Osaka is Japan’s second largest economic hub and one of the most popular cities for foreigners and professionals working in Japan.
Compared with Tokyo, Osaka offers lower living costs while still maintaining competitive salaries.
In this guide, we explain the average salary in Osaka in 2026, including monthly income, take-home pay after tax, and how salaries compare with living costs.
Average Salary in Osaka (2026)
The average annual salary in Osaka in 2026 is estimated to be:
¥4.6 million – ¥5.4 million per year
This is slightly lower than Tokyo but still above many regional cities in Japan.
Typical salary ranges:
| Category | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Annual salary | ¥4,600,000 – ¥5,400,000 |
| Monthly salary | ¥380,000 – ¥450,000 |
| After-tax monthly income | ¥290,000 – ¥350,000 |
Actual salaries depend on industry, experience, and company size.
Average Monthly Salary in Osaka
Most full-time employees receive a fixed monthly salary.
Typical monthly salary levels in Osaka:
| Job Level | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level | ¥220,000 – ¥280,000 |
| Mid-career | ¥320,000 – ¥450,000 |
| Senior / management | ¥500,000 – ¥800,000 |
Foreign professionals working in technology, finance, or international companies may earn higher salaries.
Average Salary in Osaka After Tax
Japan has several deductions that reduce take-home pay.
These include:
- Income tax
- Resident tax
- Pension contributions
- Health insurance
After deductions, employees usually receive 70–80% of their gross salary.
Example:
| Gross Salary | Take-Home Pay |
|---|---|
| ¥300,000 | ~¥230,000 |
| ¥400,000 | ~¥300,000 |
| ¥500,000 | ~¥370,000 |
For national salary averages see:
Detailed take-home pay explanation:
Cost of Living vs Salary in Osaka
One reason many people choose Osaka is that living costs are lower than Tokyo.
Typical monthly expenses for a single person:
| Expense | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | ¥60,000 – ¥90,000 |
| Food | ¥35,000 – ¥50,000 |
| Transportation | ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 |
| Utilities | ¥10,000 – ¥15,000 |
Total monthly living costs:
¥120,000 – ¥180,000
Full Osaka cost guide:
Osaka vs Tokyo Salary
Tokyo generally offers the highest salaries in Japan.
However, Osaka’s lower living costs often balance the difference.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥5.2M – ¥6.2M |
| Osaka | ¥4.6M – ¥5.4M |
Tokyo salary guide:
Tokyo cost of living:
Minimum Wage in Osaka
Minimum wage is set by prefecture.
As of 2026:
Osaka minimum wage: about ¥1,064 per hour
Tokyo minimum wage comparison:
Japan minimum wage overview:
Is Osaka a Good Place to Work in Japan?
Osaka is often considered one of the best cities for work-life balance in Japan.
Advantages include:
- Lower rent than Tokyo
- Large job market
- Strong economy and tourism industry
- Friendly local culture
Because of these factors, many professionals and expats choose Osaka over Tokyo.
Summary
Key facts about average salary in Osaka (2026):
- Average annual salary: ¥4.6M – ¥5.4M
- Average monthly salary: ¥380K – ¥450K
- After-tax monthly income: ¥290K – ¥350K
- Living costs are significantly lower than Tokyo
For many workers, Osaka provides a strong balance between salary and affordability.