Despite the sluggish construction industry, the average daily wage in the construction sector in the second half of this year rose by more than 1% compared to the first half.
According to the "2024 Second Half Construction Industry Wage Survey" announced by the Korea Construction Association on the 2nd, the average daily wage across 127 construction occupations was 274,286 KRW, up 1.29% from 270,789 KRW in the first half. Compared to the same period last year (265,516 KRW), it increased by 3.30%.
By sector, among the 127 occupations, the 91 general construction occupations, which account for the largest share, had an average daily wage of 262,067 KRW, up 1.44% from the first half of this year and 3.46% from the same period last year.
The occupation with the highest average daily wage was the optoelectronics sector, at 420,759 KRW, rising 2.26% compared to the first half. Compared to the same period last year, it jumped 5.16%. This includes three occupations such as optical cable installers. Additionally, the cultural heritage sector had an average daily wage of 321,129 KRW, down 0.18% from the first half but up 3.71% compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, the nuclear sector saw an average daily wage of 240,045 KRW, up 4.21% from the first half but down 0.97% compared to the same period last year.
A Korea Construction Association official explained, "The wage increase was driven by ongoing labor shortages due to the aging skilled workforce and low new entrant numbers."
The statistics from this construction wage survey were based on results from 2,000 construction sites nationwide conducted in May. They can be applied to construction cost calculations starting from the 1st of this month. The report is available on the Korea Construction Association's website.
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