Wage Gap Between Regular and Non-Regular Workers Widens

The wage gap between regular and non-regular workers in South Korea has reached an all-time high, with non-regular workers earning significantly less than their regular counterparts. According to the National Data Agency's August 2026 supplementary survey, the monthly wage difference widened to 1,940,000 won ($1,464), the largest gap ever recorded.

This disparity is primarily due to the growing number of non-regular workers, who now account for 38.5% of all wage earners, up from 38.4% last year. Non-regular workers, who include part-time, fixed-term, and atypical employees, saw a 113,000 increase in numbers, while regular workers only increased by 10,000.

A significant portion of the wage gap can be attributed to the lower wage levels of non-regular workers, particularly those in part-time positions. The monthly average wage of non-regular workers, excluding part-time workers, was 3,098,000 won, compared to 4,052,000 won for regular workers. This represents a 954,000 won difference, or 76.5% of regular workers' wages.

The wage gap has been exacerbated by the declining populations in certain age groups, such as those aged 15 to 29 and in their 40s, who are more likely to be non-regular workers. Furthermore, female non-regular workers outnumbered their male counterparts by 46,000, with a proportion of 57.2%, down slightly from the previous year.