The minimum wage applicable in 2026 has been finalized at 10,320 won per hour. Under this standard, which is 290 won higher than last year, the daily wage based on eight hours of work per day is 82,560 won, and the monthly wage — converted based on 40 hours of work per week plus eight hours of paid weekly holidays — is 2,156,880 won. As a result, attention is turning to the 'minimum wage simulation calculator,' which allows workers to check their working hours and wage levels on their own.

■ The Simulation Calculator Consists of Six Fields

The minimum wage simulation calculator is composed of six fields: working hours, base pay, bonuses and similar items, welfare benefits, other allowances, and whether the worker is a probationary employee. Workers can enter their agreed working hours and wage conditions in each field to check the results.

The key criterion for the calculation is 'statutory working hours.' Statutory working hours refer to the working hours mutually agreed upon between the worker and the employer, and they must be determined within the limits prescribed by law.

• Article 50 of the Labor Standards Act: General workers may work no more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
• Article 69 of the Labor Standards Act: Workers aged 15 or older but under 18 may work no more than 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week.
• Article 139 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act: Workers engaged in hazardous or dangerous work may not exceed 6 hours per day and 34 hours per week.

■ Daily and Monthly Wages Have Different Calculation Standards — Note the Eligible Recipients

When using the simulation calculator, users should check not only base pay but also bonuses, welfare benefits, and other allowances, while probationary status is provided as a separate input field.

In particular, when selecting a daily wage as the wage type, users should pay attention to who is eligible. In the simulation calculator, the daily wage applies only to pure daily workers who are not entitled to weekly holiday allowances.

The 2026 minimum wage is divided into an hourly wage of 10,320 won, a daily wage of 82,560 won, and a monthly wage of 2,156,880 won. The daily wage is calculated based on eight hours per day, while the monthly wage is calculated based on 40 hours per week plus eight hours of paid weekly holidays, so their calculation conditions differ. Therefore, it is important for workers using the calculator to enter their statutory working hours, wage items, and probationary status separately, and to check whether the daily or monthly wage field matches their working conditions.

[The results produced by the minimum wage simulation calculator may vary depending on the working hours and wage conditions entered. This article was written with the assistance of AI to help readers understand the minimum wage standards and calculation fields.]