How much does a auto mechanic make in Japan?
Answer: The average auto mechanic in Japan makes $33,587 (¥5.04M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,263 × 12 + bonus $6,427. Average age 40.6; about 210,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Auto mechanic pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $33,587 | $33,684 | $28,142 | 40.6 |
| Big company | $36,983 | $37,085 | $32,272 | 37.6 |
| Mid-size | $33,229 | $33,343 | $27,242 | 40.1 |
| Small company | $30,627 | $30,723 | $22,681 | 44.4 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, experience and higher licenses can bring higher pay because they let mechanics handle more work. Pay can also differ by employer type or size, region, specialty, and whether a person works full-time, part-time, or different shifts.
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 auto mechanic do?
What's a typical day like?
They begin with a team huddle and a list of booked cars, then listen to drivers, lift vehicles, and check parts or computer fault codes. After repairs and safety checks, they explain what they found, record the work, and prepare cars for pickup.
How to get this job
In Japan, many start after high school (about 18), study at an approved mechanic school, and pass the written license exam; graduates can skip the practical test. Others begin in a garage and study while working.
Did you know?
Japanese mechanics use a scan tool to trace faults in a car’s electronics, so the job includes computer detective work—not just wrenches.
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
Management and professions jobsEarn more in the same field
Management and professions 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/197
- www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_tk9_000004.html
- www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_tk9_000003.html
- www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003426335
- www.seigaku.ac.jp/column/automobile/job_description.php
- www.jaspa.or.jp/association/publication/book_data.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY