How much does a construction worker make in Japan?
Answer: The average construction worker in Japan makes $27,634 (¥4.15M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,135 × 12 + bonus $2,018. Average age 41.9; about 95,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Construction worker pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $27,634 | $27,685 | $22,457 | 41.9 |
| Big company | $24,979 | $24,979 | — | 47.8 |
| Mid-size | $30,263 | $30,275 | $27,985 | 40.8 |
| Small company | $27,469 | $27,521 | $22,184 | 41.8 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, experience and skill matter: some firms give allowances for trade certificates, and skilled workers may be paid by output. Location and employer matter too—big firms may use monthly pay—and rain delays or overtime, night, or holiday work can change earnings.
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 construction worker do?
What's a typical day like?
At the site, workers read plans and build rebar, scaffolds, or forms with their crew. A formwork worker checks that panels are level, watches the concrete pour, then removes them after it hardens.
How to get this job
In Japan, no special schooling or license is needed to start; many learn on the job as apprentices under skilled workers. With experience, they can take formwork or rebar skill tests and earn safety-leader qualifications for assigned work.
Did you know?
In Japan, formwork workers help shape concrete for not only buildings but also Shinkansen railways, bridges, tunnels, and subways.
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/27
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/28
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/30
- www.soumu.go.jp/toukei_toukatsu/index/seido/shokgyou/kou_h21.htm
- www.hataraku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kyushokusha-kunren/etc/kensetujinzai/index.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY