2018韩国薪资调查（英文版）_23页_1mb

SALARY SURVEY 2018: South Korea Summary

Core Content

The Robert Walters 2018 Salary Survey provides an in-depth analysis of hiring and salary trends in South Korea, highlighting key sectors, compensation changes, and employment dynamics across different industries and roles.

Key Trends

• Overall Hiring Activity:

  • The South Korean job market saw a significant boost in hiring in 2017, driven by the end of political uncertainty following the presidential election and a focus on attracting global talent.
  • Companies in various sectors, especially the automotive and gaming industries, remained active in recruitment.

• Wage Increases:

  • A sharp increase in the hourly minimum wage led to higher wage expectations across the board.
  • Salary increases for most roles averaged 10–20%, with higher increases for specialized and leadership positions.

• Digital Transformation:

  • The trend towards digitalisation continued to shape hiring, with high demand for professionals in cyber security, fintech, big data, and AI.
  • Digital marketing and online sales roles were particularly in demand.

• Candidate Shortages:

  • There were notable shortages in certain sectors, especially in gaming, IT, and engineering.
  • Companies sought to hire professionals with transferable skills, bilingual abilities, and cross-industry experience.

• Industry-Specific Insights:

  • Banking & Financial Services: Continued consolidation and IFRS-related recruitment were prominent. Actuaries, compliance officers, and risk analysts were in high demand with salary increases ranging from 10–25%.
  • Finance & Accounting: Bilingual finance directors and those with CPA qualifications were highly sought after. Salary increases for finance professionals were 10–20%, with higher increases for senior roles.
  • Human Resources: Demand for HR managers with employee relations and union experience rose. HR generalists and specialists saw salary increases of 10–20%, while some roles remained stable.
  • Information Technology: IT vendors faced challenges due to reluctance to adopt SaaS and public cloud. Engineers with AI, big data, and game development skills commanded 15–25% salary increases.
  • Sales & Marketing: There was a strong focus on digital and mobile marketing. Sales professionals with English language skills and bilingual capabilities were in high demand.
  • Automotive & Industrial: The automotive sector remained buoyant due to increased foreign car sales, while industrial and manufacturing sectors saw growth in technical sales and engineering roles.
  • Medical Device & Chemical: Sales and business development roles were in high demand. Bilingual regulatory affairs managers and R&D specialists were particularly sought after.

Key Sectors and Roles

• Banking & Financial Services:

  • Actuaries, compliance officers, and risk analysts were in high demand.
  • Salary increases for actuaries averaged 10–15%, with higher increases for IFRS actuaries due to their scarcity.
  • Compliance and risk roles also saw 10–20% increases.

• Finance & Accounting:

  • Bilingual finance directors and those with CPA qualifications were highly valued.
  • CFOs and Financial Directors saw salary ranges increase from 90–220m to 90–220m in 2018.
  • Senior financial analysts and accountants also experienced 10–20% salary increases.

• Human Resources:

  • HR managers with employee relations and union experience were in high demand.
  • HR Specialists saw a 15–20% salary increase, with some roles remaining stable.
  • Companies prioritized work-life balance and positive work culture when hiring.

• Information Technology:

  • Engineers with AI, big data, and game development expertise were highly sought after.
  • Technical sales professionals experienced 25–30% salary increases.
  • Senior engineers with English language skills saw up to 20% increases.

• Sales & Marketing:

  • Digital marketing specialists were in short supply, with some roles commanding up to 20% salary increases.
  • Bilingual sales professionals were preferred, especially in the cosmetics and retail industries.

• Automotive & Industrial:

  • Engineers with quality assurance, technical sales, and electrical engineering experience were in high demand.
  • Technical sales professionals experienced 15–20% salary increases.
  • Senior engineers with English language skills saw up to 20% increases.

• Medical Device & Chemical:

  • Sales and business development managers were in high demand.
  • Bilingual regulatory affairs managers and R&D specialists saw significant salary increases due to market shortages.

What Makes Robert Walters Different

• Bespoke, Consultative Service: Robert Walters offers tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of clients and candidates.
• Team-Based Profit Share Model: Unlike many competitors, Robert Walters does not pay individual commission, ensuring a focus on client and candidate needs.
• Specialists in Key Disciplines: Recruiters have direct industry experience, enabling them to understand the unique challenges of each sector.
• Long-Term Strategy: The company focuses on organic growth and discipline diversification, investing in markets for the long term.
• Innovation and Leadership: Robert Walters leads the industry in recruitment process outsourcing and brand development.
• Global Reach with Local Expertise: While operating globally, the company remains committed to local talent and market understanding.

Conclusion

The 2018 Salary Survey highlights a dynamic South Korean job market characterized by digital transformation, candidate shortages, and increased demand for specialized skills. Companies are advised to be flexible in hiring and to prioritize work-life balance, company culture, and career progression to attract top talent. Robert Walters continues to offer a consultative and specialist approach to recruitment, positioning itself as a trusted partner in the global marketplace.