Average Monthly Salary for Office Workers Hits 4.21 Million Won... Seoul Tops the List

Seoul Ranks First in Average Salary
Driven by Concentration of Information Technology and Finance Industries

The average monthly salary for office workers nationwide as of April was calculated at 4,214,000 won. Seoul had the highest average monthly salary among all regions, recording 4,765,000 won, which is about 500,000 won higher than the national average.

Office workers commuting to work. Photo by Asia Economy DB

According to the "April Regional Wage and Working Hours Survey" released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on September 30, the total wage per worker at businesses with at least one regular employee averaged 4,215,000 won nationwide.

By region, Seoul recorded the highest average monthly salary at 4,765,000 won. This is attributed to the concentration of high-paying industries such as information and communications, finance and insurance, and scientific and technical services. Ulsan followed with 4,750,000 won, due to the presence of large manufacturing companies and their partners. In contrast, Jeju, where there is a higher proportion of relatively low-wage industries such as accommodation and food services, recorded 3,279,000 won, about 900,000 won lower than the national average.

The ranking of real wage totals, which takes into account the price level in each region, was the same. Seoul was the highest at 4,211,000 won, followed by Ulsan at 4,095,000 won. The national average was 3,615,000 won.

The average working hours per person was 174.2 hours. Chungnam (178.8 hours) and Gyeongnam (178.6 hours) had longer average working hours than the national average, while Jeju (168.7 hours) and Daejeon (169.3 hours) had shorter working hours. This is analyzed to be due to Chungnam and Gyeongnam having a higher proportion of manufacturing industries with longer working hours, while Jeju and Daejeon have a higher proportion of service industries with shorter working hours.