Teaching English in Korea (2026): EPIK vs Hagwon — Requirements, Pay & How to Apply

A Foreigner's Guide to Getting an English Teaching Job in Korea (EPIK vs. Hagwon)

Teaching English in Korea (2026): EPIK vs Hagwon Comparison

Category	EPIK (Public School)	Hagwon (Private Academy)
Hiring Schedule	Two intakes per year — Fall (applications open ~Feb, start Aug–Oct) and Spring (applications open ~Aug, start late Feb–Mar); rolling admissions, no fixed deadline — positions fill as slots are claimed	Year-round rolling hiring; flexible start dates
Work Hours	Standard school hours (Mon–Fri, approx. 9 AM–5 PM); maximum 22 teaching hours/week	Typically afternoon to evening (after students finish school)
Housing / Benefits	Fully furnished apartment provided (or ₩400–500K/month housing allowance in some provinces); settlement allowance ₩300K; entrance allowance ₩1.3M–1.8M; contract completion bonus ₩1.3M–1.8M; renewal bonus ₩700K–2M; 26 paid vacation days; severance ~1 month's salary after 1 year	Varies significantly by school; benefits and working conditions differ widely — always review the contract carefully
Location Choice	Placement-based; city vs. rural assignment may be limited (rural placements receive +₩100K/month rural allowance)	Can select school / location when applying; more flexibility
Salary	≈ ₩2.1M–2.8M/month depending on level (2026); most new hires enter at Level 2 (≈ ₩2.2M–2.4M). Seoul SMOE and select provinces reach ₩3.0M at top grade.	≈ ₩2.0M–3.0M/month depending on city, academy, and experience (2026); typical first placement ₩2.2M–2.5M. Seoul academies tend toward the higher end; regional cities offer ₩2.0M–2.6M with lower living costs.
Eligibility	Citizen of one of 7 English-speaking countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa); bachelor's degree; apostilled criminal background check; apostilled degree certificate; health check. TEFL/TESOL (100+ hrs) may be required or preferred by EPIK.
Application Process	Search postings → submit documents (resume, cover letter, apostilled degree & criminal background check, sealed transcripts, recommendation letters) → video interview → placement → prepare E-2 visa documents → arrive, complete health check, register ARC, start work
Key Consideration	Standardized government program with predictable terms; apply early — positions are filled on a rolling basis	Wide variation in quality; check reviews and reputation (online communities) before signing; verify every verbal promise is in the written contract

Sources: EPIK Official — Salary & Benefits (updated 2026-05-04), Korvia — EPIK Salary Levels 2026, Korvia — EPIK Benefits 2026, Korvia — Hagwon Salary by City 2026 — salaries as of 2026, vary by qualifications/employer/region; confirm in your contract.

Quick answer

Foreigners can teach English in Korea through two main paths: government-run public school programs like EPIK (English Program in Korea) and private academies called hagwons. Both normally require an E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa, which in turn requires a bachelor's degree and citizenship of one of seven recognized English-speaking countries.

• EPIK runs a fixed twice-a-year hiring cycle with standardized benefits, often including housing.
• Hagwons hire year-round with flexible start dates, but contracts and conditions vary widely.
• New teachers commonly start in the 2-million won range per month, frequently plus provided housing — see the salary section below for the approximate USD range.
• Always confirm pay, benefits, and terms in the official posting and signed contract.

There are two main paths to teaching English in Korea: government-run public school programs (such as EPIK, the English Program in Korea) and private academies, known locally as hagwons. Both paths generally require an E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa — the work visa for foreign-language instruction (see the separate visa guide for full requirements).

Who is eligible to teach English in Korea?

The core requirements below are conditions of the E-2 (Foreign Language Instructor) visa, so they apply whether you teach through EPIK or at a hagwon:

• Citizenship of one of the seven countries recognized as native-English-speaking for the E-2 visa (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa)
• A bachelor's degree from a four-year university
• An apostille-certified criminal background check and an apostille-certified degree certificate — an apostille is an internationally recognized authentication stamp that verifies the document for use abroad
• A health check (completed after arrival in Korea for EPIK)
• A TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 100 hours, which EPIK typically requires or strongly prefers; hagwons vary

What is EPIK and how does it work?

EPIK is a government-run program that places English co-teachers in public schools. It runs two intakes per year: Fall (applications open around February, start dates August–October) and Spring (applications open around August, start dates late February–March). There is no fixed application deadline — EPIK uses rolling admissions and positions fill as capacity is reached, so applying early gives a real advantage. Benefits such as a furnished apartment (or a housing allowance), a settlement allowance, entrance and completion bonuses, and 26 paid vacation days are standardized across the program. Because the program assigns your work location — which could be a major city or a rural area — your ability to choose a preferred region may be limited; teachers placed in designated rural areas receive an additional ₩100,000 per month.

