What's in this guide
This page compares teaching in South Korea through EPIK (public schools) versus private hagwons, verified on 27/09/2026; it lists typical differences, shared requirements and practical checklists to help you choose based on your profile (not all contracts follow the patterns below). (source: Go)
Public schools (EPIK) vs Private hagwons — what this comparison covers
This comparison focuses on contract type, salary & benefits, workload and schedule, housing and relocation, career development and visa/legal steps as typically observed in Korea up to 27/09/2026. It does not list every individual contract; hagwon terms vary widely and must be checked case by case. Read the official EPIK pages and regional office PDFs linked in the sources below before accepting an offer. (source: Go)
Warning (read before you sign): check embassy guidance and the Office of Education documents for your assigned province; confirm written visa sponsorship, housing terms and allowances with the employer and keep copies of all documents. (source: Go)
What they have in common
Both EPIK positions and hagwon jobs share several baseline requirements and legal frameworks:
Sources summarizing these commonalities include EPIK official pages and market guides. (source: Go ; Teachenglishasia)
Employer & contract
EPIK: contracts follow a standardized format managed by the Office of Education in the hiring province; placement procedures are formal and documented on EPIK pages. (source: Go)
Hagwon: contracts are written by each private employer and can vary widely; terms are negotiable but differ in clarity and scope. Guides advise requesting the full written contract, photos of provided housing and explicit clauses on working hours and duties. (source: Teachenglishasia)
Checklist for contracts: request full contract copy, housing clause, holiday pay clause, severance conditions and notice period before signing.
Salary & benefits
EPIK: salary and benefits follow provincial grids published by EPIK and by local Offices of Education; EPIK pages and regional PDFs list salary levels and allowances—market summaries note public EPIK levels typically reported around ₩2.1M–₩2.8M/month depending on level and province. Housing is either provided or a housing stipend may apply (examples on EPIK pages and provincial PDFs). (source: Go ; Korvia)
Hagwon: pay is highly variable; some hagwons offer competitive packages or bonuses, others offer lower rates. Market guides and forums emphasize verifying payslips and contractual payment terms rather than assuming one model fits all. (source: Korvia ; Simpletefl)
Note on allowances: provincial entrance or settlement allowances are specified in regional PDFs (examples exist and must be cited per office when used). Sample provincial figures appear in regional PDFs referenced below. (source: Go)
Workload & schedule
EPIK: teaching typically aligns with regular school hours and school vacations; evening and weekend teaching is usually less common in public schools. (source: Go)
Hagwon: schedules can include evening and weekend classes, especially for children’s after-school classes; weekly hours and peak periods differ by employer, so clarify expected weekly hours, evening shifts and camp duties in writing. (source: Korvia ; Reddit)
Housing & relocation
EPIK: housing is usually arranged by the Office of Education or a stipend is given; some offices list a housing stipend example such as 400,000 KRW/month—check the assigned province’s PDF and EPIK pages for the definitive terms. (source: Go ; Go)
Hagwon: private employers may offer housing that varies in quality; always request photos, the rental agreement and explicit deposit clauses before arrival.
Career & professional development
EPIK: public school experience is often recognized as stable professional experience in education and may include structured development opportunities via the Office of Education. TEFL/CELTA/TESOL courses of 100+ hours influence EPIK placement levels; EPIK documents list training requirements for certain levels. (source: Go)
Hagwon: private sector experience can lead to faster pay changes or franchise-based progression in some chains, but pathways depend on the employer.
Visa & legality
E-2 visa processes are standard for foreign English teachers; employers (public offices or private hagwons) handle sponsorship steps but required documents (apostilled diploma, criminal record check, medical checks) are common across both paths. Confirm which documents your employer will submit and which you must prepare. (source: Go)
Comparison table
Contract
Salary & benefits
Housing
Hours & schedule
Visa
Which one should you choose? — verdict by usage
No absolute winner: choose by the contract offered and your priorities.
Practical checklist before signing
- Obtain the full written contract in English and Korean; keep copies of both.
- Confirm visa sponsorship type and which documents the employer will prepare.
- Request housing details: photos, lease terms, deposit clauses and any stipend amount in writing.
- Ask for pay schedule, examples of payslips and written terms for bonuses or allowances.
- Confirm weekly hours, expected evening/weekend shifts and camp obligations in writing.
- Verify requirements for placement level, including TEFL/CELTA/CertTESOL hours if relevant. (source: Go)
- Keep a copy of regional Office of Education PDFs that detail allowances relevant to your posting.
FAQ
Do hagwons provide visas? — Yes, private hagwons typically sponsor the E-2 visa as employers do for foreign teachers; confirm which documents they will submit for you. (source: Go)
Does EPIK pay more? — EPIK publishes provincial pay grids and public offers can be compared directly via EPIK and regional PDFs; market summaries note reported EPIK ranges but individual hagwon offers can be higher or lower, so compare actual contract terms. (source: Go ; Korvia)
Do I need TEFL? — EPIK lists TEFL/TESOL/CELTA course hour requirements for certain placement levels (100+ hours referenced for level progression). Check the EPIK requirements page for details. (source: Go)
Keep reading in this section
Sam Reyes
Sam taught English in South Korea for six years, first with EPIK in a public middle school, then at a Seoul hagwon. He now writes about hiring seasons, visa paperwork and what public and…
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