Jobs in Korean – Complete List of Occupations and Titles

In this lesson, we’re going to cover the different jobs in Korean. In other words, you will get a list of jobs or different occupations in Korean.

This can be very useful when you’re learning the Korean language. For example, when you befriend Koreans or fellow students in your Korean language class, you will likely be asked what your job or dream job is. It’s one of the most common questions you’ll hear when talking with Koreans, so you’ll want to be prepared to answer.

Below is a comprehensive list of some of the most common job titles in Korean. Let’s get to work!

Job Titles in Korean

The list below shows how to say common job titles in Korean. We’ve arranged them in alphabetical order for you. You can also click the audio icon to listen to how they’re pronounced.

Medical-related Jobs in Korean

If you’re working in the medical industry, the section below is for you. You’ll learn the Korean words for a few of the common jobs in the medical field.

“Doctor” in Korean

The word “doctor” in Korean is 의사 (uisa).

For example:

속이 안 좋아서 저는 내일 의사와 상담할 거예요. (sogi an joaseo jeoneun naeil uisawa sangdamhal geoyeyo.)

I feel sick, so I will consult a doctor tomorrow.

A doctor can either work in a hospital which is 병원 (byeongwon) in Korean, or a clinic which is 진료소 (jillyoso) in Korean.

“Nurse” in Korean

The word “nurse” in Korean is 간호사 (ganhosa).

For example:

간호사가 되는 것은 매우 보람 있는 일이에요. (ganhosaga doeneun geoseun maeu boram inneun irieyo.)

Being a nurse is very rewarding.

Hospitals and clinics won’t be complete without 간호사 (ganhosa).

“Dentist” in Korean

“Dentist” in Korean is 치과 의사 (chigwa uisa).

For example:

치과 의사에게 가보는 게 좋겠어요. (chigwa uisaege gaboneun ge jokesseoyo.)

You’d better see a dentist.

If you need some dental services, you’ll look for a 치과 의사 (chigwa uisa).

Another related word to “dentist” in Korean is 치과 (chigwa).  This word 치과 (chigwa) means dental clinic.

“Pharmacist” in Korean

The word “pharmacist” in Korean is 약사 (yaksa). And the medicine that we get from pharmacists is called 약 (yak).

For example:

약사가 처방전대로 약을 조제해 주었다. (yaksaga cheobangjeondaero yageul jojehae jueotda.)

The pharmacist prepared the medicine as prescribed.

A pharmacist works in a 약국 (yakguk).

For example:

약국에 들러야 한다고 그러셨지요? (yakguge deulleoya handago geureosyeotjiyo?)

Did you say you need to stop at the pharmacy?

University/School Jobs in Korean

Below are some of the common job titles for those who work in education in South Korea. If you’re a student, this is how you can address your teacher.

“Teacher” in Korean

“Teacher” in Korean is 선생 (seonsaeng) who teaches students, which translates to 학생 (haksaeng). A teacher who works in a school is called 학교 (hakgyo) in Korean.

“Professor” in Korean

The word “professor” in Korean is 교수 (gyosu). A professor works in a 대학교 (daehakgyo), which means university.

“School Principal” in Korean

Schools will be chaotic without a school principal. They hold high responsibilities in making sure everything is working well inside the school. A “school principal” in Korean is 학교장 (hakgyojang).

Art-related Jobs in Korean

What we see on TV has a huge production team behind it. Some of the jobs included in this team are listed below.

“Actor” in Korean

For many K-Drama and K-movie fans, you’d want to know the Korean word for actor and words related to it.

“Actor” in Korean is 배우 (baeu), while an actress in Korean is called 여배우 (yeobaeu). An actor and an actress can be seen working in movies, dramas, or plays, which are called 영화 (yeonghwa), 드라마 (deurama), and 연극 (yeongeuk) in Korean.

“Director” in Korean

There are a few ways to say “director” in Korean. It depends on which field of work or industry you’ll use it in.

The word director in Korean who directs Korean movies and dramas is 감독 (gamdok).