What is a hagwon and how is it different from EPIK?

A hagwon is a private academy that offers lessons outside of regular school hours. Hiring happens year-round, so start dates are flexible. Working hours usually run from the afternoon into the evening — the after-school slot, once students have finished their regular school classes. Pay, benefits, and workload vary widely from one academy to another, so review the contract carefully. It's important to check an academy's reputation before accepting a job, for example through reviews from former and current teachers and through foreign-teacher communities such as Waygook.org, Dave's ESL Cafe, and the r/teachinginkorea subreddit.

How much do English teachers earn in Korea?

New teachers typically start around 2.0–2.9 million won/month, roughly USD 1,400–2,100, often plus housing. Monthly pay varies by experience, qualifications, and institution. For EPIK specifically, the official EPIK pay scale sorts teachers into six tiers (Level 3 through Level 1+) by qualification: a fresh graduate with a bachelor's degree typically enters at Level 2 (≈ ₩2.2M–2.4M/month), while teachers with a master's degree, significant teaching experience, or a TEFL certificate may qualify for a higher level. Seoul's Office of Education (SMOE) applies a separate scale that can reach ₩3.0M at the top tier. When provided housing or a housing allowance is added on top, the real take-home value is higher. Always confirm the exact figures, your assigned pay tier, and benefits directly in each job posting and contract.

How do you get hired to teach English in Korea?

1. Search for job postings (the official EPIK site, or through job sites and recruiters for hagwons)
2. Gather required documents: apostilled criminal background check, apostilled degree certificate, sealed university transcripts, TEFL certificate, and recommendation letters
3. Submit application documents (resume, cover letter, degree certificate, criminal background check, etc.)
4. Complete a video interview
5. After acceptance, prepare the documents for the E-2 visa
6. Enter Korea, complete the health check (EPIK requires this after arrival), obtain your Alien Registration Card (ARC) — the official ID card for foreign residents — and begin work

Using a recruiter

Many teachers, especially for hagwon positions, find jobs through placement recruiters. Reputable recruiters are paid by the hiring school or program, not the teacher — if a recruiter asks you to pay a placement fee, that is a red flag. Before signing anything, confirm:

• Every verbal promise (housing type, vacation days, pay) is written into the contract — verbal agreements are not enforceable
• Your salary, exact working hours, and number of teaching hours per week are stated as specific numbers
• The contract does not classify you as an independent contractor (illegal under Korean law for this type of work)
• You are allowed to speak with a current or former teacher at the school before accepting
• National public holidays are paid; Korean law protects foreign workers under the same Labor Standards Act as Korean employees

Important Notes

Program schedules, eligibility requirements, salaries, and benefits change every year. Be sure to verify the latest conditions through the official EPIK site, the Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea), and the actual contract. Note that the TaLK (Teach and Learn in Korea) program, a smaller government program that previously accepted students still completing their bachelor's degree, ended in August 2021 and is no longer accepting applicants; EPIK is now the primary government-sponsored option.

FAQ

What's the difference between EPIK and a hagwon?

EPIK is a government-run program that places English co-teachers in public schools, with a twice-a-year hiring cycle and standardized benefits. Hagwons are private academies that hire year-round with flexible start dates, but with contracts and conditions that vary widely.

What's the minimum degree to teach English in Korea?

A bachelor's degree from a four-year university is required, because it's a condition of the E-2 visa.

Do I need a TEFL or TESOL certificate?

EPIK typically requires or strongly prefers a TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 100 hours. It isn't always mandatory for hagwons, but having one improves your prospects and may place you in a higher salary tier.

What documents do I need to apply?

Core documents for EPIK and most hagwon positions include: an apostilled criminal background check, an apostilled degree certificate, sealed university transcripts, a TEFL/TESOL certificate, a resume and cover letter, and ink-signed recommendation letters (for EPIK's final stage). A health check is completed after you arrive in Korea.

When should I apply for EPIK?

EPIK uses rolling admissions — positions fill as slots are claimed, not on a fixed deadline. For the Fall intake (start Aug–Oct), applications typically open around February; for the Spring intake (start late Feb–Mar), around August. Apply as early as possible, as popular provinces fill quickly.

How much do new teachers earn to start?

New teachers typically start around 2.0–2.9 million won/month, roughly USD 1,400–2,100, often with provided housing or a housing allowance on top.

Can I choose which city I teach in?

With EPIK your work location is assigned and could be a major city or a rural area, so your choice is limited. A hagwon posting is tied to a specific academy, so you apply to a known location instead.

Do recruiters charge teachers a fee?

Reputable recruiters are paid by the employer or program, so teachers normally pay no placement fee — but confirm whether any fees apply before you sign.

Is the TaLK program still available?

No. The TaLK (Teach and Learn in Korea) program ended in August 2021. EPIK is now the primary government-sponsored English teaching program in Korea.