Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Surgeon salary

In South Korea, a surgeon earns about 229% more than a dental hygienist $331,259 vs $100,664 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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$100,664/yr
Monthly
$8,389
Hourly
$48
Range
$75,297$131,668
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$331,259/yr
Monthly
$27,605
Hourly
$159
Range
$212,006$477,013
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$75,297$212,006
25th$87,980$271,633
Median$100,664$331,259
75th$116,166$404,136
Senior (90th)$131,668$477,013

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or surgeon earn more in South Korea?
A surgeon earns more, at about ₩497,330,000 per year vs ₩151,130,000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 229% (₩346,200,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A dental hygienist typically earns ₩113,045,200–₩197,678,000, while a surgeon earns ₩318,291,200–₩716,155,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about ₩12,594,200 and a surgeon about ₩41,444,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a dental hygienist earns about ₩113,045,200 while a surgeon earns about ₩318,291,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a dental hygienist earns about ₩197,678,000 while a surgeon earns about ₩716,155,200 per year.
Are dental hygienist and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare 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.