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How it works
- The 2026 minimum wage is ₩10,320 an hour, ₩2,156,880 a month at 40 hours a week.
- Working 15 hours a week or more earns a paid weekly holiday: ₩82,560 a week at full time.
- From January 1, 2027 the minimum rises to ₩10,700 an hour.
- The minimum wage covers foreign workers the same way as Korean workers.
Minimum monthly pay by weekly hours (2026)
At ₩10,320 an hour. Paid hours include the weekly paid holiday.
| Hours a week | Paid holiday hours | Paid hours a month | Minimum monthly pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 hours | 0 hours | 61 hours | ₩629,520 |
| 15 hours | 3 hours | 78 hours | ₩804,960 |
| 20 hours | 4 hours | 104 hours | ₩1,073,280 |
| 25 hours | 5 hours | 130 hours | ₩1,341,600 |
| 30 hours | 6 hours | 156 hours | ₩1,609,920 |
| 35 hours | 7 hours | 183 hours | ₩1,888,560 |
| 40 hours | 8 hours | 209 hours | ₩2,156,880 |
Under 15 hours a week there is no paid holiday.
Why a month is 209 hours
A full-time week is 40 hours plus one paid day off. Spread over a year, that is 209 paid hours a month, so the 2026 minimum monthly pay is ₩10,320 × 209 = ₩2,156,880.
Weekly holiday allowance
Korean law gives workers at least one paid day off a week. The pay for it is the weekly holiday allowance (주휴수당). You get it if you are scheduled for 15 hours a week or more and you worked every scheduled day that week.
Weekly holiday pay = hourly wage × paid holiday hours
At the 2026 minimum wage, 40 hours a week earns ₩82,560 of holiday pay a week, and 20 hours earns ₩41,280. Workplaces with fewer than 5 employees must pay it too.
2027 minimum wage
The 2027 minimum wage was announced on August 5, 2026: ₩10,700 an hour, or ₩2,236,300 a month for 40 hours a week. It applies from January 1, 2027. Pick 2027 in the calculator to check against it.
Minimum wage by year
| Year | Per hour | Per month (40 hours a week) | Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | ₩10,700 | ₩2,236,300 | ₩380 (3.7%) |
| 2026 | ₩10,320 | ₩2,156,880 | ₩290 (2.9%) |
| 2025 | ₩10,030 | ₩2,096,270 | - |
Amounts set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Korea in 2026?
₩10,320 an hour. For 40 hours a week that is ₩2,156,880 a month (209 paid hours). In 2027 it rises to ₩10,700 an hour.
Does the minimum wage apply to foreigners in Korea?
Yes. The Minimum Wage Act uses the same definition of worker as the Labor Standards Act, which has no nationality condition, and the Labor Standards Act (Article 6) bans different working conditions based on nationality.
How is weekly holiday pay calculated?
Hourly wage × weekly hours ÷ 40 × 8, up to 8 hours. With ₩10,320 and 20 hours a week it is ₩41,280 a week. You need at least 15 scheduled hours and full attendance that week.
Can my employer pay less during probation?
Only with a contract of 1 year or longer, only in the first 3 months, and by at most 10% of the hourly minimum. It is not allowed for simple manual labor jobs.
What can I do if I was not paid weekly holiday pay?
Unpaid wages, including weekly holiday pay, can be claimed for 3 years. After that the claim expires.
Sources
- Ministry of Employment and Labor announcements: 2026 minimum wage ₩10,320 (announced August 5, 2025), 2027 minimum wage ₩10,700 (announced August 5, 2026)
- Minimum Wage Act (최저임금법) Article 2: worker as defined in the Labor Standards Act; Article 5(2): probation; Article 10(2): takes effect January 1
- Minimum Wage Act Enforcement Decree (최저임금법 시행령) Article 5: converting monthly pay to hours
- Labor Standards Act (근로기준법) Article 18(3): no paid weekly holiday under 15 hours; Article 55: one paid day off a week; Article 6: no discrimination by nationality (checked October 7, 2026 at law.go.kr)
- Labor Standards Act Enforcement Decree (근로기준법 시행령) Article 30: full attendance for the weekly holiday; Appendix 2: part-time hours
- Labor Standards Act (근로기준법) Article 49: wage claims expire after 3 years
Rules last checked on October 7, 2026.
Not included
- Overtime, night and holiday work premiums.
- Taxes and social insurance taken from pay. Use the Korea Salary Calculator for take-home pay.
- Which allowances count toward the minimum wage check (for example meal or transport pay).
- Day-by-day schedules. Enter the total scheduled hours for the week.