E-9 Visa Salary Calculator Korea: Overtime & Severance Pay 2026
E-9 Visa Salary Calculator Korea: Overtime & Severance Pay 2026
Free calculator to understand your E-9 visa salary in Korea. Many foreign workers don't know their real income or lose money because they don't verify overtime pay calculations.
Quick Answer: Average E-9 workers earn ₩2.4-3.0 million/month including overtime. After 3 years, you get ₩7-10 million severance pay. Over 3 years, you can send home ₩64-104 million ($48,000-78,000 USD).
E-9 Visa Salary Structure: Understanding Your Pay
Your total monthly income includes several components:
| Component | Description | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Regular work hours (209 hours/month) | ₩2,010,580 - ₩2,500,000 |
| Overtime Pay | Extra hours at 1.5x rate | ₩300,000 - ₩800,000 |
| Holiday Work Pay | Work on holidays at 1.5x or 2x | ₩100,000 - ₩300,000 |
| Night Shift Bonus | Work 10 PM - 6 AM | ₩50,000 - ₩150,000 |
| Meal Allowance | Food support (if provided) | ₩100,000 - ₩200,000 |
2026 Minimum Wage in Korea
| Unit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | ₩9,620 |
| Monthly (209 hours) | ₩2,010,580 |
| Annual | ₩24,126,960 |
Important: All E-9 workers must receive at least minimum wage. If you're paid less, this is illegal.
Average E-9 Salary by Industry
| Industry | Base Salary | With Overtime | Total Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | ₩2,010K - ₩2,300K | ₩400K - ₩700K | ₩2,400K - ₩3,000K |
| Agriculture | ₩2,010K - ₩2,200K | ₩200K - ₩400K | ₩2,200K - ₩2,600K |
| Construction | ₩2,200K - ₩2,800K | ₩400K - ₩800K | ₩2,600K - ₩3,600K |
| Fisheries | ₩2,010K - ₩2,400K | ₩300K - ₩600K | ₩2,300K - ₩3,000K |
| Service | ₩2,010K - ₩2,200K | ₩100K - ₩300K | ₩2,100K - ₩2,500K |
How to Calculate Overtime Pay (1.5x Rate)
Overtime pay is one of the most important parts of E-9 worker income.
Korean Labor Law on Overtime
- Regular work week: 40 hours maximum
- Regular work day: 8 hours maximum
- Overtime is voluntary (you can refuse)
- Overtime pay: 1.5x your normal hourly rate
- Weekend work: 1.5x rate
- Holiday work: 2.0x rate
Step-by-Step Overtime Calculation
Step 1: Calculate Your Hourly Rate
Formula: Monthly Salary ÷ 209 hours = Hourly Rate
Example: Base salary ₩2,200,000/month → ₩2,200,000 ÷ 209 hours = ₩10,526 per hour
Step 2: Calculate Overtime Rate
Formula: Hourly Rate × 1.5 = Overtime Rate
Example: ₩10,526 × 1.5 = ₩15,789 per overtime hour
Step 3: Calculate Monthly Overtime Pay
Formula: Overtime Hours × Overtime Rate = Overtime Pay
Example: 50 hours × ₩15,789 = ₩789,450 overtime pay
Overtime Pay Quick Reference Table
| Base Salary | Hourly Rate | OT Rate (1.5x) | 10 Hours OT | 30 Hours OT | 50 Hours OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₩2,010,000 | ₩9,617 | ₩14,426 | ₩144,260 | ₩432,780 | ₩721,300 |
| ₩2,200,000 | ₩10,526 | ₩15,789 | ₩157,890 | ₩473,670 | ₩789,450 |
| ₩2,500,000 | ₩11,962 | ₩17,943 | ₩179,430 | ₩538,290 | ₩897,150 |
| ₩2,800,000 | ₩13,397 | ₩20,096 | ₩200,960 | ₩602,880 | ₩1,004,800 |
Severance Pay: Your Rights When Contract Ends
Severance pay (퇴직금) is money your employer MUST pay you when you finish working. This is required by Korean law.
Who Qualifies for Severance Pay?
You get severance pay if:
- Worked at the same company for 1 year or more
- Worked average of 15 hours or more per week
- Contract ends (finished, not renewed, or terminated)
All E-9 workers who complete their contract qualify.
How Much Severance Pay Do You Get?
