How much does an office clerk make in Japan?
a year · about $18 an hour
The average office clerk in Japan makes $35,015 (¥5.25M) a year, monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, about the same as a typical worker in Japan (average, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
What do they do?
In Japan, a general-affairs clerk may start by checking email, answering coworkers’ questions, and reviewing timesheets. They then check forms, prepare mail or supplies, handle surprise requests, and wrap up the day’s work.
Did you know? Some Japanese general-affairs clerks help coworkers moving abroad by researching nearby homes, transport, shops, schools, and hospitals.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowWhat if you were…
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How it changes with age
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How it changes with company size
How do you become one?
In Japan, people often join a company after school and start in HR or general affairs, though some transfer in from another department. No special degree or license is required; related credentials, such as a labor-and-social-security attorney qualification, can help.
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, pay can differ with experience, employer size and type, region, and whether someone works full-time or shorter hours; busy periods and extra work can matter too. Useful credentials and skills in areas like hiring, payroll, or labor rules may help people take on more specialized work.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $35,015 | $41,965 | $30,852 | 44.9 |
| Big company | $40,184 | $47,271 | $34,607 | 43.6 |
| Mid-size | $33,980 | $38,647 | $31,023 | 44.9 |
| Small company | $28,991 | $36,493 | $26,416 | 46.9 |
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/432
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/433
- www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003426335
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY