[Sejong = E-Daily Reporter Ha Sang-yeul ] The average monthly wage gap between regular and non-regular workers has approached 2 million won, setting a new record high since relevant statistics were first compiled in 2003. While the monthly salary for regular workers surpassed 4 million won for the first time ever, wage increases for non-regular workers remained modest, widening the wage gap.

◇Regular Employees’ Monthly Wages Surpass 4 Million Won

According to the “Results of the Supplementary Survey by Employment Type from the August 2026 Economic Activity Population Survey” released by the National Data Agency on the 21st, the average monthly wage for regular employees from June to August of this year was 4,052,000 won, an increase of 156,000 won (4.0%) compared to the same period last year (3,896,000 won).

In contrast, the average monthly wage for non-regular workers during the same period was 2,112,000 won, rising by only 24,000 won (1.1%) from a year earlier (2,088,000 won).

Consequently, the gap between the average monthly wages of regular and non-regular workers was recorded at 1.94 million won. This marks a new record, widening by 132,000 won from the previous record high (1.808 million won) set just one year ago. The wage gap between regular and non-regular workers has set a new record high for nine consecutive years since 2017.

Even when compared to the average monthly wage of full-time non-regular workers (3,098,000 won)—excluding part-time workers with short working hours—the gap with regular workers still amounted to 954,000 won.

The widening wage gap is linked to the sharp increase in part-time workers with short working hours. The number of non-regular workers has also swelled to an all-time high. As of last August, there were 8,671,000 non-regular workers, an increase of 103,000 compared to the same month last year. Non-regular workers accounted for 38.5% of all wage earners (22,526,000), up 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier, marking the highest level in both absolute numbers and proportion since statistics began in 2003.

During the same period, the number of regular workers rose by only 10,000 to 13,855,000. Non-regular workers accounted for 91.2% of the total increase in wage earners (113,000), meaning that virtually all of the new jobs created were non-regular positions.

By employment type, the number of temporary workers (6,035,000) increased by 187,000, while the number of part-time and other flexible-hour workers surged by 152,000 to 4,382,000. In particular, the proportion of part-time workers among non-regular workers reached 50.5%, up 1.1 percentage points from a year ago, surpassing the 50% mark and setting a new all-time high.

Kim Rak-hyun, head of the Employment Statistics Division at the National Data Agency, explained, “This is largely due to the rise in part-time workers within the non-regular workforce, who tend to have relatively short working hours and lower wage levels.” He added, “It is also influenced by the increase in workers aged 60 and older, as well as a significant rise in non-regular workers in the health and welfare sector, which accounts for the largest share by industry.”

◇Clear Concentration in Jobs for the Elderly and Care Workers

In fact, a closer look at the detailed indicators reveals that non-regular employment was concentrated primarily in jobs for the elderly, women, and the care sector.

Looking at the demographic characteristics of non-regular workers, while the number increased for both men and women, the proportion of women among non-regular workers (57.2%) exceeded half. By gender, the number of men increased by 57,000 and the number of women by 46,000 compared to a year ago. By age group, those aged 60 and older led the growth trend, surging by 135,000 over the past year to reach 3.18 million, accounting for 36.7% of all non-regular workers; those in their 30s (39,000) and 50s (11,000) also saw increases.

In contrast, those in their 40s (down 20,000) and young people aged 29 and under (down 64,000) showed a downward trend due to the combined effects of natural population decline and sluggish employment.

By industry, the number of non-regular workers increased notably in the health and social welfare sector (112,000), while the lodging and food services sector also saw a rise of 43,000. In contrast, the information and communications sector decreased by 24,000 and the public administration sector by 22,000, highlighting disparities across industries.

Non-regular workers who voluntarily chose this employment status accounted for 68.0% of the total, a 0.2 percentage point increase from a year earlier. The main reasons cited for this voluntary choice were “satisfaction with working conditions” (59.9%) and “job stability” (21.7%). The average tenure at the current workplace for non-regular workers was 3 years, an increase of 1 month, and the average weekly working hours also rose by 1.3 hours to 29.5 hours.

Meanwhile, according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) standards, the proportion of temporary workers in South Korea was recorded at 28.2%. This figure is significantly higher than that of major countries such as Canada (11.8%), Germany (11.5%), Japan (14.2%), and the United Kingdom (5.1%). The OECD defines temporary workers as those among non-regular workers who are not classified as repeatedly renewed workers, part-time workers, agency workers, workers in special employment arrangements, or domestic workers.