# South Korean corporate salary trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-corporate-salary-trends > Updated: 2026-09-02T01:18:18.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Data from the first half of the year indicates rising compensation trends across major South Korean corporate sectors. In the banking sector, the four largest commercial banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori—saw average salaries reach 71.5 million won, a 12.6% increase from the previous year. This growth rate is the highest in 13 years and places banking averages above those of Samsung Electronics. Financial holding companies reported even higher average compensation at 108 million won. Broadening the scope to the top 500 companies in South Korea, the average salary rose by 7.1% to 54.99 million won. While the most common salary range across these firms was between 40 million and 60 million won, significant disparities exist between sectors. Financial holding companies and securities firms led in compensation, with Korea Investment Holdings recording the highest average at 184 million won. In the non-financial sector, SK hynix reported the highest average salary at 144 million won. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: South Korean top 500 companies see 7.1% average salary increase Average salaries at South Korea's top 500 companies rose 7.1% to 54.99 million won in the first half of the year, led by high compensation in the financial and securities sectors. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-top-500-companies-see-71-average-salary-increase ### 2026-08-16: South Korean bankers' average H1 salary exceeds Samsung Electronics South Korean bankers at four major banks earned an average of 71.5 million won in H1, surpassing Samsung Electronics' average. Financial holding company employees averaged 108 million won. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-bankers-average-h1-salary-exceeds-samsung-electronics --- Cite as: South Korean corporate salary trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-corporate-salary-trends