Korea Minimum Wage & Hourly to Monthly Calculator
Korea's 2027 minimum wage is ₩10,700 an hour, up 3.7% from ₩10,320 in 2026. For a 40-hour week that is ₩2,236,300 a month.
Minimum wage by year
| Year | Hourly | Monthly (209 hrs) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | ₩10,700 | ₩2,236,300 | 3.7% |
| 2026 | ₩10,320 | ₩2,156,880 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | ₩10,030 | ₩2,096,270 | 1.7% |
Minimum monthly pay by weekly hours (2026 / 2027)
| Hours/week | Monthly hours | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hrs | 78.4 hrs | ₩808,830 | ₩838,612 |
| 20 hrs | 104.5 hrs | ₩1,078,440 | ₩1,118,150 |
| 25 hrs | 130.6 hrs | ₩1,348,050 | ₩1,397,687 |
| 30 hrs | 156.8 hrs | ₩1,617,660 | ₩1,677,225 |
| 35 hrs | 182.9 hrs | ₩1,887,270 | ₩1,956,762 |
| 40 hrs | 209.0 hrs | ₩2,156,880 | ₩2,236,300 |
Where does 209 hours a month come from?
A 40-hour week plus 8 hours of paid weekly holiday is 48 hours. Multiplied by the average 4.345 weeks in a month (365 ÷ 7 ÷ 12) that is about 208.6, rounded up to the standard 209 hours.
FAQ
When does the 2027 minimum wage take effect?
On January 1, 2027. The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced ₩10,700 an hour on August 5, 2026; it applies to every industry and workplace.
Does the minimum wage apply to foreign workers?
Yes. The Minimum Wage Act applies to all employees in Korea regardless of nationality or visa type, including part-time workers.
Can probationary workers be paid less?
For contracts of one year or more, employers may pay 90% of the minimum wage for up to 3 months of probation, except in simple manual labor jobs.