For example:

봉준호 감독님은 많은 상을 받았어요. (bongjoonho gamdongnimeun maneun sangeul badasseoyo)

Director Bong Joon-ho has received many awards.

If you’re referring to an executive director in a company, you’ll use 임원 (imwon).

For example:

그는 대기업의 임원이에요.  (geuneun daegieopeui imwonieyo)

He’s an executive director at a big company.

When you talk about an art director, you can say 미술 감독 (misul gamdok) or 아트 디렉터 (ateu direkteo).

For example:

제 친구는 이 영화의 미술 감독을 맡고 있다. (je chinguneun i yeonghwaui misul gamdogeul matgo itda)

My friend is the art director of this movie.

And you can use 단체장 (danchejang) when talking about a director-general.

“Writer” in Korean

The Korean word for a writer is 작가 (jakga). This is also the Korean word used for author. The word 각본가 (gakbonga) is the Korean for a scriptwriter.

Sample sentence:

제 직업은 작가예요. (je jigeobeun jakgayeyo.)

My job is as a writer.

“Photographer” in Korean

사진 (sajin) is the Korean for photos or pictures. The person who takes photos or pictures is a photographer. The job of a photographer in Korean is called 사진작가 (sajinjakga).

Law Enforcement Jobs in Korean

Peace and security in a city are essential and achievable with the help of our law enforcers. Know their Korean terms below.

“Police” in Korean

The words 경찰 (gyeongchal) and 경찰관 (gyeongchalgwan) are used to describe the job of a police officer. They report to their work in a police station, which is 경찰서(gyeongchalseo) in Korean.

“Judge” in Korean

The word judge in Korean is 판사 (pansa). We usually see them work in a courthouse or courtroom, which are 법정 (beopjeong) and 법원 (beopwon) in Korean, respectively.

However, the word 심판하다 (simpanhada) is used when you’re referring to the act of judging.

“Lawyer” in Korean

A lawyer in Korean is called 변호사 (byeonhosa). This is the same word used for “attorney.”

If you watch K-Dramas, you might be familiar with this term, too!

Office Jobs in Korean

The majority of the people work in an office setup. Take a look at the list below if you also see your job in Korean.

“Office Worker” in Korean

An office is generally called 사무실 (samusil), but it can also be called 근무처 (geunmucheo). A person who works in an office or an office worker is 사무원 (samuwon) in Korean.

“Company Worker” in Korean

The word company is called 회사 (hoesa) in Korean. A person working in a company or a company worker is 회사원 (hoesawon) Korean.

“Accountant” in Korean

There are 2 words you can use for an accountant in Korean. They are is 회계원 (hoegyewon) or 회계사 (hoegyesa).

However, the Korean word 회계사 (hoegyesa) is used when referring to the profession of being a certified accountant.

Sample Sentences:

저는 회계사예요. (jeoneun hoegyesayeyo.)

I am an accountant.

승호 씨는 자격을 갖춘 회계사예요. (seungho ssineun jagyeogeul gatchun hoegyesayeyo.)

Seungho is a qualified accountant.

회계원 (hoegyewon), on the other hand, can be used when referring to both an accountant, a treasurer, or a cashier.

Sample Sentence:

회계원이 돈을 세고 있어요. (hoegyewoni doneul sego isseoyo.)

The accountant/cashier is counting the money.

“Manager” in Korean

There are a number of ways to say “manager” in Korean. It depends on what field they’re working on.

The word manager in Korean can be expressed as 경영자 (gyeongyeongja) or 관리자 (gwallija) when it’s used for a managerial position in a company department.

For example:

민규 씨는 은행의 관리자예요.  (mingyu ssineun eunhaengeui gwallijayeyo)

Mingyu is the manager of the bank. 

It can also be expressed as 매니저 (maenijeo). However, this word is usually used for people handling or managing artists or celebrities such as actors, singers etc.

The word 감독 (gamdok) is also used for the word manager in Korean. This word is used for people in charge of a team, particularly a sports team.

