Learn Korean words for jobs and professions that you often hear in everyday life or see around Korea!
From teachers and doctors to office workers and tour guides,
this bilingual Korean-English vocabulary list helps you describe what people do for a living in Korean.
💼 Common Jobs (일상적인 직업)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 선생님 | Teacher |
| 학생 | Student |
| 회사원 | Office worker |
| 의사 | Doctor |
| 간호사 | Nurse |
| 경찰관 | Police officer |
| 소방관 | Firefighter |
| 운전기사 | Driver |
| 판매원 | Salesperson |
| 요리사 | Chef |
| 웨이터 / 웨이트리스 | Waiter / Waitress |
| 농부 | Farmer |
| 군인 | Soldier |
| 가수 | Singer |
| 배우 | Actor / Actress |
| 운동선수 | Athlete |
| 미용사 | Hairdresser |
| 사진작가 | Photographer |
| 화가 | Painter / Artist |
| 디자이너 | Designer |
💡 Tip:
In Korea, job titles often end with “-사 (-sa)” for professionals — like 의사 (doctor), 변호사 (lawyer), or 기사 (engineer).
🧑💻 Office and Professional Jobs (전문직 & 사무직)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 변호사 | Lawyer |
| 회계사 | Accountant |
| 엔지니어 | Engineer |
| 프로그래머 | Programmer |
| 웹디자이너 | Web designer |
| 번역가 | Translator |
| 통역사 | Interpreter |
| 기자 | Journalist |
| 연구원 | Researcher |
| 관리자 | Manager |
| 비서 | Secretary |
| 인사 담당자 | HR staff |
| 마케터 | Marketer |
| 은행원 | Banker |
| 공무원 | Government officer |
💡 Tip:
Many Korean companies use English-based job titles such as manager, team leader, or marketer, especially in office settings.
🧳 Service & Tourism Jobs (서비스 & 관광 관련 직업)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 가이드 | Tour guide |
| 승무원 | Flight attendant |
| 호텔 직원 | Hotel staff |
| 여행사 직원 | Travel agent |
| 바리스타 | Barista |
| 편의점 직원 | Convenience store clerk |
| 운전기사 | Driver |
| 경비원 | Security guard |
| 택시기사 | Taxi driver |
| 청소부 | Cleaner |
💡 Tip:
Service jobs are very common part-time opportunities (아르바이트, part-time jobs) for international students in Korea.
👩🎨 Creative & Media Jobs (창작 & 미디어 관련 직업)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 작가 | Writer |
| 기자 | Reporter |
| 감독 | Director |
| PD (피디) | Producer |
| 편집자 | Editor |
| 유튜버 | YouTuber |
| 인플루언서 | Influencer |
| 음악가 | Musician |
| 디자이너 | Designer |
| 모델 | Model |
💡 Tip:
The Korean entertainment industry is huge — many young people dream of becoming 가수 (singers) or 유튜버 (YouTubers).
🧰 Skilled & Technical Jobs (기술직)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 기술자 | Technician |
| 전기기사 | Electrician |
| 목수 | Carpenter |
| 미장공 | Plasterer |
| 용접공 | Welder |
| 배관공 | Plumber |
| 기계공 | Mechanic |
| 운전기사 | Driver |
| 건설 노동자 | Construction worker |
💡 Tip:
Korea’s construction and factory industries hire many skilled workers, including international employees from Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
⚙️ Useful Expressions (직업 관련 표현)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 직업 | Job / Occupation |
| 회사 | Company |
| 일하다 | To work |
| 실업자 | Unemployed person |
| 직장을 구하다 | To find a job |
| 퇴근하다 | To finish work |
| 근무하다 | To be employed / work at |
| 직장 동료 | Colleague |
| 월급 | Salary |
| 회의 | Meeting |
💡 Example Sentences:
-
저는 회사원이에요. → I’m an office worker.
-
어떤 일을 하세요? → What do you do (for a living)?
-
저는 관광 가이드예요. → I’m a tour guide.
🌿 Summary
Whether you’re studying, working, or traveling in Korea, knowing how to talk about jobs and occupations helps you connect with people.
Learn these Korean job titles and phrases to describe your career naturally in Korean!
