Is a Starting Salary of 36 Million Won Okay for a New Developer?
I'm about to graduate from a local university with a computer science degree, and a small-to-medium company offered me a starting salary of 36 million won as a new developer. I feel like this might be on the low side for Seoul, but since it's in a local area, I'm not sure if this is decent. The benefits include lunch provided, casual dress code, and about 15 days of annual leave. It's my first job, so it's hard to decide. Any advice would be appreciated.
7 answers
3600 based on regional standards is quite decent. It might be lower in Seoul, but considering regional cost of living and expenses, the actual satisfaction level could be higher. Lunch provided and free dress code are also big pluses. If it's your first job, it seems like a reasonable condition for gaining experience.
I also started at 3200 as a new hire in the provinces, so 3600 is a really good offer. I'm especially envious of the solid benefits package. I think learning and growth potential are more important than salary for your first company. Make sure to double-check the company atmosphere.
What's the company size and industry like? Even if it's a small or medium-sized enterprise, 3600 isn't bad if it's a startup or has growth potential. However, it might be a good idea to check additional details like annual salary increase rates and overtime pay.
If you're earning 3600 in a regional area, that's top-tier! I started with a similar salary in the metropolitan area, but considering the cost of living in the regions, you'll actually have more leeway. The lunch provision saves about 200,000 won per month, and the casual dress code is also a stress reliever. I'm envious!
If it's your first job, the growth environment might be more important than the salary. 36 million won isn't bad, but what about the in-house development culture and mentoring system? Checking whether there are plenty of opportunities to gain experience with tech stacks and projects will help you in the long run.
I had a similar concern, and 36 million won for a new hire in a provincial area is a reasonable level. However, since it's a small-to-medium-sized company, promotions or salary increases may be limited, so it's a good idea to keep job-hopping in mind after 2-3 years. The benefits seem decent, so focus on gaining experience for now.
Congratulations! That's a really good deal for a local position. I started under similar conditions and surpassed 4000 by my second year. Free lunch is a huge perk, and the casual dress code also helps with work efficiency. If it's your first job, don't hesitate—going for it is definitely an option!