For example:

아침에 새로운 감독이 그 팀에 소개되었어요. (achime saeroeun gamdogi geu time sogaedoieosseoyo)

A new manager was introduced to the team in the morning.

“Secretary” in Korean

The word “secretary” in Korean is 비서 (biseo).

How to Say “Job” in Korean

As with many other Korean words, there are multiple ways to say “job” in Korean.

1. 일 (il)

This can be used to explain the specific job or task that you do or are doing, as well as your job position in general.

2. 일자리 (iljari)

This word only means “job” in the sense of a job position. It is a combination of the words 일 (il) and 자리 (jari), which can mean seat, space, and position. It’s very popular to use when discussing if there are available jobs in the job market, and the like.

Sample Sentence:

아직 일자리를 찾았어요? (ajik iljarireul chajasseoyo?)

Did you find a job yet?

3. 직장 (jikjang)

This word typically refers to a “job in a company” or “office job” specifically. Thus, when talking with your Korean acquaintances, you may hear this particular word being used a lot if you ask them what their job is.

Sample Sentence:

얼마전에 새 직장으로 옮겼어요. (majeone sae jikjangeuro olgyeosseoyo.)

I transferred to a new job some time ago.

4.  취직 (chwijik)

The usage of this one is specifically limited to the moments where you talk about being in the process of finding a job or having just recently found one.

Sample Sentence:

요즘 취직준비중이야. (yojeum chwijikjunbijungiya.)

These days, I’m preparing to get a job.

5. 직업 (jigeop)

This is another alternative to saying “job” in Korean. You would use this specifically when describing what your occupation is.

Sample Sentence:

직업은 뭐예요? (jigeobeun mwoyeyo?)

What is your job?/What is your occupation?

6. 작업 (jageob)

This Korean word typically refers to a specific job being done and is more often used in arts, architecture, and other similar professions rather than for office jobs.

How to Say “Office” in Korean

The word “office” can be expressed in a number of ways in Korean. You can say 직장 (jikjang) when you’re talking about your workplace.

For example:

제 직장에는 재미있는 사람들이 많아요. (je jikjangeneun jaemiinneun saramdeuri manayo)

There are a lot of fun people at my workplace.

제 직장에는 예쁜 꽃들이 있어요. (je jikjangeneun yeppeun kkotdeuri isseoyo)

There are pretty flowers in my workplace.

You can use the word 사무실 (samusil) when talking about your office room.

For example:

우리 사무실에 다섯 명 있어요. (uri samusire daseot myeong isseoyo)

There are 5 people in our office.

오늘 사무실에 혼자 있어요. (oneul samusire honja isseoyo)

I’m alone in the office today.

The Korean word 사옥 (saok) can also be used when you’re referring to your office building.

For example:

우리 사옥은 고층 건물이에요. (uri saogeun gocheung geonmurieyo)

Our office building is a high-rise building.

“Library” in Korean

There are a few different ways to say “library” in Korean. You can say 도서관 (doseogwan) for “library” in Korean. This can be used when talking about a school library, city library, and other public libraries.

For example:

서울 도서관은 커요. (seoul doseogwaneun keoyo)

Seoul Metropolitan Library is big.

You can also use the word 서재 (seojae) for “library” in Korean. This is usually used for a library in a mansion or a big house.

For example:

소연은 부잣집 출신이예요. 집에 서재가 있어요. (soyeoneun bujatjip chulsiniyeyo. jibe seojaega isseoyo)

Soyeon comes from a rich family. She has a library at home.

Another word in Korean for “library” is 장서. This is when referring to a collection of books.

For example:

우리 학교 도서관은 수천 권의 장서를 보유하고 있어요. (uri hakgyo doseogwaneun sucheon gwonui jangseoreul boyuhago isseoyo)

Our school library has thousands of books.

“Career” in Korean

The word “career” in Korean is expressed as 경력 (gyeongreok).

For example:

이세영은 5세의 나이에 연기 경력을 시작했다. (iseyeongeun 5seui naie yeongi gyeongnyeogeul sijakaetda.)

Lee Seyoung started her acting career at the age of five.

