How much does a civil engineer make in Japan?
Answer: The average civil engineer in Japan makes $41,663 (¥6.25M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,786 × 12 + bonus $8,231. Average age 46; about 308,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Civil engineer pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $41,663 | $42,492 | $32,360 | 46 |
| Big company | $50,670 | $52,328 | $36,489 | 41.9 |
| Mid-size | $43,665 | $44,875 | $32,789 | 42.3 |
| Small company | $37,565 | $38,115 | $29,772 | 49.1 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, pay can differ as engineers gain experience, earn qualifications that let them lead larger projects, or take on more responsibility. It also depends on employer and company size, region, specialty, and overtime or night shifts, which vary by job and site.
What if you were…
In Japan, age and company size matter mostPick a company size, sex or age to see that group's average here.
How it changes with age
Tap an age to update the number above (Any company size, men and women combined)
How it changes with company size
What does a civil engineer do?
What's a typical day like?
They begin with a site huddle to review tasks and hazards, then walk the worksite, check measurements and progress, and coordinate with crews. Later they meet clients, write reports, and prepare for the next day.
How to get this job
Many in Japan study civil engineering and start after high school or college; a degree or license is not required. They learn on the job and gain experience before taking exams for civil construction-management qualifications.
Did you know?
Muko Bridge in Hyogo is a reinforced-concrete arch completed in 1926—and it is still in service today.
What about the US?
Same jobJapan's figure is the average and the US figure is the median. Prices and exchange rates matter too, so it's a rough comparison.
Similar jobs
Engineering and research jobsEarn more in the same field
Engineering and research jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 (regular workers, by occupation) (e-Stat). Yearly pay = monthly contractual cash earnings × 12 + annual bonus. Averages for regular workers at firms with 10+ employees. Public employees (teachers, police, firefighters) and company executives are not in this survey. e-stat.go.jp
Pages used for the text
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/23
- wakkanai-kenkyo.jp/news/2026-08-27.html
- www.jctc.jp/kentei/themes/tebiki_1d02_08.pdf
- www.kkr.mlit.go.jp/rd_mainte/column/blng420000000a7f-att/R4_03.pdf
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY