How much does a foundry worker make in Japan?
Answer: The average foundry worker in Japan makes $33,833 (¥5.07M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,326 × 12 + bonus $5,921. Average age 43.4; about 61,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Foundry worker pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $33,833 | $34,325 | $25,941 | 43.4 |
| Big company | $43,505 | $43,897 | $35,439 | 40.1 |
| Mid-size | $33,987 | $34,450 | $25,734 | 43.4 |
| Small company | $27,992 | $28,417 | $22,743 | 45.1 |
Why does pay differ?
Pay in Japan can differ with experience and skill certificates, and between large manufacturers and smaller specialist shops. The region, the exact process, and shift or hot-work allowances can also affect pay.
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 foundry worker do?
What's a typical day like?
After checking the metal, mold, and machine, a worker pours molten metal into a mold or presses heated metal into shape. They trim extra metal and check each part’s size and quality while wearing protective gear.
How to get this job
In Japan, many start after high school, usually around age 18; no special degree or license is required. They learn through helper tasks and on-the-job practice, then can take a national Casting or Forging Skills Test.
Did you know?
Japanese sword-making is a forging craft: its technique became an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage in 1955, and repeated folding helps make strong, layered steel.
What about the US?
Nearly the 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
Manufacturing and construction jobsEarn more in the same field
Manufacturing and construction 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/251
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/252
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
- www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/jinzaikaihatsu/ability_ski
- www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R4-00043.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY