When looking for work in Japan, many people probably place importance on the level of pay. Japan is widely accepting foreign workers due to a shortage of people, but there are many people who are wondering “how much is the average annual income for foreigners?”, “which type of work will get me a high salary?” and so on.

In this article, we will introduce jobs in Japan that pay well. We will also explain what you need to do to get a job that pays well, so please use this as a reference when looking for work in Japan. If you are looking for a job in Japan that pays well, we recommend “G Talent”, a recruitment agency that brings together global companies in the IT industry.

What is the average salary for foreign workers in Japan?

According to “The 2020 Basic Survey on Wage Structure” released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average wage for foreign workers was 218.1 thousand yen. The average wage for both men and women in Japan is 307.7 thousand yen, so some people may feel that this is low. The average wage for Japanese people varies depending on age, occupation and gender, so it is not possible to say that the average salary for foreign workers is low, but it is thought that the reason for the low wages is related to the length of time they have been working.

In Japan, seniority is important, and the longer you work, the more chances you have to get a pay rise. It can be predicted that this unique Japanese system has an impact on the average wage for foreign workers.

Compared to developing countries, salaries in Japan are higher

Although Japan has been in a prolonged recession, the salary level is higher than in developing countries such as Southeast Asia and South America. For example, looking at the average monthly basic salary of workers in Japanese manufacturing companies in 2019, Indonesia was $348, while the Philippines and Vietnam were both at a low level of $236. Of course, salaries vary depending on the type of work and the location, but it can be said that the benefits of working in Japan are great, as you can earn a higher salary than in your home country.

Reference: アジアの労務コスト比較、意外に大きい賃金水準の地域差／JETRO

What types of work have high salaries in Japan?

Before looking for work in Japan, let's find out about the types of work that have high salaries. We will explain in detail about the work content, how to find a job, and the average annual salary.

• System Engineer/Programmer
• Consultants
• Marketers
• Analysts
• Interpreters/Translators
• Teachers

System Engineers/Programmers

System engineers are responsible for system development, while programmers use programming languages to perform their duties. They are also known as IT engineers, and this is a job type that is in increasing demand in Japan, where the need for IT skills is growing.

To become a systems engineer, you need presentation skills and knowledge of IT in general, while to become a programmer, you need knowledge and skills of programming languages.

Average annual salary: 6.5 to 7.5 million yen

Reference: 【英語を活かせる仕事35種】選び方やレベル、想定年収まで徹底解説／神田外語学院

Consultant

You will support the performance improvement and growth of client companies by making strategic proposals and providing implementation support. Although no special qualifications or licenses are required, this is a job that requires a high level of English ability due to the increasing number of Japanese companies aiming to expand globally.

The demand for consulting jobs is increasing year by year, and there are also an increasing number of jobs that welcome people with no experience. It is common to work for a consulting company and improve your skills, but there are also people who work as freelancers.

Average annual salary: 5 to10 million yen

Reference: コンサルタントの仕事／キャリアガーデン

Marketer

The job of a marketer is to understand market needs and come up with ideas for how to sell products. The work of a marketer is not simply about selling things, but also involves being responsible for the process from product development to getting the product into the hands of the customer.

There are no special qualifications required to become a marketer, but you will need to use business schools and/or study on your own to gain the skills and knowledge required to become a marketer.

Average annual salary: Around 5 million yen

Reference: マーケターとは？どんな仕事内容？年収やなり方、必要スキルも紹介／ITプロマガジン

Analyst

Analysts are financial specialists who work for securities companies, banks, investment advisory firms, etc., and they research and analyze a wide range of data on topics such as earnings, business conditions, the domestic and international economy, and political situations, in order to evaluate stock prices and predict future economic trends.

It seems that there is an increasing number of cases where financial institutions, etc., are recommending that people obtain securities analyst qualifications.

Average annual salary: Around 7 million yen

Reference: アナリストの仕事の年収・時給・給料／求人ボックス給料ナビ

Interpreting/Translation

Interpreting is the work of acting as an intermediary between people who use different languages and translating between the languages of the two countries. Translation is the work of translating foreign language sentences and papers etc. into the language of the country in which they are used. In order to work as an interpreter or translator, there are two options: registering with an interpreting agency or temporary staffing agency, or working as a freelance interpreter or translator.