When talking about a career woman in Korean, you can say it as 직장 여성 (jikjang yeoseong).

For example:

요즘에 직장 여성들이 많아요. (yojeume jikjang yeoseongdeuri manayo.)

There are many career women these days. 

However, if you want to say “career break” in Korean, you can express it as 직장 생활의 공백기 ( jikjang saenghwarui gongbaekgi).

For example:

제가 아는 직장 생활의 공백기를 가진 사람들이 많지 않아요. (jega aneun jikjang saenghwarui gongbaekgireul gajin saramdeuri manchi anayo.)

There aren’t many people I know who have a break from work.

“Professional” in Korean

There are a number of ways to say “professional” in Korean. It depends on the context or on what you’re describing.

You can use 전문직 종사자 (jeonmunjik jongsaja) if you’re using the professional to describe a worker.

For example:

대부분 전문직 종사자들이 이해합니다. (daebubun jeonmunjik jongsajadeuri ihaehamnida.)

Most professionals understand.

You’ll use the word ​​프로 (peuro) if you’re using it to describe athletes or players.

For example:

​​손흥민은 프로 축구 선수예요. (sonheungmineun peuro chukgu seonsuyeyo)

Son Heung-min is a professional soccer player.

However, you’ll use 전문가 (jeonmunga) if you’re going to use it for people who are experts on something.

For example:

원우는 컴퓨터 전문가예요. (wonuneun keompyuteo jeonmungayeyo.)

Wonwoo is a computer expert.

“Profession” in Korean

The word “profession” in Korean is 전문직 (jeonmunjik). This is used when you’re referring to jobs that are specialized, for example doctors, lawyers, engineers, and others.

For example:

은우는 고소득 전문직에 종사하고 있어요. (eununeun gosodeuk jeonmunjige jongsahago isseoyo.)

Eun-Woo is working in a high-income profession.

However, if you’re referring to a vocation, you’ll use the word 천직 (cheonjik).

For example:

저는 천직을 아직도 못 찾았어요. (jeoneun cheonjigeul ajikdo mot chajasseoyo.)

I still haven’t found my vocation.

“Work” in Korean

The word “work” in Korean is expressed in a number of ways depending on whether you’ll use it as a noun or verb.

You’ll use the words 일 (il), 직장 (jikjang), or 직업 (jigeop) if you use “work” as a noun.

For example:

요즘 회사에서 일이 많아요. (yojeum hoesaeseo iri manayo.)

I have a lot of work at work these days.

직장을 그만두고 싶어요. (jikjangeul geumandugo sipeoyo.)

I want to quit my job.

However, you’ll use the words 일하다 (ilhada) and 작업하다 (jigeopada) when the word is used as a verb.

For example:

저는 열심히 일해요. (jeoneun yeolsimhi ilhaeyo.)

I work hard.

남자가 컴퓨터로 작업하고 있어요. (namjaga keompyuteoro jageopago isseoyo.)

The man is working on the computer.

Here’s a separate article that also teaches how to say “work” in Korean:

• https://www.90daykorean.com/work-in-korean/

Korean Jobs

If you’re interested in Korean jobs, here is some information about work in Korea.

Note: We can’t assist you with finding jobs in South Korea. We specialize in learning Korean, and the posts below are to provide information and point you in the right direction.

How to Find Jobs in Korea

If you want to get a Korean job, these may be useful places to help start your search:

• https://www.90daykorean.com/work-in-korea-for-foreigners/
• https://www.90daykorean.com/recruiters-in-korea/

Korean Work Culture

If you enter a company in Korea, you may notice it is different than in your home country. There is a special language that company employees use to address each other. Here are some resources about that language and Korean work life:

• https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-honorifics/
• https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-work-culture/

For more information on how to introduce yourself and things about yourself in Korean, please refer to our article How to introduce yourself in Korean.

Wrap Up

We hope you enjoyed this lesson and learned a lot of Korean words and Korean phrases. For a complete guide on how to learn Korean, check out our resource here: https://www.90daykorean.com/learn-korean/