How much does a hairstylist make in Japan?
Answer: The average hairstylist in Japan makes $25,901 (¥3.89M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,099 × 12 + bonus $709. Average age 30; about 50,000 people work in this job. Below the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Hairstylist pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $25,901 | $30,169 | $23,779 | 30 |
| Big company | $32,254 | $35,433 | $27,387 | 44.2 |
| Mid-size | $26,459 | $31,598 | $23,969 | 27 |
| Small company | $25,077 | $28,431 | $23,499 | 31.3 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, pay may rise with experience and skill; management certificates and a popular reputation can help too. It can differ by salon or chain, region, and specialty. Full-time or shorter hours, plus busy-season work, can change total 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 hairstylist do?
What's a typical day like?
They welcome clients, ask what style they want, then cut, wash, color, and style hair; barbers may also shave faces. Between clients they disinfect tools, update client notes, and clean the station.
How to get this job
In Japan, finish high school and study at a designated barber or hairdresser school, usually for two years full-time or three by correspondence. Pass the written and practical national exam, get licensed, and usually start as a salon assistant around age 20.
Did you know?
Japanese barber Shitsui Hakoishi became the world’s oldest female barber at 108; she began as an apprentice at 14.
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
Service and food jobsEarn more in the same field
Service and food 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/115
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/116
- www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11130500/001303053.pdf
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
- www.sanko.ac.jp/job/research/beautician/nagare.html
- www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/06/shitsui-hakoishi-worlds-oldest-female-barb
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY