How much does a hairstylist make in Japan?
a year · about $13 an hour
The average hairstylist in Japan makes $25,901 (¥3.89M) a year, monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, below a typical worker in Japan ($33,720) (average, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Japanese barber Shitsui Hakoishi became the world’s oldest female barber at 108; she began as an apprentice at 14.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowWhat 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
How do you become one?
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.
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.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In the US, a typical hairstylist makes $35,790 → see more
Data table and sources
| 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 |
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