🇰🇷 South Korea · Licensed Architect
From KRW 66M / yr (≈$46K USD) by industry
Mean salary — KRW 66M / yr (≈$46K USD).
KRW 66M / yr (≈$46K USD)
💰 Pay spread — by industry / specialty
The mean is the headline; the spread is what matters.
120,000,000 KRW
Large architecture firm partner
Samoo / Chang-jo / Heerim etc.
🟢 Tier 1 — KOSIS Wage Structure Basic Statistics Survey 2023
80,000,000 KRW
Construction firm design team
Samsung C&T / Hyundai E&C
🟢 Tier 1 — KOSIS Wage Structure Basic Statistics Survey 2023
90,000,000 KRW
Firm principal
Variable income, design-driven
🟢 Tier 1 — KOSIS Wage Structure Basic Statistics Survey 2023
60,000,000 KRW
Civil servant (district / city office)
Review / permit work
🟢 Tier 1 — KOSIS Wage Structure Basic Statistics Survey 2023
🗺️ The path — stage by stage
- 1. Architecture program 5 yr — KAAB-accredited program
- 2. Practical training 3 yr — At firm
- 3. Architect Licensing Exam (— yr) — Stage 1 + Stage 2
- 4. Architect registration (— yr) — Obtain license
📝 Licensing exam
Architect Licensing Exam
5-yr degree + 3-yr practical training before exam.
🏛️ Top schools
| School | Location | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University Architecture | Gwanak-gu, Seoul | Engineering + design |
| Hanyang University Architecture | Seongdong-gu, Seoul | Traditional strength |
| Hongik University Architecture | Mapo-gu, Seoul | Design strength |
🟠 Tier 3 — context only
🩺 Apprenticeship / Residency
Practical training (3 yr)
3 yr at architecture firm to qualify for licensing exam.
💵 Specialties — same title, different number
| Specialty / Industry | Mean / yr | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large architecture firm partner | 120,000,000 KRW | Samoo / Chang-jo / Heerim etc. |
| Construction firm design team | 80,000,000 KRW | Samsung C&T / Hyundai E&C |
| Firm principal | 90,000,000 KRW | Variable income, design-driven |
| Civil servant (district / city office) | 60,000,000 KRW | Review / permit work |
🏢 Employer types — base vs total comp
Design firm
Project-based + base
Construction firm
Stability + large-corp benefits
Solo practice
Variable income, design-driven
📈 Income across years
Junior architect intern
40,000,000 KRW
0~3 yr
Architect licensure
60,000,000 KRW
3~5 yr
Senior — 10 yr
90,000,000 KRW
10 yr
Partner / Principal
130,000,000 KRW
15+ yr
📚 Go deeper
Four sub-pages — gift, vision, path, history.