Salary Intelligence
Salaries in Japan by profession
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?
Key facts
- National median: ~$28,096 gross ~$21,912 after tax (2023 data, 78% kept).
- Highest-paying role: CTO / Technology Director ~$100,973/yr net for a mid-level cto / technology director.
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$24,416 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2023)
$28,096 gross · $21,912 after tax · $24,416 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in Japan
By take-home, the highest pay in Japan is estimated for a 🏢 cto / technology director — $100,973 net after tax (6.3× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $176,037 | $100,973 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $142,653 | $86,565 |
| AI Engineer | $140,601 | $85,564 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $130,397 | $80,597 |
| Engineering Manager | $127,876 | $79,328 |
| Software Engineer | $104,967 | $66,536 |
| Data Engineer | $103,664 | $65,828 |
| Cloud Engineer | $99,403 | $63,643 |
| Product Manager | $99,335 | $63,609 |
| DevOps Engineer | $99,105 | $63,489 |
| Dentist | $93,687 | $60,710 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $91,927 | $59,807 |
| Management Consultant | $87,046 | $57,303 |
| Data Scientist | $85,833 | $56,680 |
| Pharmacist | $74,399 | $50,813 |
| Sales Manager | $69,335 | $47,920 |
| Remote Freelancer | $67,870 | $47,018 |
| General Manager | $67,066 | $46,524 |
| UX Designer | $64,897 | $45,189 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $64,494 | $44,942 |
| Marketing Manager | $63,032 | $44,042 |
| Project Manager | $63,032 | $44,042 |
| Civil Engineer | $61,722 | $43,236 |
| Business Analyst | $57,679 | $40,695 |
| Finance Analyst | $57,168 | $40,365 |
| Operations Manager | $56,870 | $40,173 |
| Content Writer | $53,187 | $37,794 |
| HR Manager | $51,976 | $37,042 |
| Physiotherapist | $49,846 | $35,602 |
| University Lecturer | $49,386 | $35,292 |
| Accountant | $41,165 | $30,825 |
| Graphic Designer | $41,876 | $30,775 |
| Hospitality Manager | $37,906 | $28,793 |
| Nurse | $34,792 | $26,639 |
| Chef | $33,290 | $25,582 |
| Teacher | $32,521 | $25,036 |
| Electrician | $31,398 | $24,244 |
| Plumber | $31,377 | $24,229 |
“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
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. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. 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.
Where the money goes: CTO / Technology Director in Japan
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$176,037
- Income tax−$75,064
- Net (after tax)$100,973
- Local prices+$11,539
- Real value$112,512
Keep rate 57% · net $100,973 · real value $112,512 (your money goes further here)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $176,037 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$75,064 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 57%. |
| Net (after tax) | $100,973 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| + Local prices (PPP) | +$11,539 | Cheaper than the US — your net buys more. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $112,512 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
Thinking about moving to Japan?
Japan salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in Japan?▾
The national median is about $28,096 gross (~$21,912 after tax) for 2023. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $70,681 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in Japan?▾
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.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in Japan?▾
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.
How reliable are these Japan salary figures?▾
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.