Updated Surgeon Salary in South Korea (2025): Monthly & Annual Pay Insights

South Korea is known for its advanced healthcare system and high standard of medical education, making it an attractive location for medical professionals. For surgeons, in particular, the demand and value of their expertise are reflected well in their salaries. With income levels that can vary based on a few factors, such as specialisation, experience, and the type of institution they work in, surgeons in South Korea generally enjoy competitive salaries with various benefits. This article provides you with brief information about the surgeon salary in South Korea and what surgeons can expect as they build their careers in this country. 

What is the Average Surgeon’s Salary In South Korea

The average yearly compensation for surgeons in South Korea is KRW 163,201,300 or around KRW 13,600,108 per month. Salary ranges, however, are rather wide; some surgeons make as little as KRW 76,560,700 (KRW 6,380,058 per month) while others make as much as KRW 256,799,900 (KRW 21,399,991 per month). Experience, geography, and workplace can all have an impact on a surgeon’s pay.

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Surgeon Salary In South Korea By Experience Level 

In 2025, surgeon salaries in South Korea show a steady and substantial rise with years of experience. Entry-level surgeons with 0 to 2 years of experience earn an average annual salary of approximately KRW 88,321,100. As they gain experience, their earnings grow significantly. Surgeons with 2 to 5 years of experience earn around KRW 121,199,300 per year, marking a 34% increase from the entry-level range.

Those in the 5 to 10 years experience bracket see their average salary rise to about KRW 172,800,900, which is a 30% jump from the previous level and a 74% increase compared to entry-level salaries. With 10 to 15 years of experience, surgeons earn an estimated KRW 211,199,300 annually, representing a further 21% growth.

Surgeons with 15 to 20 years of experience earn around KRW 223,198,300, reflecting a 10% rise, and at the peak of their careers, over 20 years of experience, the average salary climbs to nearly KRW 242,398,700 per year, about 5% higher than the previous bracket. Overall, highly experienced surgeons in South Korea can earn nearly 2.5 times more than those just starting their careers.

Experience is also another important component that significantly affects the average wage in South Korea. Here, we’ve included the surgeons’ experience level-based pay information: 

Experience Level	Average Salary Per Year
0-2 Years	KRW 88,321,100
2-5 Years	KRW 121,199,300
5-10 Years	KRW 172,800,900
10-15 Years	KRW 211,199,300
15-20 Years	KRW 223,198,300
20+ Years	KRW 242,398,700

Surgeon Salary In South Korea By Education Level

In 2025, a surgeon’s salary in South Korea can vary greatly depending on their education level, and the difference is quite significant. On average, surgeons with only a Bachelor’s degree earn around KRW 19,400,000 per year, which is the lowest among all qualification levels. However, surgeons who advance to a Master’s degree see a noticeable increase in earnings, averaging about KRW 58,300,000 annually, which is approximately 28% more than those with just a Bachelor’s.

The highest-paid group consists of surgeons holding a Doctorate or a specialised MD, earning around KRW 100,000,000 per year—a substantial 38% increase over Master’s degree holders, and nearly 77% higher than those with only a Bachelor’s degree.

Education is one of the main factors that determines a person’s pay level in South Korea. Generally speaking, people with a master’s or PhD and multiple additional advanced degrees make more money than someone with simply a bachelor’s degree or other less advanced degrees. Here, we’ve included the pay data according to educational attainment: 

Education Level	Average Salary Per Year
Bachelor’s Degree	KRW 19,400,000
Master’s Degree	KRW 58,300,000
PhD	KRW 100,000,000

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Surgeon Salary In South Korea By Organisation 

Surgeons in public institutions such as national or university hospitals earn an average of KRW 1,720,000 per year, which is about 12% below the national average.

Surgeons in Private Hospitals & Clinics typically earn around KRW 2,080,000/year, approximately 7% above the average. These roles often include bonuses and performance-based incentives.

The type of organisation also has a significant impact on the surgeon’s pay range. The best South Korean surgical organisation and their pay ranges are listed here:

Organisation	Average Salary Per Year
Brigham and Women’s Hospital	KRW 1,200,000- KRW 8,800,000
Wonjin Plastic Surgery Clinic	KRW 24,000,000- KRW 25,000,000
Movinci Hair Transplant	KRW 5,700,000- KRW 6,300,000
Kyung Hee University Hospital	KRW 8,600,000- KRW 9,400,000
Severance Hospital	KRW 8,400,000- KRW 9,600,000
The Catholic University of Korea University	KRW 80,000,000- KRW 90,000,000
Yonsei University Health System	KRW 10,000,000- KRW 12,000,000
Seoul National University Hospital	KRW 2,600,000- KRW 2,90,000
Korean Ministry of Public Safety and Security	KRW 2,900,000-KRW 3,100,000

Surgeon Salary In South Korea By Cities 

The national average surgeon salary in South Korea in 2025 is approximately KRW 148,800,000 per year. Cities like Seoul and Busan offer higher pay, while regional cities provide moderate to low compensation but may compensate with a lower cost of living and slower pace of work.

According to salary reports, South Korea’s major cities, such as Seoul, have the highest average salaries when compared to smaller towns and even rural areas. Here, we have listed the surgeons’ salaries according to South Korean cities: 

Cities	Average Salary Per Year
Bucheon	KRW 131,998,300
Busan	KRW 158,398,200
Gwangju	KRW 154,800,100
Daejeon	KRW 159,601,400
Suwon	KRW 149,999,200
Ulsan	KRW 144,001,700
Seongnam	KRW 139,199,500
Incheon	KRW 153,600,700
Goyang	KRW 139,199,500
Daegu	KRW 148,800,300

Surgeon Salary In South Korea By Positions

In South Korea, a surgeon’s salary can vary significantly depending on their position within the medical hierarchy. From entry-level surgical roles to senior consultant positions, the difference in pay can be substantial. Surgeons in specialised positions generally earn higher salaries compared to those in more general roles, thanks to their advanced skills and years of experience.

Here are the salary details for surgeons and other relevant roles in South Korea, where you can work and make a lot of money: 

Positions	Average Salary Per Year
Surgeon – Cardiothoracic	KRW 202,799,300
Surgeon – Neurology	KRW 177,599,600
Surgeon – Heart Transplant	KRW 224,398,200
Surgical Technologist	KRW 48,961,500
Surgical Instrument Technician	KRW 47,280,300
Surgical Assistant	KRW 50,158,700
Surgeon – Trauma	KRW 157,201,600
Surgeon – Plastic Reconstructive	KRW 194,398,100
Surgeon – Pediatric	KRW 164,398,100
Surgeon – Orthopedic	KRW 202,799,300

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