Key Facts
• May 2024 real wages dropped 2.9% year-on-year, marking five consecutive months of decline.
• Based on Japan’s 2024 Wage Structure Basic Statistical Survey, 144 professions were ranked by average annual income.
• Pilots ranked first with an average annual salary of $1.697 million and monthly pay exceeding $12,600.
• Doctors ranked second with $1.338 million, followed by dentists at $1.135 million.
• University professors (including technical colleges) earned $1.093 million, securing fourth place.
• Certified public accountants and tax accountants earned $856,000, while legal professionals like lawyers earned $765,000.
• Essential workers earned significantly less: caregivers ($376,000), building cleaners ($286,000), and taxi drivers ($414,000).
• The average salary across all professions was $505,000, with top earners making over three times this amount.
• The survey excluded part-time workers and focused on full-time employees in businesses with five or more workers.
Summary
Japan’s 2024 Wage Structure Basic Statistical Survey revealed significant income disparities among professions. Pilots topped the list with an average annual salary of $1.697 million, followed by doctors and dentists. University professors also ranked high, earning over $1 million annually. Professionals with exclusive qualifications, such as certified public accountants and lawyers, dominated the upper ranks. In contrast, essential workers like caregivers, building cleaners, and taxi drivers earned far below the national average of $505,000. The data highlights a stark income gap, with top earners making over three times the average salary. The survey excluded part-time workers, focusing solely on full-time employees in businesses with at least five workers.
