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Salary Intelligence
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in Japan — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2023 data).
What is a good salary in Japan?
In Japan, the national median salary is about $29,221 gross (~$23,316 after tax, 2023 data). Estimated pay for a mid-level professional ranges from ~$25,778 to ~$125,279 net depending on the role — highest for a cto / technology director. Figures are modelled estimates anchored to Japan's national median wage; not a job offer.
Key facts
National median (2023)
$29,221 gross · $23,316 after tax · $25,980 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $178,297 | $125,279 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $143,810 | $102,173 |
| AI Engineer | $141,474 | $100,608 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $133,961 | $95,570 |
| Engineering Manager | $129,302 | $91,983 |
| Software Engineer | $105,973 | $74,623 |
| Data Engineer | $104,820 | $73,908 |
| Product Manager | $100,790 | $71,409 |
| Cloud Engineer | $100,511 | $71,236 |
| DevOps Engineer | $100,211 | $71,050 |
| Dentist | $96,418 | $68,699 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $93,107 | $66,620 |
| Management Consultant | $88,225 | $63,446 |
| Data Scientist | $86,790 | $62,513 |
| Pharmacist | $76,567 | $55,869 |
| Sales Manager | $70,790 | $52,113 |
| General Manager | $68,350 | $50,527 |
| Remote Freelancer | $68,126 | $50,382 |
| UX Designer | $65,974 | $48,983 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $65,848 | $48,901 |
| Marketing Manager | $64,355 | $47,931 |
| Project Manager | $64,355 | $47,931 |
| Civil Engineer | $63,076 | $47,100 |
| Business Analyst | $58,836 | $44,344 |
| Operations Manager | $58,234 | $43,952 |
| Finance Analyst | $58,164 | $43,906 |
| Content Writer | $53,869 | $41,115 |
| HR Manager | $53,336 | $40,769 |
| Physiotherapist | $51,462 | $39,551 |
| University Lecturer | $50,624 | $39,005 |
| Graphic Designer | $42,571 | $33,328 |
| Accountant | $42,197 | $33,047 |
| Hospitality Manager | $38,988 | $30,641 |
| Nurse | $35,873 | $28,305 |
| Chef | $34,281 | $27,111 |
| Teacher | $33,668 | $26,651 |
| Plumber | $32,508 | $25,781 |
| Electrician | $32,505 | $25,778 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ Japan's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise.
Japan salary estimates · Source: Japan national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026 (today)
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Turn salary, tax and cost of living into a relocation decision built around your real numbers.
The national median is about $29,221 gross (~$23,316 after tax) for 2023. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $87,695 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in Japan is estimated for cto / technology director, senior software engineer, ai engineer. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using Japan's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.