How much does a metal worker make in Japan?
Answer: The average metal worker in Japan makes $31,017 (¥4.65M) a year (monthly pay × 12 plus bonus, 2025, Japan's Basic Survey on Wage Structure).
Monthly pay $2,147 × 12 + bonus $5,257. Average age 45.3; about 256,000 people work in this job. About the same as the Japan-wide average ($33,720).
Metal worker pay in Japan (2025, averages by company size and sex)
| Company size | Everyone | Men | Women | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any size | $31,017 | $34,287 | $19,490 | 45.3 |
| Big company | $42,901 | $44,238 | $30,659 | 42.8 |
| Mid-size | $27,112 | $31,637 | $17,637 | 46.1 |
| Small company | $27,289 | $28,532 | $20,063 | 46.2 |
Why does pay differ?
In Japan, pay can vary with experience, valuable skills or certificates, and the type and size of employer or its location. A specialist role, full- or part-time hours, overtime, and night or shift work can also make a difference.
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 metal worker do?
What's a typical day like?
They check a drawing and raw metal, then use a machine or hand tool to heat-treat, roll, draw, join, or shape it. They measure and inspect finished pieces, then check equipment before the next batch.
How to get this job
In Japan, people often start after high school; a public vocational course can teach metal cutting, bending, welding, and safe machine use. Many begin by helping an experienced worker, then may earn a useful skills certificate; a license is not always required.
Did you know?
In Japan, casting can make shapes far more complex than hammering can: workers pour molten metal into a mold and let it cool.
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
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
- www.e-stat.go.jp/classifications/terms/20/02/529
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/254
- www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/b0806/j18kamoku/j18kinzokukako.html
- www.chiba-chiikishigoto.jp/jobinfo/72318/
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
- www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R4-00038,html
Data: MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY