EPIK Salary & Benefits: What You’ll Earn

If you're thinking about teaching English in South Korea, one of the first questions you're probably asking is:
“How much does the EPIK Program pay?”

Good news — EPIK offers one of the most generous and reliable benefit packages of any government teaching program in Asia. On top of a stable monthly salary, you’ll receive free housing, health insurance, paid vacation, a settlement allowance, and even a contract bonus.

Better yet, thanks to Korea’s relatively low cost of living, many teachers are able to save money, travel around Asia, or pay off student loans — all while gaining classroom experience and cultural immersion.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• 📊 The full EPIK pay scale and how much you’ll earn per month
• 🏠 What kind of housing and allowances are included
• ✈️ Flight reimbursement, pension, insurance, and vacation
• 💰 How much you can realistically save while living in Korea

Let’s take a look at what you can expect financially when you teach with EPIK.

EPIK Salary Levels (Pay Grade Breakdown)

EPIK teachers are paid based on a tiered pay scale, which takes into account your education, TEFL certification, and teaching experience. There are five main levels — and the more qualified you are, the higher your monthly salary.

As of 2025, here’s what you can expect:

Level	Monthly Salary (KRW)	Approx. USD	Who Qualifies
1+	₩2.7 million	~$2,025	Licensed teachers + 2+ years of experience
1	₩2.6 million	~$1,950	Licensed teachers OR MA + TEFL
2+	₩2.3 million	~$1,725	BA + TEFL + 1 year experience
2	₩2.2 million	~$1,650	BA + TEFL (120+ hrs)
3	₩2.0 million	~$1,500	BA only (no TEFL or experience)

💡 You’ll likely enter at Level 2 if you have a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate — the most common route for new teachers.

🎯 Bonus Pay for Rural Placements

In addition to your base salary, teachers placed in rural or “hard-to-place” areas may receive an extra ₩100,000–₩200,000 KRW/month.

Your salary is paid monthly into a Korean bank account, and most EPIK teachers find it’s more than enough to live comfortably, explore the country, and still save money.

Next, let’s look at what’s included with housing and accommodation.

Monthly Housing Allowance / Free Apartment

One of the biggest perks of teaching with EPIK is that your housing is covered — and that means big savings.

In most cases, your school will provide a rent-free, furnished apartment close to your assigned school. This is standard across nearly all placements and is a huge benefit when you consider how much rent can cost in cities like Seoul or Busan.

🏠 What to Expect

• A studio or one-room apartment (called “officetel” or “one-room”)
• Basic furnishings: bed, fridge, washing machine, stove, air conditioner
• Utilities (electricity, water, internet) are not included and paid by the teacher
• Apartments are usually within walking distance or a short bus ride from school
• Couples may be placed together in larger units if both are accepted

💸 What If Housing Isn’t Provided?

In rare cases, if your school cannot arrange an apartment, you’ll receive a monthly housing allowance instead — typically around ₩400,000–₩500,000 KRW (roughly $300–$375 USD), depending on the region.

🧳 Teachers are expected to cover their security deposit (key money) and utility bills, but overall, this benefit drastically reduces your monthly living costs — making it easier to save.

Next, let’s look at the other financial support EPIK offers to help you get started.

Flight Reimbursement & Relocation Support

EPIK helps ease the cost of relocating to South Korea by covering your flight and startup expenses. While you’ll pay upfront for your ticket, you’ll be reimbursed soon after arrival.

✈️ Flight Reimbursement

• Inbound flight to Korea is reimbursed after you arrive and begin orientation
• Economy class, one-way ticket
• You’ll need to provide proof of purchase (boarding pass + receipt)

📌 If you resign early, you may be required to pay this back

🔁 Return Flight

• Upon successful completion of your contract, EPIK will also reimburse your return flight home
• If you re-sign for a second year, the return flight may be rolled into your next contract instead

💼 Settlement Allowance

• All new EPIK teachers receive a ₩300,000 KRW (~$225 USD) settlement allowance
• This is a one-time payment to help with moving costs, home setup, and essentials like bedding or kitchen items

🧳 While you’ll still need to bring some cash for your first few weeks, EPIK does a great job covering the major expenses that come with moving abroad — making it one of the most beginner-friendly teaching programs out there.

Next up: let’s break down your vacation time and public holidays.

Paid Vacation & National Holidays

When you teach with EPIK, you don’t just get a steady salary — you also get plenty of time to enjoy it. Between vacation days and public holidays, you’ll have time to travel, explore Korea, or just relax.

📅 Paid Vacation Days

• Most EPIK teachers receive 18 paid vacation days per year
• If you re-sign your contract, you’ll earn additional vacation time
• Vacation is usually taken during school breaks (summer/winter) and must be approved by your co-teacher or school
• Some schools are flexible — others may have fixed vacation dates

🇰🇷 Korean Public Holidays

In addition to vacation days, you’ll get all national holidays off — around 13–15 extra days per year.