Simple Calculation:
- 1 year of work = 1 month of average wage
- 2 years = 2 months of average wage
- 3 years = 3 months of average wage
Real Severance Pay Examples
Example: Thuy from Vietnam
Manufacturing worker in Ansan, 3 years contract
Fee
Average Monthly Wage: ₩2,850,000
Speed
Work Period: 3 years
Example: Rajesh from Nepal
Construction worker in Incheon, 4 years 8 months
Fee
Average Monthly Wage: ₩3,100,000
Speed
Work Period: 4.67 years
When Do You Receive Severance Pay?
- Legal requirement: Within 14 days of your last working day
- Typical: 7-14 days after contract end
- Payment method: Bank transfer to your Korean account
Warning: Some employers try to avoid paying severance by claiming you "quit voluntarily." Make sure your contract completion is documented properly.
Real Income Breakdown: How Much Can You Send Home?
Scenario 1: Basic Income (Minimal Overtime)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base salary | ₩2,100,000 |
| Overtime (20 hours) | ₩300,000 |
| Meal allowance | ₩100,000 |
| Total Income | ₩2,500,000 |
| Deductions (tax, insurance) | -₩273,625 |
| Net Income | ₩2,226,375 |
| Living Expenses | -₩630,000 |
| Available to Send Home | ₩1,596,375 |
Scenario 2: Average Income (Regular Overtime)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base salary | ₩2,300,000 |
| Overtime (45 hours) | ₩650,000 |
| Weekend work | ₩200,000 |
| Meal allowance | ₩150,000 |
| Total Income | ₩3,300,000 |
| Deductions | -₩390,185 |
| Net Income | ₩2,909,815 |
| Living Expenses | -₩815,000 |
| Available to Send Home | ₩2,094,815 |
Scenario 3: High Income (Maximum Overtime)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base salary | ₩2,600,000 |
| Overtime (60 hours) | ₩950,000 |
| Weekend & holiday work | ₩400,000 |
| Night shift bonus | ₩150,000 |
| Meal allowance | ₩200,000 |
| Total Income | ₩4,300,000 |
| Deductions | -₩564,635 |
| Net Income | ₩3,735,365 |
| Living Expenses | -₩1,150,000 |
| Available to Send Home | ₩2,585,365 |
3-Year Income Summary
| Income Level | Monthly Sent | Annual Sent | 3-Year Severance | Total 3 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₩1,600,000 | ₩19,200,000 | ₩6,300,000 | ₩64,500,000 |
| Average | ₩2,100,000 | ₩25,200,000 | ₩8,500,000 | ₩84,100,000 |
| High | ₩2,600,000 | ₩31,200,000 | ₩10,500,000 | ₩104,100,000 |
Best Remittance Services for E-9 Workers
Gmoneytrans
Best exchange rates for regular senders
Fee
4,000-7,000 KRW
Speed
1-2 days
Savings Example: Sending ₩2,000,000 to Philippines
| Service Type | Fee | Exchange Rate | PHP Received | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gmoneytrans | ₩5,000 | Best | 85,580 PHP | Best value |
| Bank | ₩25,000 | Worst | 81,963 PHP | Most expensive |
Over 1 year (12 transfers): Save ₩792,000 ($600 USD) by using apps instead of banks!
Tips to Maximize Your Income
1. Understand Your Payslip
Check every month:
- Base salary matches contract
- Overtime hours are correct
- Overtime rate is 1.5x
- Deductions are standard amounts
2. Don't Refuse Overtime (If You Can Work)
Impact of overtime:
- 20 hours/month = Extra ₩3.6 million/year
- 50 hours/month = Extra ₩9.0 million/year
3. Use Tax Refund and Tax Incentive
Year-end tax refund: File every January-March, get back ₩500,000 - ₩1,500,000
4. Save on Transfer Fees
Over 3 years:
- Bank fees: ₩25,000 × 36 = ₩900,000 lost
- App fees: ₩5,000 × 36 = ₩180,000 lost
- Savings: ₩720,000 ($540 USD)
Common Salary Mistakes to Avoid
Summary: Know Your Worth, Maximize Your Income
Key Takeaways:
- Minimum wage 2026: ₩9,620/hour or ₩2,010,580/month
- Average E-9 income: ₩2.4-3.0 million/month including overtime
- Overtime rate: 1.5x your hourly rate
- Severance pay: 1 month wage for each year worked
- Over 3 years: Send ₩64-104 million home
Compare remittance services and maximize your E-9 income at RemitBuddy