No qualifications or licenses are required, but a high level of English ability is necessary.

Average annual salary: 4 to 8 million yen

Reference: 気になる通訳の年収・給料情報／elan

Teacher

This is a job where you teach English at Japanese schools or companies. In recent years, Japan has become more globalized, and with English education at elementary schools now compulsory, the demand for English teachers is increasing.

In order to work as an English teacher, you need to have the “Education” visa status, and to become an English teacher at junior high school or high school, you need to obtain a “teacher's license”. If you are an English teacher at an elementary school or a private school, you do not need a license, but the recruitment requirements differ depending on the place of work, such as requiring English ability of at least 700 points on the TOEIC.

Average annual salary: Around 3.5 million yen

Reference: 需要増加中！外国人英語教師の給料や多様な働き方を詳しく解説[グローバル2]／Fellowship

Foreigners looking for work in Japan! How do you get a job with a high salary?

In order to get a job in Japan with a high salary, you need to keep the following points in mind.

• Acquire a residence status in the “specialist/technical field”
• Get a full-time job
• Acquire IT skills
• Improve language skills
• Learn Japanese business etiquette
• Aim to acquire qualifications
• Change jobs to a company that values you

We will now explain in detail the key points for finding a job with a high salary.

Acquire a residence status in the “specialist/technical field”

The “status of residence” referred to as a work visa is a qualification that allows foreigners to engage in certain activities while residing in Japan. Please see the table below for the main status of residence that applies to “specialized and technical fields”.

Status of Residence	Examples of Work
Engineer	Engineers in fields such as mechanical engineering, SE, etc.
Specialist in Humanities	Office work such as planning, sales, accounting, etc.
International Services	Language teachers at English conversation schools, interpreters/translators, designers
Intra-company Transfer	Employees transferred from a foreign office with the same status of residence as the two above
Technician	Foreign chefs, foreign architects, gem processing, pilots, sports instructors
Professor	University professors
Investment/Management	Managers and administrators of foreign-affiliated companies
Legal/Accounting Services	Lawyers, accountants
Medical	Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, radiology technicians
Research	Researchers at government-related organizations, companies, etc.
Education	Language teachers at high schools, junior high schools, etc.

There are some status of residence that allow you to work, and others that do not, so obtaining a status of residence in a “specialized or technical field” means that you have been granted permission to stay in Japan for the purpose of working. Choose a status of residence that suits your work.

Reference: 我が国で就労する外国人のカテゴリー／厚生労働省

Get a full-time job

There are also routes to getting a job as a part-time or temporary worker, but if you want to earn a high salary, aim to get a full-time job. Looking at the wages by employment type, the average for full-time, permanent employees is 324.2 thousand yen, and for non-full-time, permanent employees, it is 214.8 thousand yen. In Japan, the practice of long-term employment still remains, so there are many advantages to being employed as a full-time worker in order to continue working in a stable manner.

Reference: 【比較】正社員とフリーターの手取りの差はどのくらい？違いを知って自分らしい働き方を学ぼう／マイナビバイトTIMES

Acquire IT skills

By acquiring IT skills such as computer operation and programming, you will be more likely to find employment and to find work that pays well. For example, system engineers and programmers are in high demand in Japan and can earn relatively high salaries.

In order to join a company with better conditions, you should aim to acquire IT-related qualifications and improve your skills.

Reference: 年収1000万を超えるITエンジニアの共通点！高年収のITエンジニアランキングなども紹介／HiPro Tech

Improve language skills

In order to find a job in Japan that pays well, you will need to improve your Japanese language skills as well as your English, in order to communicate effectively with your colleagues and business partners. Some Japanese companies allow internal communication to be conducted in English, but not all companies are global.

There are different levels of certification in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, such as N1 and N2, but if you have N1, which corresponds to the “business level”, you will be able to work at many companies.

