The average salary in Japan is ¥4.78 million per year. But is this true for everyone? How do bonuses and other factors impact salaries in Japan?

Are you thinking about starting a new career in Japan? Understanding the country’s job market (and finding a better job) demands insight into industry trends. But your most important question is probably, what is the average salary in Japan?

Using the latest available data from Japan’s National Tax Agency (国税庁), the average salary in Japan is approximately ¥4.78 million per year, based on the 2024 survey (released in 2025). However, salaries vary widely by industry, age and employment type, and the most recent official data often lags by a year or more. The median is estimated to be between ¥3.8 million and ¥4.0 million.

But how do salaries differ across various sectors? Do factors like age or gender influence earnings? Let’s dive into the specifics, from English teaching to IT and finance.

• Average Annual Salary in Japan
• Average Salary By Industry
• Average Median Salary in Japan
• Average Salary By Age and Gender in Japan
• Why Are There Gender Pay Gaps in Japan?
• What Is The Average Salary For Foreign Workers in Japan?
• How Bonuses Affect Salary in Japan
• What Is The Minimum Wage in Japan?
• What’s The Average English Teacher’s Salary in Japan?
• Salary Trends in Japan For 2026

Average Annual Salary in Japan

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2019/06/iStock-Yusuke-Ide-Average-Salary-in-Japan-2024.jpg)Is your salary lower or higher than the national average?

According to the National Tax Agency’s latest data (民間給与実態統計調査, 令和6年分), full-time workers in Japan earn an average annual salary of approximately ¥4.78 million. This translates to a monthly salary of around ¥320,000 before taxes, including bonuses. However, this figure can be skewed by higher earners, particularly in large corporations.

If that feels too low for you, that’s probably because it is. You should absolutely evaluate your skills and not let anyone lowball you.

Keep in mind that workers in major cities like Tokyo typically earn more than those in rural areas, reflecting the higher cost of living in urban centers. Salaries also depend heavily on industry and role, with fields like tech, finance and engineering offering some of the highest paychecks.

Average Salary By Industry

Let’s examine how salaries differ across industries in Japan, based on the latest available data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省).

According to the 2024 Basic Survey on Wage Structure (賃金構造基本統計調査), average monthly wages vary across industries. The highest-paying sectors include utilities (such as electricity, gas and energy providers) and finance (including banking and insurance), while hospitality and service-related roles remain among the lowest—perhaps why those sectors are increasingly reliant on foreign workers.

In fact, demand has grown so quickly that visa quotas for food service roles are already being reached.

IndustryAverage Monthly SalaryElectricity, Gas, Heat Supply & Water¥437,500Finance & Insurance¥410,600Information & Communications¥391,000Academic / Education¥376,200Construction¥352,600Transportation / Postal¥343,600Manufacturing¥318,600Medical / Welfare¥306,900Wholesale / Retail¥304,700Service¥285,800Hospitality / Food Service¥269,500

Note: These figures reflect base monthly salaries (excluding bonuses), which can add several months’ worth of pay annually depending on the industry and company.

Average Median Salary in Japan

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2019/06/iStock-metamorworks-work-Average-salary-in-Japan.jpg)The median annual salary is likely more accurate.

The average salary—currently around ¥4.78 million, according to National Tax Agency data—can be skewed upward by higher earners. In reality, many workers earn less than this figure, particularly those in part-time or non-regular roles.

Job sites often use averages, but these can be misleading due to outliers—often to trick or entice potential job seekers. The median figure is a more realistic benchmark for what a typical worker in Japan earns, particularly when planning your career or negotiating your salary.

While Japan does not publish a single official median annual salary, estimates based on government wage data suggest it is closer to ¥3.5 million. For example, an analysis by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), using Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare wage data combined with average bonuses, places the median at approximately ¥3.51 million.

Note: Many websites report that the median salary in Japan is ¥472,000. I have no idea where this figure is coming from, but it is simply too high for the vast majority of people living in Japan.

Average Salary By Age and Gender in Japan

AgeOverallMaleFemale20–24¥224.6k¥229.3k¥219.6k30–34¥286.0k¥302.1k¥259.6k40–44¥338.8k¥371.8k¥276.8k50–54¥371.1k¥417.7k¥285.9k55–59¥376.4k¥427.4k¥281.7k

Many Japanese companies have traditionally followed a seniority-based pay system, where salaries increase with age and tenure rather than purely performance. As employees gain experience and remain with the same company, their pay and bonuses tend to rise steadily, which is why earnings typically peak in the 50s.

However, more companies—particularly in IT, finance and foreign-affiliated firms—are moving toward performance-based pay, though seniority still plays a significant role in many industries.

You’ll also notice that salaries drop after around age 60. This is largely due to Japan’s re-employment system, where workers retire at the mandatory retirement age and are then rehired on shorter contracts, often at reduced pay. While pensions supplement income, total earnings during this stage are typically lower than peak career levels.

Why Are There Gender Pay Gaps in Japan?

You’ll also notice gender gaps. Women in Japan often face challenges such as occupational segregation, limited career advancement opportunities and traditional gender roles that prioritize family responsibilities over career advancement. 

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan’s gender wage gap stood at 22.1% as of 2022, ranking it fourth lowest among 38 OECD countries.

Likewise, Japan’s work culture has traditionally stressed long working hours and dedication to the job, particularly for men. This can result in higher salaries for male employees willing to commit significant time and effort to their careers. Thus, women may face challenges balancing work and family responsibilities, impacting their earning potential.

What Is The Average Salary For Foreign Workers in Japan?

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/iStock-Yue_-average-salary-for-foreigners-in-Japan.jpeg)The news isn’t good.

Foreign workers in Japan earn less on average than the overall workforce, largely due to differences in visa status, industry and years of experience. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average monthly salary for foreign workers was approximately ¥274,900 in 2024, with an additional ¥229,900 per year in bonuses.

