AsiaGovernment / OECD · OECD2024 data

Average Salary in Japan

Salaries suppressed vs GDP; strong yen recovery lifting real wages.

$44,200/yr

Gross annual avg · all occupations · OECD

48% vs US avg of $85K
Average Wage
$44K
all occupations
Take-Home
$23K
~49% effective rate
Work Week
40h
typical hours
Vacation Days
10d
statutory minimum

Top Job Salaries in Japan

Median annual salaries for popular roles · Tokyo

Job TitleCategoryMedian Salaryvs Avg
Lawyer / AttorneyLegal$119,958+171%Details →
Marketing ManagerMarketing$89,967+104%Details →
Product ManagerTechnology$65,854+49%Details →
Financial AnalystFinance$58,231+32%Details →
Data ScientistTechnology$56,605+28%Details →
Software EngineerTechnology$53,034+20%Details →
Civil EngineerEngineering$49,839+13%Details →
AccountantFinance$49,702+12%Details →
Registered NurseHealthcare$45,894+4%Details →

Salary by City in Japan

Compare top metros

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary in Japan?

The average salary in Japan is approximately $44K USD per year (2024 data, source: OECD). This is the gross annual wage across all occupations.

How does Japan's average salary compare to the US?

The average salary in Japan is 48% lower than the US average of $85K/yr. However, cost of living in Japan is generally lower, so purchasing power may be comparable.

What are the highest-paying jobs in Japan?

The top-paying roles in Japan include: Lawyer / Attorney ($120K/yr), Marketing Manager ($90K/yr), Product Manager ($66K/yr).