South Korea wage earners earning over 3 million won exceed 50%

For the first time since statistics began being recorded in 2013, more than half of wage earners in South Korea earn a monthly average of 3 million won or more. According to data released by the national data agency for the first half of 2026, the proportion of workers in this bracket reached 51.9% as of April.

The share of high-income earners making over 5 million won per month also hit a record high of 17.6%, likely driven by performance bonuses in sectors such as semiconductors. High-wage concentrations were most prominent in finance and insurance (40.5%), professional and scientific services (37.5%), and information and communications (35.8%).

However, income polarization remains a concern, as the proportion of low-wage earners making less than 2 million won per month rose to 19.1%.

In terms of employment trends, the aging population has led to significant growth in the health and social welfare sectors. Employment in non-residential welfare facility operations rose by 155,000 people, while medical facility employment also saw increases. Conversely, sectors such as agriculture, construction engineering, and retail experienced declines in employment.