North Korea. — Average Salary & Wages

North Korea does not have a statutory minimum wage. North Korea does not operate a conventional wage system in the market economy sense. State workers receive salaries through the Public Distribution System (PDS), which historically provided food, housing, and goods rather than cash wages. Since the 1990s famine, the PDS collapsed in many areas and a parallel market (jangmadang) economy has emerged. State salaries for most workers — where paid — are reported at nominal levels of a few thousand KPW per month at official rates, which are nearly worthless. Real income for many North Koreans comes from unofficial market activities. Special Economic Zones (Kaesong Industrial Complex — suspended since 2016, Rason, etc.) have had specific wage arrangements for foreign investment, paid to the state rather than directly to workers. No verifiable minimum wage data in the conventional sense exists.

The average gross monthly salary in North Korea is ₩100,000 (approximately $111.11 USD). Estimated average state worker salary after North Korea's October 2023 wage reform (Cabinet Decision No. 23101-9), which raised wages roughly tenfold for the first time since 2002. Post-reform, new workers earn ~30,000 KPW/month, mid-level managers 80,000–120,000 KPW, and senior officials 180,000–220,000 KPW. At the unofficial market rate of ~900 KPW/USD, 100,000 KPW equates to roughly USD 111/month. Official exchange rates are far lower and not meaningful. The KPW is not freely convertible. Most North Koreans supplement state wages through informal market (jangmadang) activities. Provincial factories report frequent payment delays or partial wages. Staple food prices have risen ~1.5x since the reform, eroding gains. No official DPRK statistics are published; all figures are derived from defector testimony, intelligence analysis, and specialist research organizations. Source: 38 North / Daily NK / Asia Press / Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) (2025).

The standard work week in North Korea is 48 hours. The North Korean Labour Law formally sets an 8-hour working day. In practice, many workers are required to spend additional hours in compulsory political study, military training, and 'volunteer' labour campaigns. The actual workweek for state employees varies widely by sector and location. No independent verification of labour conditions is possible.

The average gross monthly salary in North Korea is approximately $111.11 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.