South Korean job seekers raise salary expectations despite tough market

A survey conducted by the recruitment platform Catch involving 1,013 job seekers reveals that salary expectations in South Korea are rising despite a challenging job market in the second half of 2026.

Job seekers reported an average desired annual salary of 44.7 million won, which is an increase from the 43 million won recorded earlier in the year. This expectation exceeds the actual market average of 41.5 million won per year.

When selecting employers, 42% of respondents prioritized annual salary and bonuses as their most important factor. Other key considerations included work-life balance and work environment (18%), and career development opportunities (12%).