KRW)
5. 5 Recruiting Manager (6,440,000 KRW)
6. 6 Human Resources Development Manager (5,900,000 KRW)
7. 7 Benefits Manager (6,160,000 KRW)
8. 8 Labor Relations Director (5,780,000 KRW)
9. 9 Human Resources Consultant (6,130,000 KRW)
10. 10 Training Executive (5,740,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Import and Export
Korea (South)

1. 1 Import and Export Manager (6,340,000 KRW)
2. 2 Exports Sales Manager (6,510,000 KRW)
3. 3 Export Logistics Manager (5,900,000 KRW)
4. 4 Import and Export Consultant (6,050,000 KRW)
5. 5 Importation Supervisor (5,880,000 KRW)
6. 6 Export Logistics Specialist (5,320,000 KRW)
7. 7 Export Supervisor (5,430,000 KRW)
8. 8 Logistics Analyst (5,660,000 KRW)
9. 9 Logistics Administrator (5,240,000 KRW)
10. 10 Global Forwarding Agent (4,760,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Insurance
Korea (South)

1. 1 Risk Management Director (7,800,000 KRW)
2. 2 Risk Modeling Manager (7,710,000 KRW)
3. 3 Insurance Manager (7,820,000 KRW)
4. 4 Insurance Sales Director (6,840,000 KRW)
5. 5 Policy Change Director (7,000,000 KRW)
6. 6 Auditing Insurance Manager (6,720,000 KRW)
7. 7 Loss Prevention Manager (6,490,000 KRW)
8. 8 Claims Manager (6,020,000 KRW)
9. 9 Actuary (5,590,000 KRW)
10. 10 Insurance Program Manager (5,470,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Information Technology
Korea (South)

1. 1 Chief Information Officer (6,350,000 KRW)
2. 2 Online Banking Manager (6,550,000 KRW)
3. 3 Information Technology Project Manager (6,600,000 KRW)
4. 4 Enterprise Infrastructure Manager (6,890,000 KRW)
5. 5 Director of Application Development (6,520,000 KRW)
6. 6 Chief Information Security Officer (6,640,000 KRW)
7. 7 Web Security Manager (6,490,000 KRW)
8. 8 Business Intelligence Consultant (6,070,000 KRW)
9. 9 Technical Project Manager (6,380,000 KRW)
10. 10 Information Technology Sales Manager (5,950,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Law and Legal Services
Korea (South)

1. 1 Supreme Court Judge (12,100,000 KRW)
2. 2 Administrative Law Judge (11,000,000 KRW)
3. 3 Crown Prosecution Service Lawyer (10,600,000 KRW)
4. 4 General Counsel (10,200,000 KRW)
5. 5 Litigation Attorney (9,270,000 KRW)
6. 6 Legal Services Director (9,470,000 KRW)
7. 7 Judge Advocate (8,640,000 KRW)
8. 8 Attorney (9,020,000 KRW)
9. 9 Legal Executive (8,160,000 KRW)
10. 10 Corporate Counsel (8,530,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Marketing
Korea (South)

1. 1 Brand Director (7,790,000 KRW)
2. 2 Chief Marketing Officer (7,190,000 KRW)
3. 3 Brand Manager (7,520,000 KRW)
4. 4 Marketing Manager (6,900,000 KRW)
5. 5 Chief Product Officer (6,940,000 KRW)
6. 6 Search Marketing Strategist (7,210,000 KRW)
7. 7 Market Development Manager (7,240,000 KRW)
8. 8 Product Manager (6,980,000 KRW)
9. 9 Digital Marketing Manager (6,470,000 KRW)
10. 10 Trade Marketing Executive (6,920,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Korea (South)

1. 1 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Lead (9,480,000 KRW)
2. 2 Pharmaceutical Manager (9,050,000 KRW)
3. 3 Molecular and Cellular Biologist (9,000,000 KRW)
4. 4 Medical Affairs Director (8,720,000 KRW)
5. 5 Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager (8,640,000 KRW)
6. 6 Bioinformatics Scientist (8,180,000 KRW)
7. 7 Pharmaceutical Research Scientist (8,010,000 KRW)
8. 8 Pharmaceutical Sales Manager (8,260,000 KRW)
9. 9 Clinical Research Manager (8,430,000 KRW)
10. 10 Pharmacy Manager (8,000,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Public Relations
Korea (South)

1. 1 Head of Public Relations (6,780,000 KRW)
2. 2 Public Relations Manager (6,220,000 KRW)
3. 3 Director of Communications (5,610,000 KRW)
4. 4 Head of Communications (5,800,000 KRW)
5. 5 Marketing Communications Executive (5,300,000 KRW)
6. 6 Public Relations Executive (5,100,000 KRW)
7. 7 Media Relations Specialist (5,020,000 KRW)
8. 8 Communications Project Manager (4,690,000 KRW)
9. 9 Investor Relations Officer (4,820,000 KRW)
10. 10 Government Relations Officer (4,050,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Procurement
Korea (South)

1. 1 Supply Chain Director (7,650,000 KRW)
2. 2 Procurement Manager (7,070,000 KRW)
3. 3 Distribution Manager (7,470,000 KRW)
4. 4 Warehouse Manager (7,130,000 KRW)
5. 5 Vendor Manager (7,180,000 KRW)
6. 6 Wholesale Buyer (6,640,000 KRW)
7. 7 Supply Chain Analyst (6,220,000 KRW)
8. 8 Purchasing Supervisor (5,830,000 KRW)
9. 9 Inventory Control Manager (5,670,000 KRW)
10. 10 Demand Planning Manager (5,390,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Quality Control
Korea (South)

1. 1 Quality Director (6,690,000 KRW)
2. 2 Quality Control Manager (6,310,000 KRW)
3. 3 Quality Assurance Executive (6,650,000 KRW)
4. 4 Six Sigma Black Belt (6,120,000 KRW)
5. 5 Product Quality Leader (6,240,000 KRW)
6. 6 Approval Team Manager (5,750,000 KRW)
7. 7 Quality Assurance Supervisor (5,200,000 KRW)
8. 8 Quality Trainer (4,860,000 KRW)
9. 9 Assistant Quality Manager (4,790,000 KRW)
10. 10 Quality Control Analyst (4,810,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Sales
Korea (South)

1. 1 Wholesale Manager (8,980,000 KRW)
2. 2 National Sales Manager (8,000,000 KRW)
3. 3 Sales Director (8,690,000 KRW)
4. 4 Sales Executive (8,500,000 KRW)
5. 5 Sales Manager (8,490,000 KRW)
6. 6 National Account Manager (7,830,000 KRW)
7. 7 Head of Direct Sales (7,960,000 KRW)
8. 8 Head of Retail (7,030,000 KRW)
9. 9 Corporate Sales Manager (6,800,000 KRW)
10. 10 Relationship Manager (6,360,000 KRW)

Highest Paying Jobs in Telecommunications
Korea (South)

1. 1 Telecommunications Manager (6,650,000 KRW)
2. 2 Sales Director (6,150,000 KRW)
3. 3 Chief Technology Officer (6,130,000 KRW)
4. 4 Telecommunication Service Delivery Manager (5,550,000 KRW)
5. 5 Telecommunication Solution Architect (5,870,000 KRW)
6. 6 Telecommunication Consultant (5,390,000 KRW)
7. 7 Telecommunication Project Manager (5,090,000 KRW)
8. 8 Telecommunications Analyst (5,110,000 KRW)
9. 9 Telecommunication Technical Manager (4,810,000 KRW)
10. 10 Access Operation Team Leader (4,740,000 KRW)

Salary Comparison By City