Salaries in Japan vary depending on the industry. While the national average salary is around ¥4.6 million per year, some industries pay slightly more while others pay less.
This guide explains the average salary in Japan by industry, based on recent employment data and salary surveys.
Average Salary in Japan by Industry
Below is an overview of estimated average salaries by industry in Japan.
| Industry | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance | ¥5.0M |
| Manufacturing | ¥4.9M |
| Trading Companies | ¥4.8M |
| IT / Telecommunications | ¥4.6M |
| Construction / Real Estate | ¥4.4M |
| Specialized Trading | ¥4.4M |
| Media / Advertising | ¥4.4M |
| Medical / Healthcare | ¥4.1M |
| Service Industry | ¥3.9M |
| Retail / Food Service | ¥3.7M |
These numbers represent average salaries across many companies and experience levels.
Highest Paying Industries in Japan
The highest paying industries in Japan tend to include:
Finance
Average salary:
around ¥5.0M per year
Jobs in banking, securities, and asset management tend to pay slightly above the national average.
Manufacturing
Average salary:
around ¥4.9M per year
Large manufacturing companies in automotive and electronics often offer stable salaries and strong benefits.
IT and Telecommunications
Average salary:
around ¥4.6M per year
Software engineers, developers, and IT specialists can earn more depending on experience and company size.
Lower Paying Industries
Some industries tend to have lower average salaries.
Service Industry
Average salary:
around ¥3.9M per year
This includes hospitality, tourism, and customer service roles.
Retail and Food Service
Average salary:
around ¥3.7M per year
Entry-level and part-time positions are common in this sector, which lowers the overall average salary.
Average Salary in Japan Overall
The average salary across all industries in Japan is estimated to be around:
¥4.6M per year
More details:
Average Salary in Japan (2026 Guide)
Salary Differences by Age
Income usually increases with experience.
| Age Group | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 20s | ¥3.0M – ¥3.8M |
| 30s | ¥4.5M – ¥5.5M |
| 40s | ¥5.5M – ¥6.5M |
| 50s | ¥6.0M – ¥7.0M |
See detailed guide:
Average Salary in Japan by Age
Salary Differences by City
Location can also influence salary levels.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥5.0M – ¥6.2M |
| Osaka | ¥4.6M – ¥5.5M |
| Fukuoka | ¥4.0M – ¥4.8M |
More details:
Average Salary in Tokyo (2026)
Average Salary in Osaka (2026)
Summary
Average salaries in Japan vary depending on the industry, but most workers earn between:
¥3.7M and ¥5.0M per year
Industries such as finance, manufacturing, and IT typically pay above the national average, while service and retail sectors tend to pay less.