Last Updated on December 13, 2024
Are you, too, dreaming of a career change in the land of the rising sun? Software Engineering might be the way for you. Before delving into the insights of the course, let’s talk money. What salary can you expect as a software engineer in Japan in 2024? This article will give you a clear picture by discussing average figures, experience boosters, and top-paying companies.
How Much Does a Software Engineer Earn in Japan?
The average compensation for a software engineer in Japan is approximately 6,168,400 JPY annually. This can vary greatly, with the lowest average salary being approximately 3,335,920 JPY and the highest average wage being 9,322,750 JPY.
A detailed breakdown is mentioned below:
| Average Annual Salary | 6,168,300 JPY |
| Average Monthly Salary | 514,025 JPY |
| Lowest Annual Salary | 3,335,900 JPY |
| Lowest Monthly Salary | 277,991 JPY |
| Highest Annual Salary | 9,322,700 JPY |
| Highest Monthly Salary | 776,891 JPY |
Software Engineer Salary in Japan Based on Experience
The level of experience greatly affects the salary a Software Engineer receives. Below is the average range of a software engineer’s salary.
| Experience in years | Average Salary in Yen |
| 0-2 Years | 2,000,000 JPY- 3,000,000 JPY |
| 2-5 Years | 2,000,000 JPY- 4,000,000 JPY |
| 5-10 Years | 2,000,000 JPY- 6,000,000 JPY |
| 10-15 Years | 2,000,000 JPY- 7,000,000 JPY |
| 15-20 Years | 2,000,000 JPY- 8,000,000 JPY |
Software Engineer Salary in Japan Based on Different OrganizationsÂ
The salary scale of a Software Engineer in Japan is determined by the type of organisation in which he is employed. Below is the salary range of different organisations in Japan.
| Organisation | Average Salary (per year) |
| Rakuten | 61,00,000 JPY |
| Yahoo Japan | 61,00,000 JPY |
| Mercari | 94,20,000 JPY |
| 1,36,42,90 JPY | |
| LINE | 74,00,000 JPY |
| Indeed | 1,31,12, 020 JPY |
| PayPay | 77,10,000 JPY |
| SmartNews | 1,22,16,381 JPY |
| Sony | 81,00,000 JPY |
| DeNA | 67,40,000 JPY |
| Mercari | 1,03,66,89 JPY |
| Human Resocia | 32,50,000 JPY |
| SoftBank | 61,00,000 JPY |
| CyberAgent | 57,50,000 JPY |
| Human Resocia | 34,92,660 JPY |
Software Engineer Salary in Japan Based on Different Cities
A company’s pay scale is also greatly affected by the city in which it is located.
Below is a list of top cities with good pay scales for Software Engineers in Japan.
| Rank | Cities | Salary Range (JPY) |
| 1 | Tokyo | JPY 6,500,000 – 9,000,000 |
| 2 | Yokohama | JPY 5,800,000 – 8,200,000 |
| 3 | Osaka | JPY 5,500,000 – 7,800,000 |
| 4 | Nagoya | JPY 5,300,000 – 7,500,000 |
| 5 | Fukuoka | JPY 5,000,000 – 7,200,000 |
| 6 | Sapporo | JPY 4,800,000 – 7,000,000 |
| 7 | Kyoto | JPY 4,700,000 – 6,800,000 |
| 8 | Kobe | JPY 4,600,000 – 6,700,000 |
| 9 | Kawasaki | JPY 4,500,000 – 6,500,000 |
| 10 | Saitama | JPY 4,400,000 – 6,300,000 |
Software Engineer Salary in Japan Based on Education Level
Below is a table mentioning the education level and the average salary one can expect as a Software Engineer in Japan. This can also help you analyse your education level to attain your desired salary.
| Level of Education | Average Salary (per year) |
| Certification and Diploma | 4,882,500 JPY |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6,443,500 JPY |
| Master’s Degree | 8,846,500 JPY |
Highest Paying Software Engineer Jobs in JapanÂ
The salary ranges for different software engineering roles and industries vary. In the table below, we have mentioned the salary range with job titles in Japan.
| Positions | Average Salary (per year) |
| Android Developer | 5,676,600 JPY |
| Applications Engineer | 5,423,200 JPY |
| Blockchain Developer | 5,483,650 JPY |
| Business Process Analyst | 6,733,950 JPY |
| C++ Developer | 6,875,150 JPY |
| CMS Developer | 5,003,850 JPY |
| Computer Engineer | 4,966,250 JPY |
| Database Analyst | 6,875,150 JPY |
| Front End Developer | 5,172,850 JPY |
| Computer Technician | 4,846,350 JPY |
FAQs
What is the demand for software engineers in 2024?
The job outlook for software engineers is very positive for 2024 and beyond. Demand for these professionals will increase due to a rising need for mobile app developers and the growing use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) technologies across different areas. Software engineering careers remain highly sought-after in all fields, continuing their fast growth rate.
What is the average income of a software engineer in Japan?
A junior developer who has worked for 1-2 years can earn from 5M-7M JPY per year, and a senior developer with more than six years of experience might earn between 8M to 15M JPY annually.
Is 11 million yen a good salary in Japan?
Indeed, an income of 11 million yen per year would place you significantly above the national average in Japan for all age groups and genders.
How does Japan’s average software engineer salary compare globally?
The average salary in Japan is usually less than that of people in Switzerland or the United States, but it’s higher than in several Asian countries. Every year, a person can earn between JPY 4-8 million; this varies according to experience and place.
What factors affect a software engineer’s salary in Japan?
Essential elements comprise experience, place (more in big cities), company size, skills (for example, AI or blockchain), ability to speak Japanese, education level, and industry sector. Sometimes, more prominent companies or industries that are very much needed can provide higher pay rates.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
