How much does a metal worker make in Japan?
a year · about $16 an hour
The average metal worker in Japan makes $31,017 (¥4.65M) 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?
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Jobs like this
In the US, a typical metal worker makes $45,950 → see more
Data table and sources
| 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 |
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