Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Chef vs Plumber salary

In South Korea, a chef earns about 4% more than a plumber $80,116 vs $76,812 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is KRW). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Skilled Trades
Chef
$80,116/yr
Monthly
$6,676
Hourly
$39
Range
$51,274$115,366
10-yr outlook
+5%
Skilled Trades
Plumber
$76,812/yr
Monthly
$6,401
Hourly
$37
Range
$52,616$106,384
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefPlumber
Entry (10th)$51,274$52,616
25th$65,695$64,714
Median$80,116$76,812
75th$97,741$91,598
Senior (90th)$115,366$106,384

National South Korea figures in KRW. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chef or plumber earn more in South Korea?
A chef earns more, at about ₩120,280,000 per year vs ₩115,320,000 for a plumber — roughly 4% (₩4,960,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A chef typically earns ₩76,979,200–₩173,203,200, while a plumber earns ₩78,994,200–₩159,718,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chef averages about ₩10,023,300 and a plumber about ₩9,610,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a chef earns about ₩76,979,200 while a plumber earns about ₩78,994,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a chef earns about ₩173,203,200 while a plumber earns about ₩159,718,200 per year.
Are chef and plumber similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.