Negotiate Your Korean Salary Like a Pro with Data!
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Are you preparing for a job interview in Korea or getting ready for your annual review? Talking about money can be tricky, but today, we’re going to tackle a crucial skill: how to negotiate your salary and benefits like a professional. And the secret weapon is data!
Lately in Korea, with the rise of transparent job platforms, it’s become a trend for employees to research their market value and come prepared. Companies are also more open to these data-based discussions. So, let’s learn the essential Korean phrases to help you state your case logically and confidently to get the compensation you deserve!
Core Expressions for Your Negotiation
Here are the key phrases you need to master.
1. 업계 평균 연봉 (Eopgye pyeonggyun yeonbong)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Eop-gye pyeong-gyun yeon-bong
* English Meaning: Industry average salary
* Detailed Explanation: This is your golden phrase! It’s a compound noun made of 업계 (eopgye – industry), 평균 (pyeonggyun – average), and 연봉 (yeonbong – annual salary). Using this term immediately shows the HR manager that you’ve done your homework and are approaching the negotiation professionally. It’s a formal and respectful way to bring up salary benchmarks.
2. ~을/를 기준으로 (~eul/reul gijun-euro)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: ~eul/reul gi-jun-eu-ro
* English Meaning: Based on ~ / According to ~
* Detailed Explanation: This grammar pattern is your best friend when presenting evidence. You attach it to a noun to indicate that it’s the basis for your statement. For example, “데이터를 기준으로” (deiteo-reul gijun-euro) means “based on the data.” It makes your argument sound objective, logical, and much more persuasive than simply saying “I want…”
3. 제시하다 (Jesihada)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Je-si-ha-da
* English Meaning: To present; to suggest; to propose
* Detailed Explanation: While you might know the verb 보여주다 (boyeojuda – to show), 제시하다 is a more formal and professional choice for a business context. You don’t just “show” data; you formally “present” it. You can also use it to “propose” or “suggest” a salary figure. Example: “희망 연봉을 제시해 주세요.” (Huimang yeonbong-eul jesihae juseyo) – “Please propose your desired salary.”
4. 합리적인 수준 (Hamnijeogin sujun)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Ham-ni-jeo-gin su-jun
* English Meaning: A reasonable level
* Detailed Explanation: This phrase proves you’re not just picking a number out of thin air. 합리적이다 (hamnijeogida) means to be rational or reasonable, and 수준 (sujun) means level. By describing your desired salary as a “합리적인 수준,” you frame yourself as a fair and logical candidate, which is highly valued in Korean work culture.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation between a job applicant (A) and an HR Manager (B).
A: 제가 조사한 바에 따르면, 제 경력과 직무에 대한 업계 평균 연봉은 약 6천만 원입니다.
(Jega josahan ba-e ttareumyeon, je gyeongnyeok-gwa jingmu-e daehan eopgye pyeonggyun yeonbong-eun yak yukcheonman won-imnida.)
According to my research, the industry average salary for my experience and role is about 60 million KRW.
B: 그렇군요. 어떤 자료를 참고하셨는지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
(Geureokun-yo. Eotteon jaryo-reul chamgohasyeotneunji yeojjwobwado doelkkayo?)
I see. May I ask what data you referred to?
A: 네, 최신 채용 플랫폼의 데이터를 기준으로 말씀드리는 것입니다. 이 자료를 제시해 드려도 괜찮을까요?
(Ne, choesin chaeyong peullaetpom-ui deiteo-reul gijun-euro malsseumdeurineun geosimnida. I jaryo-reul jesihae deuryeodo gwaenchaneulkkayo?)
Yes, I am speaking based on data from recent job platforms. Would it be alright if I present this data to you?
B: 네, 좋습니다. 검토 후 다시 이야기 나누시죠.
(Ne, joseumnida. Geomto hu dasi iyagi nanusijyo.)
Yes, that’s fine. Let’s discuss it again after we review it.
A: 감사합니다. 저는 이 정도가 서로에게 합리적인 수준이라고 생각합니다.
(Gamsahamnida. Jeoneun i jeongdo-ga seoro-ege hamnijeogin sujun-irago saenggakhamnida.)
Thank you. I believe this is a reasonable level for both of us.
Cultural Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korean business culture, being direct about wanting more money can sometimes be seen as aggressive. However, framing your request with objective data completely changes the dynamic!
- Logic Over Emotion: Using phrases like 업계 평균 연봉 and ~을/를 기준으로 shifts the conversation from “what I want” to “what the market data says.” This appeals to the value placed on logic and preparation.
- The MZ Generation Trend: Recently, Korean MZ generation workers are actively using anonymous workplace community apps like ‘Blind’ to share salary information. This has led to greater salary transparency and has normalized data-backed negotiations. When you use this approach, you’re not just speaking good Korean—you’re aligning with a modern trend in the Korean workplace! You’ll look like an insider who understands the culture.
Wrap-up & Practice Time!
Great job! Today, we learned four powerful expressions to help you confidently negotiate your salary in a Korean company: 업계 평균 연봉, ~을/를 기준으로, 제시하다, and 합리적인 수준. Remember, preparation and confident communication are key!
Now, let’s practice what you’ve learned.
- Fill in the blanks:
저는 채용 플랫폼 데이터를 (__________) 회사에 (__________) 연봉을 (__________).
(Hint: Use “based on”, “reasonable”, and “proposed/presented”) -
Make a Sentence: Imagine you found data that the average salary for your role is 50 million KRW. How would you say, “Based on the industry average salary, I believe 50 million won is a reasonable level”?
Try to answer the questions in the comments below using the expressions we learned today. We’d love to see your sentences! 파이팅! (Fighting!)