Reference: N1・N2は必須？外国人が日本で就職する際に必要な日本語力とは[グローバル1]／Fellowship

Learn Japanese business etiquette

An essential part of working at a Japanese company is acquiring Japanese business etiquette. There are unique Japanese manners that are unfamiliar to foreigners, such as how to carry out work and how to exchange business cards. By learning about the characteristics and customs of the Japanese, you will be able to communicate smoothly in interviews and other situations, and after joining a company, you will be able to behave in a way that is not rude to clients.

Reference: 日本のビジネスマナーや守るべきポイントとは？／JSJのコラム

Aim to acquire qualifications

There are jobs that you can get without any special qualifications or skills, but if you want to get a job with a higher salary, it's probably best to aim to get a qualification. For example, there are cases where system engineers and programmers are hired even if they have no experience, but by getting a national qualification such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Information Processing Engineer Examination or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, you may be able to broaden the range of companies you can apply to.

There are also advantages to being able to carry out your work more easily after being hired, so you should acquire qualifications that match the type of work you want to do.

Reference: MOSとは／MOS取得のメリット／Microsoft

Change jobs to a company that values you

Changing jobs to a company that will appreciate your abilities and skills is also an essential point for getting a job with a high salary. For example, if you are looking for a company that is looking for global talent, there is a higher chance that they will offer you a high salary. Take a good look at your own skills and think carefully about which industry you could thrive in.

How can foreigners find jobs in Japan that pay well?

The following are some recommended ways for foreigners to find jobs in Japan that pay well.

• Employment Service Center for Foreigners
• Universities or vocational schools
• Personal connections and SNS
• Job sites for foreigners
• Job-changing agencies for foreigners

Please find the company you are looking for using the method that suits you best.

Employment Service Center for Foreigners

Hello Work has Employment Service Centers for Foreigners, which provide job introductions to foreigners who wish to work in Japan. Some of these facilities have interpreters who speak English, Chinese, etc., so we recommend that you visit one of these centers for advice.

Reference: 外国人雇用サービスセンター／一般社団法人外国人食品産業技能評価機構

University or Vocational School

If you are attending a university or vocational school, it is also important to check the job postings on the notice boards on campus. There is a possibility of finding jobs that are not posted on job sites, such as those directly posted by companies to universities.

Reference: すぐ活用したい新卒採用法！大学に求人票を掲載する方法と応募増の3つのコツ／トルー

Personal connections and SNS

There are also ways to expand your network and gather information about business, or to find jobs in the type of occupation you want through social networking services. It is also known that many foreign residents in Japan use social networking services to look for work, so there is a good chance you will be able to find a job in a high-paying occupation.

Reference: 仕事探しに使うメディア第1位はFacebook！在留外国人の仕事探しにおけるリアルな声を調査／訪日ラボ

Job sites for foreigners

By using job sites for foreigners and saving jobs that interest you as favorites, you can find high-paying jobs more efficiently. On the IT human resources-focused global environment job site “GitTap”, you can find “global environment jobs” that will make your wish to “work using English” or “work with multinational members!” come true.

First, register as a new user, and if you see a job that interests you, click the 'Apply' or 'I'd like to hear more' button. The person in charge of recruitment will explain the details of the job in a casual and polite manner. If you fill out your profile, you can also receive job offers from companies.

Job-changing agencies for foreigners

We also recommend using a job-placement agency for foreigners to help you find a job. At foreign IT engineer job-placement agency “G Talent”, IT specialists provide support for finding employment and changing jobs in Japan. They introduce companies that match your preferences from among the projects of notable venture companies and global companies, and handle a large number of IT job offers from companies where you can work in a fair environment regardless of nationality.

Let's find out about jobs with high salaries and build up a career in Japan!

There are many jobs in Japanese companies that pay well, as we have introduced here. In order to find a company with even slightly better conditions, let's work on improving our own skills and building up our careers in Japan.

If you are looking for a job in Japan that pays well, we recommend the foreigner-oriented job change agent "G Talent". It has supported the recruitment of over 200 companies and the job changes of engineers from over 70 nationalities. Let's start with a free registration.