How to read your first payslip
The day we opened the government source and matched the numbers. This is not a labor attorney's review.
When you get your first salary, make sure you get a payslip. The company must give you a written pay statement (electronic is fine) when paying wages (Labor Standards Act, Article 48).
What each line means
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Base pay | Wage for the working hours set in your contract |
| Overtime, night, holiday pay | Extra pay for hours beyond the contract, or at night and on holidays |
| Weekly holiday pay | Paid rest-day wage when you meet the conditions on working hours, full attendance and industry (see the “Weekly holiday pay and annual leave” guide) |
| Deductions | Money taken out of your salary, such as tax and insurance |
The extra-pay rates and this year’s minimum wage are in the “Minimum wage and allowances” guide. We do not copy them here — they change every year.
Why deductions are taken out
- Income tax and local income tax are deducted.
- National pension, health insurance and employment insurance premiums may be deducted. Check the insurance deduction items and amounts on your payslip. The rates may not be printed on it, so if you want to know them, ask the insurance agency concerned.
- Dormitory and meal costs are collected within the amount in your contract, and taking them from your wages in advance needs written consent in your own language. See the “Dormitory deductions” guide for the details.
Compare in this order
Check it with the calculator
- Find the hourly wage (or monthly base pay) and the hours you worked on the payslip.
- Enter the wage and hours in this app’s wage calculator.
- Compare the calculator’s result with the gross amount on the payslip.
- If they differ, ask the company first. If it is not resolved, call 1350.
Read next
Rules change often, and the same rule applies differently to different people. Check your own case with 1350 (Ministry of Employment and Labor customer center). Its phone counseling in foreign languages is in English and Chinese. For your own language, ask 1345 (Immigration Contact Center).
This is reference material. Rules change often — always confirm with the hotline below before you file anything.
Sources
- Labor Standards Act, Article 48 — wage ledger and pay statement 근로기준법 제48조(임금대장 및 임금명세서) checked 2026-09-22