The salary benchmark in Japan varies significantly by industry, role, experience level, and location. Salaries tend to be higher in metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka and in industries such as technology, finance, and consulting. Below is a general overview of salary benchmarks for 2024.
General Salary Structure
- Entry-Level (0–2 Years Experience)
- ¥3M–¥5M annually (approximately ¥250K–¥416K monthly).
- Typical for fresh graduates or junior professionals.
- Common in roles like administration, customer service, or junior engineers.
- Mid-Level (3–10 Years Experience)
- ¥5M–¥8M annually (¥416K–¥666K monthly).
- Professionals with specialized skills or supervisory roles.
- Senior-Level/Managerial Roles (10+ Years Experience)
- ¥8M–¥15M annually (¥666K–¥1.25M monthly).
- Roles include department heads, senior engineers, or directors.
- Executive Roles
- ¥15M–¥30M+ annually (¥1.25M–¥2.5M+ monthly).
- C-level positions (CEO, CFO, etc.), particularly in multinational corporations.
Industry-Wise Salary Benchmarks
- Technology and IT
- Software Engineer: ¥4M–¥8M (entry to mid-level), ¥9M–¥15M+ (senior).
- Data Scientist/AI Specialist: ¥6M–¥12M.
- IT Project Manager: ¥8M–¥15M.
- Finance and Banking
- Analyst: ¥4M–¥7M.
- Relationship Manager: ¥6M–¥10M.
- CFO/Finance Director: ¥12M–¥25M+.
- Healthcare
- Nurse: ¥3.5M–¥5M.
- Doctor: ¥10M–¥20M (depending on specialization).
- Pharmaceutical Researcher: ¥6M–¥12M.
- Manufacturing and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer: ¥4M–¥7M.
- Quality Control Specialist: ¥3.5M–¥6.5M.
- Plant Manager: ¥8M–¥15M.
- Retail and Hospitality
- Store Manager: ¥3.5M–¥6M.
- Hotel Manager: ¥5M–¥8M.
- Customer Service Staff: ¥2.5M–¥4M.
- Consulting and Professional Services
- Consultant: ¥6M–¥10M.
- Senior Consultant/Manager: ¥10M–¥20M.
- Partner/Director: ¥20M–¥40M+.
Geographical Salary Differences
- Tokyo: Salaries are typically 10–20% higher than the national average due to the high cost of living.
- Example: An IT engineer in Tokyo might earn ¥8M, while in Fukuoka, the same role might offer ¥6M.
- Osaka: Slightly lower than Tokyo but still competitive, especially in finance and manufacturing.
- Rural Areas: Salaries can be 20–30% lower than urban centers, with fewer job opportunities in high-paying industries.