These include:

• Seollal (Lunar New Year)
• Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
• Children’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas, etc.

📌 Some holidays may fall on weekends, but when they land on weekdays, you’ll enjoy a day off — no makeup days required.

🧘 Long Breaks = Travel Opportunities

With nearly 5–6 weeks off per year, many EPIK teachers use their time to:

• Visit other countries in Asia (Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.)
• Explore different regions of Korea
• Go home for a visit — or stay local and recharge

EPIK gives you more vacation than most private academies (hagwons) — and that work-life balance is a big reason why so many teachers choose public schools.

Up next: let’s take a look at insurance, pension, and financial protections.

Health Insurance & National Pension

EPIK provides solid, government-backed benefits that protect your health and help you plan ahead — even if you're only in Korea for a year.

🏥 National Health Insurance (NHI)

• EPIK teachers are automatically enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance system
• 50/50 split: Your school pays half, and you pay half
• Covers most doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital care at affordable local rates

Typical costs:

• Doctor visit: ₩5,000–₩10,000 KRW (~$4–$8 USD)
• Prescription meds: ₩3,000–₩10,000 KRW

📌 You’ll also get a physical health check during orientation or early in your contract

🪙 National Pension Plan

• EPIK teachers also pay into Korea’s National Pension System
• Like health insurance, it’s a 50/50 contribution shared with your employer
• If you’re from a country with a pension treaty (USA, Canada, Ireland, etc.), you can get your contributions refunded when you leave Korea

Payout amounts depend on how long you teach, but it can equal thousands of dollars — a nice bonus when your contract ends.

💡 Between health insurance, pension refunds, and low out-of-pocket costs, Korea is one of the safest and most affordable countries to live and work abroad.

Next: let’s talk about the contract bonus that rewards you at the end of your year.

Contract Completion Bonus & Gratuity

If you complete your full one-year contract with EPIK, you’ll be rewarded with a completion bonus — essentially an extra paycheck for finishing strong.

💰 One-Month Completion Bonus

• At the end of your contract, you’ll receive a lump sum bonus equal to one month’s salary
• For most teachers, this means an extra ₩2.0–₩2.7 million KRW (roughly $1,500–$2,000 USD)
• Paid out after your final working day

This bonus is guaranteed as long as you fulfill your contract terms — and it’s one of the best perks of teaching with a public program like EPIK.

🔁 Re-Signing Perks

• Teachers who renew for a second year may also receive:
  • An additional settlement allowance (₩700,000 KRW)
  • Extra vacation days
  • Continued flight support (or roll-over of return flight)

✈️ Many teachers use their contract bonus to fund travel around Asia — or to boost savings before heading home.

Teaching abroad is already a rewarding experience — but with EPIK, you also get rewarded financially for staying committed.

Next up: let’s explore how much you can actually save or spend as a teacher in Korea.

Is It Enough to Live On & Save?

One of the most common questions EPIK applicants ask is:
"Can I actually save money while teaching in Korea?"

The answer is a confident yes — with the right lifestyle and mindset.

💸 Monthly Living Expenses (Typical Breakdown)

Here’s what a monthly budget might look like for a solo teacher in Korea:

Category	Estimated Cost (KRW)	USD Approx.
Groceries + eating out	₩300,000–₩500,000	$225–$375
Utilities + Internet	₩100,000–₩150,000	$75–$115
Transportation	₩50,000–₩100,000	$40–$75
Phone plan	₩30,000–₩60,000	$25–$50
Entertainment / travel	₩100,000–₩200,000	$75–$150

💡 Total: ₩600,000–₩1,000,000 KRW/month ($450–$750 USD)

💼 Potential Monthly Savings

If you're living modestly and outside a major city, it’s realistic to save:

• ₩500,000–₩1,000,000 KRW/month ($375–$750 USD)
• That adds up to ₩6M–₩12M KRW/year ($4,500–$9,000 USD)

Some teachers save even more by living frugally or taking on private tutoring (if permitted by their visa/school).

🧭 Rural vs. Urban Living

• Rural placements = lower cost of living, fewer distractions, and more savings
• Urban placements (Seoul, Busan) = higher costs but more social options and weekend trips

✨ Bottom line: EPIK doesn’t just cover your expenses — it gives you room to build savings, travel across Asia, and still enjoy a comfortable lifestyle abroad.

Final Thoughts & Related Guides

From a solid monthly salary to free housing, flight reimbursement, health insurance, and a generous bonus — the EPIK Program offers one of the best benefit packages for English teachers abroad.

Whether your goal is to pay off debt, save for travel, or simply live well while working overseas, EPIK gives you the tools to do it. And with Korea’s excellent infrastructure, safety, and culture, it’s easy to see why thousands of teachers apply every year.

💼 The salary is just one part of the experience — but it’s what makes teaching with EPIK a smart and sustainable way to live, work, and explore in South Korea.