Research Scientist: Costa Rica vs South Korea
Side-by-side salary comparison · Estimated based on OECD & BLS data
🇰🇷 South Korea pays 154% more
Costa Rica
CRC
Estimated Salary (USD)
$21,887
per year
Local Currency (CRC)
₡11,381,240
per year
PPP Adjusted
$120,711
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
4,009
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Bottom 14%
South Korea
KRW
Estimated Salary (USD)
$55,654
per year
Local Currency (KRW)
₩73,463,280
per year
PPP Adjusted
$118,035
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
11,312
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Top 45%
Visual Comparison
Salary (USD)
PPP Adjusted (USD)
Big Mac Power (burgers/year)
Key Takeaways
- ●
Research Scientists in South Korea earn 154% more than in Costa Rica (nominal USD).
- ●
After adjusting for purchasing power (PPP), both countries offer similar real value.
- ●
Using the Big Mac Index, a Research Scientist's salary buys 2.8x more Big Macs in South Korea.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays Research Scientists more: Costa Rica or South Korea?▾
South Korea pays Research Scientists an estimated $55,654 USD per year, which is 154% more than Costa Rica's estimated $21,887 USD.
What is the PPP-adjusted salary for a Research Scientist in Costa Rica vs South Korea?▾
The PPP-adjusted salary is $120,711 USD in Costa Rica and $118,035 USD in South Korea. PPP adjustment accounts for cost of living differences between the two countries.
How does the purchasing power compare for Research Scientists?▾
Using the Big Mac Index, a Research Scientist in Costa Rica can buy about 4,009 Big Macs per year, while in South Korea it's about 11,312 Big Macs.
Estimated based on OECD & BLS data. Actual salaries vary by experience, company, and region. Data is for informational purposes only.
Sources: BLS OEWS · OECD · World Bank · Big Mac Index