Is my 2026 pay above minimum wage?
The day we opened the government source and matched the numbers. This is not a labor attorney's review.
The 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour. On the basis of 209 hours a month that is 2,156,880 won. Whether the overtime, night and holiday premiums apply depends on the workplace size and industry (see below).
How much extra should I receive
| When | Added to ordinary wages |
|---|---|
| Overtime (over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week) | +0.5x |
| Night work (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) | +0.5x |
| Holiday work (within 8 hours) | +0.5x |
| Holiday work, the part over 8 hours | +1.0x |
| Night and overtime at the same time | +1.0x |
"+0.5x" is the extra part added to your ordinary wage. If your ordinary hourly wage is 10,320 won, one hour of overtime is 15,480 won (10,320 + 5,160). Ordinary wages can include other allowances besides base pay, so ask 1350 what your ordinary hourly wage is.
It does not apply to every workplace
The order to check in
- Check the hourly wage or the monthly base pay in your labor contract.
- Check your real working hours and the premium items on your pay slip.
- Calculate it yourself and compare.
- If there is a difference, ask the company first, and if it is not solved, get counseling at 1350.
Even in farming and livestock, 1 May is a paid holiday
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
- Ministry of Employment and Labor — 2026 minimum wage, 10,320 won per hour 고용노동부 — 2026년 적용 최저임금 시간급 10,320원 checked 2026-09-13
- Ministry of Employment and Labor — 2027 minimum wage, 10,700 won per hour (effective 2027-01-01) 고용노동부 — 2027년 적용 최저임금 시간급 10,700원 (2027-01-01 시행) checked 2026-09-13
- Korean Law Information Center — Labor Standards Act 국가법령정보센터 — 근로기준법 checked 2026-08-31