Part-time Jobs in Korea: Pay Calculator & Rules for Foreigners and Students (2026)

Working a part-time job (called alba, 알바, in Korean) is common for international students and young people in Korea. This guide explains the basic pay rules in plain English and includes a calculator that runs only in your browser (nothing you type is saved). The 2026 national minimum wage is 10,320 KRW per hour (Ministry of Employment and Labor Notice No. 2025-47, 고용노동부고시 제2025-47호). 한국어 계산기 보기

Pay calculator

This is a simple estimate. Actual pay depends on your contract, breaks, absences, insurance deductions and workplace size.

1. Minimum wage in 2026

• The minimum wage for 2026 is 10,320 KRW/hour. It applies to foreign workers and students too, as long as you are working as an employee.
• For a full-time schedule (40 hours/week plus weekly holiday pay, 209 hours/month), this equals about 2,156,880 KRW per month.
• Probation reductions are limited and cannot apply to simple-labor jobs, so most part-time jobs should pay at least the full minimum wage from day one.

2. Weekly holiday allowance (주휴수당, juhyu sudang)

• If your scheduled hours are 15 hours or more per week and you work all your scheduled days that week, you are generally entitled to one paid day off.
• Simple formula: (weekly hours ÷ 40) × 8 × hourly wage, capped at 8 hours of pay.
• Example: 20 hours/week at 10,320 KRW → 20 ÷ 40 × 8 = 4 hours → 41,280 KRW extra per week.

3. Night, overtime and holiday pay

• Work between 10 pm and 6 am is paid at 1.5x (an extra 50%) at workplaces with 5 or more regular employees.
• The same 5+ employee rule applies to overtime premiums. Small workplaces (under 5 employees) are not legally required to pay these premiums, though some do.

4. The 3.3% deduction

• Many part-time jobs pay as "business income" and withhold 3.3% (3% income tax + 0.3% local income tax).
• This is a prepayment. You may get some back (or owe more) when filing income tax in May of the following year.
• If you are enrolled in the four major insurances instead, those deductions apply instead of 3.3%.

5. Students on D-2 / D-4 visas: get permission first

• International students (D-2) and language trainees (D-4) generally need permission for part-time employment (시간제취업허가) from immigration before starting work.
• Permission typically involves your school's international office, and there are limits on weekly hours, eligible job types and academic or Korean-language requirements. These rules change, so check the current conditions.
• Working without permission can affect your visa status. Always confirm with HiKorea, the immigration contact center (1345, multilingual) or your local immigration office.

This section is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

6. How to get paid on time

1. Sign a written contract (근로계약서) with hourly wage, hours, payday and workplace. Employers must give you a copy.
2. Keep your own work log: date, start/end time, breaks. Photos of schedules and messages help.
3. Know your payday. Wages must be paid at least once a month on a fixed date, in full, in cash or to your account.
4. Ask for a pay slip (임금명세서) showing how pay and deductions were calculated.
5. If pay is late or short, ask in writing first. If unresolved, contact the Ministry of Employment and Labor at 1350 (interpretation available) or a foreign workers' support center.

Planning a trip with your earnings? You can browse activities on Klook.

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This page provides general information and estimates only and is not legal, labor, tax or immigration advice. Confirm exact details with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350), National Tax Service (126) and HiKorea/immigration (1345).