This brings the estimated average annual income to around ¥3.5–3.6 million.

However, salaries vary significantly depending on visa category and job type:

• Highly Skilled Professionals (高度専門職): ~¥556,600/month

• Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services: ~¥311,200/month

• Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能): ~¥250,300/month

• Technical Intern Trainees (技能実習): ~¥210,000/month

• Foreign Residents with Permanent or Long-Term Status: ~¥305,200/month

Foreign workers are also heavily concentrated in industries such as manufacturing, hospitality and service work, which tend to offer lower wages overall.

How Bonuses Affect Salary in Japan

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2019/06/iStock-tommy-pay-salary-bonus.jpg)Bonuses are not guaranteed.

In Japan, companies often pay bonuses twice a year—typically in summer and winter—sometimes referred to as “13th and 14th month” pay. However, these bonuses are not guaranteed and can vary significantly depending on company performance, individual evaluations and industry conditions.

More recent government data shows that foreign workers in Japan receive an average of around ¥229,900 per year in bonuses and other additional pay, though this varies widely depending on visa type and job role.

What Is The Minimum Wage in Japan?

PrefectureMinimum Wage (¥/hour)Tokyo1,226Kanagawa1,225Osaka1,177Saitama1,141Chiba1,140Aichi1,140Kyoto1,122Hyogo1,116Shizuoka1,097Hiroshima1,085Shiga1,080Hokkaido1,075Ibaraki1,074Tochigi1,068Gifu1,065Gunma1,063Toyama1,062Nagano1,061Fukuoka1,057Ishikawa1,054Fukui1,053Yamanashi1,052Nara1,051Niigata1,050Okayama1,047Tokushima1,046Wakayama1,045Yamaguchi1,043Miyagi1,038Kagawa1,036Oita1,035Kumamoto1,034Fukushima1,033Shimane1,033Ehime1,033Yamagata1,032Iwate1,031Akita1,031Nagasaki1,031Tottori1,030Saga1,030Aomori1,029Kagoshima1,026Okinawa1,023Kochi1,023Miyazaki1,023

In Japan, the minimum wage is set by each prefecture and revised annually by the Central Minimum Wage Council. As of fiscal year 2025, minimum wages range from around ¥1,023 to ¥1,226 per hour, depending on the region. The national weighted average is ¥1,121 per hour, reflecting continued increases in recent years.

The Minimum Wage Council—composed of representatives from the public, labor and employers—reviews wage levels each year and recommends adjustments based on economic conditions.

There are two types of minimum wages in Japan:

• Regional minimum wages, which apply to all workers in each prefecture

• Industry-specific minimum wages, which apply to certain sectors such as manufacturing

Most workers are covered by the regional minimum wage, which serves as the legal baseline for hourly pay across Japan.

What’s The Average English Teacher’s Salary in Japan?

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2019/06/iStock-west-English-Teacher-Average-Salary-in-Japan.jpg)On the bright side, there’s ample downtime for learning Japanese.

The average salary for English conversation teachers in Japan remains relatively low compared to the national average, though it varies depending on experience, employer and location.

Recent job posting data shows that English conversation instructors earn an average annual salary of around ¥3.7 million, with a typical monthly salary of approximately ¥310,000.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what that actually looks like across roles:

• Eikaiwa instructor (full-time): ~¥3.7 million/year (¥310,000/month)

• Starting salary: ~¥240,000/month

• Part-time: ~¥1,300–¥1,600/hour

• Dispatch/temporary: ~¥1,500/hour

• JET Programme ALT: ~¥4.0–¥4.3 million/year (higher, increases annually)

• Privately dispatched ALT: ~¥2.4–¥3.2 million/year

One important difference from many other industries in Japan is that bonuses are often limited or nonexistent for English teaching roles. While some contracts offer a completion bonus, it is typically modest—often equivalent to about one month’s salary, if offered at all.

If you’re working in an eikaiwa or as an ALT and wondering why your salary falls below the national average, you’re not alone. English teaching roles are generally positioned as entry-level or flexible work, which keeps wages lower than fields like IT, finance or engineering.

That said, salaries can increase with experience and specialization. Higher-paying paths include working at private schools, international schools or universities, where salaries are more stable and often include bonuses, or moving into freelance or corporate training roles, where income is significantly higher.

Salary Trends in Japan For 2026

[

](http://cdn.gaijinpot.com/app/uploads/sites/4/2019/06/iStock-RRice1981-salaryman-average-salary-in-Japan-yen.jpg)Get that money, Kenji.

Wages in Japan are finally showing signs of movement. In 2026, major companies agreed to average pay raises of around 5% during the annual shunto negotiations (annual wage negotiations between enterprise unions), the strongest increases in decades. Minor wages have been rising at around 3% year-on-year, with base pay seeing its fastest growth in over 30 years.

That sounds great, but for much of 2025, inflation outpaced pay increases, leaving many workers effectively losing purchasing power. In other words, salaries are going up on paper, but it’s only recently that people are starting to feel it in their daily lives.

The gap between companies is also widening. Large corporations are leading wage hikes, while small- and mid-sized businesses—which employ roughly 70% of Japan’s workforce—are struggling to keep up. Rising labor costs and ongoing worker shortages are putting pressure on smaller firms, making broad-based wage growth harder to sustain across the economy.

Tokyo and other major cities offer the highest salaries, especially in tech, finance and international-facing roles. But those gains often come with a higher cost of living. Outside the big cities, salaries tend to be lower, but so is rent—and with remote and hybrid work becoming more common, some workers are finding a better balance by looking beyond the usual urban hubs.

What do you think of salaries in Japan? Too low? What needs to improve? Let us know in the comments!