How much does a software developer make in Japan?
a year · about $20 an hour
The average software developer in Japan makes $38,565 (¥5.78M) 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?
Programmers study a design plan, write code at a computer, then test each piece to see if it works. If a bug appears, they track it down, fix it, and leave notes so the software can be maintained.
Did you know? In Japan, fifth graders can use code to draw shapes and make LED lights blink—programming starts in elementary school.
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
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How it changes with company size
How do you become one?
In Japan, many study at vocational school, college of technology, or university, but no degree or license is required. New graduates and career changers get company training and senior guidance; the national IT exam is optional but can help.
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, pay can vary with experience, skill, specialties such as AI or games, employer, work arrangement, and location. Deadline-driven night or weekend work can affect conditions, and the optional national IT exam may help with hiring but is not required.
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In the US, a typical software developer makes $135,980 → see more
Data table and sources
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $38,565 | $39,868 | $33,841 | 37.1 |
| Big company | $42,727 | $43,912 | $37,556 | 37.6 |
| Mid-size | $36,999 | $38,341 | $32,428 | 36.2 |
| Small company | $34,549 | $35,573 | $31,349 | 37.3 |
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/313
- www.ipa.go.jp/shiken/kubun/list.html
- web-japan.org/kidsweb/cool/25/202508_coding_en.html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY