Over 30% of Foreign Workers in Korea Earn More Than 3 Million Won Monthly

A recent survey shows that 36.9% of foreign workers in South Korea earn over 3 million KRW per month, with high overall job satisfaction.

Published on 04/18/2026, 01:081 min read1

Over 30% of Foreign Workers in Korea Earn More Than 3 Million Won Monthly

Background → Recent statistics on foreign workers in South Korea → Foreign workers are described as significant consumers → Survey findings and outlook → ① 36.9% earn at least 3 million KRW monthly → ② Overall job satisfaction is 68.7% → ③ Satisfaction is 77% for non-professional workers and 74.7% for professional staff → ④ Experts expect the trend to ease labor shortages and support a stable employment environment → Who is affected? → Foreign workers may gain from high earnings and satisfaction while Korea's labor market and domestic economy may benefit → Income figure → Check the share earning at least 3 million KRW monthly → Satisfaction → Compare overall satisfaction with the worker-group figures → Expected impact → Distinguish expert expectations from reported survey findings

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Foreign Workers Enter a New Era of High Income

According to recent statistics, 36.9% of foreign individuals working in South Korea earn a monthly income of 3 million KRW or more. This serves as a key indicator that the Korean labor market is providing attractive financial rewards to international workers.

"Foreign workers are no longer just low-wage laborers; they are becoming significant consumption agents (people who play a central role in buying goods and using services) in our economy."

High Job Satisfaction Across Various Sectors

The overall job satisfaction rate among foreign workers reached 68.7%. Notably, non-professional workers (individuals performing manual labor, often under the E-9 visa) showed the highest satisfaction at 77%. Professional staff (specialists with specific skills or knowledge) also recorded a high satisfaction rate of 74.7%.

Non-professional Worker Satisfaction: 77.0%
Professional Staff Satisfaction: 74.7%
Overall Average Satisfaction: 68.7%

Future Outlook and Impact on Society

Experts analyze that this trend will help solve labor shortages in South Korea while positively impacting the domestic economy (the flow of goods and services within the country). The high level of satisfaction among foreign workers is expected to contribute to creating a more stable and sustainable employment environment.

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