EPIK Salary

My pay is always done in a timely manner and sometimes, I get paid a little earlier than what's agreed in the contract. The deductions coincide with the contract, but they take out 44k won for school lunch every month. It's not such a big deal since I don't spend much anyway.

I don't have the luxury of getting extra classes (and the bonus cash for doing extra classes), however. There just isn't a demand for extra English classes; I don't have to do Winter English Camp since there's no interest in that in Namhae.

i think that everyone gets paid in different ways depending on their city board of education... at least that's who pays me. when i requested a pay slip, it took several weeks to get one and it wasn't accurate - it doesn't show the tax deduction. they tell me that's separate. i'm trying to get them to put it on my slip, but have yet to find out if it will or not, or if i'll even get another pay slip - i have to ask every month. for october 25th pay i got the slip on friday (nov. 17) but it seems like i get the bums rush on most everything in my city... if you're applying to epik, DON'T ask to be placed in gimhae... it may be close to busan, but it just isn't worth the hassle. 

also i feel like there are more deductions than there are supposed to be - there aren't, but i'm paying more every month than i was led to believe that i would be- around 180,000W per month. they've been taking off unemployment ~8,500W per month - money which i will never see again. i've asked them to stop and hopefully they will. i know it's not much, but what's the point in paying for some korean to be on unemployment? at least i get my pension back when i leave...

other than that, i kind of wish that i worked in a hakwon that paid a lot more, since i don't get any extra classes either... more money is always better... 

lizm :)

My pay has been consistently on time. All of us in Jeju are sent email "pay stubs" that list all of the deductions and totals on the pay dates. Apparently, a couple of people are not receiving the email - perhaps because they have changed accounts or some other problem occurs. So far, everything has been in line with my contract.

It's really great to receive the email notifications. I haven't presented any questions about my pay, but I'm sure that they will try to answer promptly and accurately. My co-teachers have been very kind about answering questions. If they don't know an answer, they don't just brush me off or make up something. They contact the appropriate sources and then provide answers via phone or in person.

Koreans don't generally give out pay stubs. The Korean teachers generally have their online accounts that they can verify their pay with and see their deductions. However, the school will have your information if you go down to the Financial office. I have to go down each month and ask for my pay slip. I think it's good to keep them on file.

School lunch money is taken out each month, but that is for all teachers, and, really, shouldn't be a complaint unless you want to bring a lunch everyday. This should vary by the month, but should be around 2,500 a day.

Remember that you get DOUBLE whatever they take out of your pension. On your pay slip (this should be the largest amount that is taken out of your pay.)

Also, for school field trips you should be given a field trip stipend for traveling or wahtever. This should come in either cash or in a direct deposit to your account (not with your paycheck). This should be for pretty much anything off-campus and amount should vary.

If you live in a rural area you will get a monthly bonus for that, as well. This is also in the contract and is definitely something to consider as it is a good amount. Small towns are also a bit cheaper to live in, although more boring, but you can try to get placed in a small town near a big city (some just a 30 minute bus ride for 2500 won each way), and you will still get the luxury of having the bonus.

As far as pay being on time, it really should be and if it's not, it's the school's fault. Questions about pay should also be answered, but both are really school issues, so it depends on what school you are placed at and how friendly your co-teachers are. The deductions, however, are in your contract and should, thus, be the similar amounts to others in your program.

Overtime pay should be around 25,000 won. I'm pretty sure this is a standard price and this should be for any extra hours--aside from the 22 hours of teaching during the 8:30-4:30, or anything before or after 8:30-4:30. Also, this should be expected for weekend camps, etc, although that wage may vary. A lot of camps will only pay for teaching hours, rather than the total time you are there.

However, if you have to travel to get there, most will give a small traveling allowance. Most schools will allow you to do extra calsses though. Even if they don't ask you to, but you want the extra pay, you can ask to do some. Most subjects already have some extra classes in place, so you can try to sort something out with your teachrs. That is the same with camps, as your school might not have even thought about doing a weekend camp, but if you want to, they would probably let you set one up!

It's important not to over work yourself though! ;)

for the second time since i got here four months ago my pay is late. this (according to my co-teacher) is because of some issue at the office of education. just thought i'd let you all know, things aren't always as they seem... and if epik seems like a good deal, just know that a lot of the time it isn't... though everyone's experience is different, mine had been horrendous - in so many ways... definitely NOT renewing.

lizm :)