Doda Report: Average Salary in Japan in 2023

What is the average salary in Japan for company employees and salaried workers?

We have the latest salary statistics in Japan from Doda, a jobs site, which pulled salary data from its 630,000 user base over 1 year, from September 2022 to August 2023.

Doda's profile data includes specifics such as industry, profession, job location, the work experience of the individual, and other factors that might influence the reported salary range.

Here's a quick summary of the findings:

• The average salary in 2023 was 4.14 million yen, an increase of 110,000 yen from the previous year.

• The highest average salary by occupation was that of physicians/doctors.

• Most of the top 20 income-earning occupations were in roles related to consulting firms, specialist offices, and audit companies.

• The top earning industry was that of investment trusts and investment advisories.

• Manufacturing, finance, and medicine roles dominated the top 10 earning industries.

• All age groups saw an average annual income increase of over 100,000 yen from the previous year.

• Out of 47 prefectures, 43 prefectures saw an increase in annual income.

Note: The figures reported in Doda's analysis reflect gross income earnings for full-time employees and not net income. In other words, this is the income before taxes and other social benefits are deducted.

The average salary in Japan in 2023

According to Doda's database of 630,000 business professionals in Japan, the average annual income in Japan for 2023 was 4.14 million yen.

Men earned 4.64 million yen on average in 2023, which is an increase of 150,000 yen from 2022. And women earned on average 3.56 million yen in 2023, an increase of 90,000 yen from the previous year.

This makes the average monthly salary in Japan is 345,000 yen a month.

The median salary in Japan in 2023

The median wage in Japan for 2023 was 3.6 million yen.

The median income for men was 4 million yen in 2023, with no change from numbers recorded in 2022. 

Women's median salary was 3.2 million yen, an increase of 170,000 yen compared to 2022.

Average annual income by age group in Japan in 2023

The average annual income in 2023 increased for each age group compared to wages reported in 2022. This increase held regardless of gender.

All genders

• 20 year olds: 3.52 million yen

• 30 year olds: 4.47 million yen

• 40 year olds: 5.11 million yen

• 50 year olds: 6.07 million yen

Men

• 20 year olds: 3.77 million yen

• 30 year olds: 4.94 million yen

• 40 year olds: 5.85 million yen

• 50 year olds: 6.74 million yen

Women

• 20 year olds: 3.29 million yen

• 30 year olds: 3.83 million yen

• 40 year olds: 4.1 million yen

• 50 year olds: 4.34 million yen

Average annual salary ranking by occupations in Japan in 2023

According to Doda's database, out of 174 occupations, the top earning wage was that of doctors/physicians at 10.28 million yen. 

This was followed by investment banking in second place with 9.47 million yen, and lawyers in third place with 8.25 million yen. Since the last ranking, physicians saw an increase of 100,000 yen, while investment banking saw a significant increase of 970,000 yen.

1. Physicians/doctors 10.28 million yen

2. Investment bankers 9.47 million yen

3. Lawyers 8.25 million yen

4. Investment fund managers/dealers 8.1 million yen

5. Analysts 7.95 million yen

6. Pharmacists/medicine related 7.32 million yen

7. Financial product development 7.19 million yen

8. Strategy/management consultants 7.17 million yen

9. Internal auditors 7.15 million yen

10. Business reform consultants 6.96 million yen

Average annual salary ranking by industry in Japan in 2023

Among the top-earning salaries in Japan, five of the top 12 positions were taken by people in financial-related industries and careers.

1. Finance: investment advisors

2. Manufacturer: Tobacco

3. Medical: Pharmaceutical manufacturer

4. Finance: Securities 

5. Services: Financial/accounting advisor

6. Medical: Medical device manufacturer

7. Manufacturer: Toiletries

8. Finance: Trust bank

9. Medical: Diagnostic/testing

10. Manufacturer: General electronics

Average annual income by location in Japan

Doda also analyzed the role job location plays in Japanese workers' average annual income. Below is a list of the average annual income by prefecture in Japan.

1. Tokyo: 4.55 million yen

2. Kanagawa: 4.35 million yen

3. Chiba: 4.22 million yen

4. Saitama: 4.15 million yen

5. Ibaraki: 4.12 million yen

6. Tochigi: 4.07 million yen

7. Aichi: 4.07 million yen

8. Shiga: 4.07 million yen

9. Hyogo: 4.04 million yen

10. Mie: 4.01 million yen

Frequently asked questions

What is the average salary in Japan per month?

According to Doda's 2023 analysis of salary data, the average monthly salary in Japan is 345,000 yen a month.

What is the average salary in Japan in USD?

The average monthly salary in Japan in USD is $2,371 (JPY 345,000).

What is the minimum wage in Japan per month?

The minimum wage differs based on which prefecture in Japan you are working. The minimum wage in Tokyo as of October 2023 is 1,113 yen per hour, so the minimum wage per month would be 178,080 yen (calculated based on a 40-hour-work week).

What is a good salary in Japan?

Based on salary analysis by Doda, a Japanese jobs site, a good salary in Japan would be between 6 and 10 million yen per year.