Are you thinking about working in Japan with a Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa? Understanding salary expectations is crucial for planning your future. The SSW program offers jobs in 16 different industries with competitive pay rates equal to Japanese workers. This guide explains what you can expect to earn, benefits you’ll receive, and how SSW compares to other programs.
Japan created the SSW visa program in 2019 to address worker shortages in important industries.[1] The program guarantees foreign workers receive the same basic salary rights as Japanese workers, meaning companies cannot pay you less simply because you’re from another country.[2][3]
SSW Visa Salary in Japan
What You Can Generally Expect
SSW visa holders earn different amounts based on industry and location, following three main salary rules that protect workers from unfair pay.
First, companies must pay SSW workers the same as Japanese employees with similar experience and skills. If a Japanese worker with your experience level earns ¥250,000 per month, you should receive similar pay. However, companies can adjust salaries for reasonable factors like Japanese language ability, special licenses, or job position.
Second, if a company lacks Japanese workers with similar experience, they must pay according to industry standards by matching rates from other companies in the same business area.
Third, if you previously worked as a Technical Intern (TITP program), your SSW salaries will often exceed what you earned during internship. This shows applicants can expect real improvement when advancing to SSW.
Most SSW workers earn ¥180,000 to ¥400,000 monthly depending on industry, with overtime pay at 25% above regular rates. [4]
The 16 Fields, 16 Different Salaries
Nursing Care
Basic care work including helping with bathing, eating, and daily activities. Also includes support with recreation and training activities. Keep in mind that these numbers are just typical salaries and may vary depending on various factors like the company, location, etc.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥180,000 – ¥230,000
Building Cleaning
Interior building cleaning and maintenance work. Clean office buildings, hotels, and other commercial spaces with good job stability.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥180,000 – ¥230,000
Industrial Products Manufacturing
Includes machining, metal processing, electronics assembly, and manufacturing various products. One of the higher-paying fields with strong demand for skilled workers.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥400,000
Construction
Building construction, renovation, and infrastructure work. Physical but well-paid work with opportunities for skill development.
Typical Monthly Salary: ~ ¥250,000
Shipbuilding and Marine Industry
Shipbuilding, welding, painting, and marine equipment work. Specialized skills with good career growth opportunities.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥240,000
Automobile Maintenance
Daily maintenance, regular inspections, and certified repair work for vehicles. Technical skills required with steady work demand.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥230,000
Aviation
Airport ground handling, baggage services, and aircraft maintenance. The highest-paying SSW field requiring precision and reliability.
Typical Monthly Salary: ~ ¥400,000
Accommodation
Hotel and lodging services including front desk, customer service, and restaurant work. Customer service skills important for success.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥240,000
Automobile Transport
Truck driving, taxi services, and bus operations for transporting goods and people. Requires driving license and good navigation skills.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥250,000
Railway
Train operation, maintenance, and railway system management. High safety standards required with excellent job security.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥250,000
Agriculture
Crop farming, livestock care, and food production activities. Physical outdoor work with seasonal variations and rural living.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥255,000
Fishery and Aquaculture
Fishing operations, fish farming, and seafood processing work. Maritime work requiring physical strength and early morning schedules.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥250,000
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Food processing, packaging, and beverage production in factories. Clean working environment with consistent work schedules.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥240,000
Food Service
Restaurant work, cooking, serving customers, and food preparation. Fast-paced environment with meal benefits often included.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥210,000 – ¥240,000
Forestry
Tree planting, forest management, and environmental conservation work. Outdoor work contributing to environmental protection.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥230,000
Wood Industry
Job Description: Lumber processing, woodworking, and wood product manufacturing. Factory work with skill development opportunities in craftsmanship.
Typical Monthly Salary: ¥200,000 – ¥230,000
Employee Benefits
SSW visa holders receive comprehensive benefits equal to Japanese workers, providing security and support during your time in Japan.
Health Insurance
SSW workers receive social insurance coverage where you pay only 30% of medical expenses while the Japanese government covers 70%. This includes hospital visits, surgeries, prescription medicines, regular checkups, and emergency care.
Unemployment Insurance
SSW workers are covered by Japan’s Employment Insurance when eligible. To receive job‑seeker benefits, the general rule is that you need more than 12 months of insured period within the past two years (with some exceptions). You can also access job‑search support and counseling through Hello Work centers. [5]
Paid Leave
After working 6 months, you earn 10 days of paid annual leave, which increases with years of service. Japan does not require employers to provide paid leave specifically for national holidays; whether holidays are paid depends on the employer. [6]
SSW Specific Support
Your company or registered support organization provides 10 types of assistance: airport pickup and departure help, housing and utilities setup, orientation about living in Japan, Japanese language training, workplace guidance, government procedure assistance, regular consultations, emergency support, community activities, and preparation for returning home.
Take-Home Pay: What Gets Taken Out
About 20% of your gross salary goes to taxes and social insurance programs, the same as Japanese workers pay.
Taxes
SSW workers pay income tax (5%-45% progressive rates, most pay 5%-20%) and resident tax (10% of taxable income plus other fees based on municipality). The tax system uses automatic payroll deduction, so your employer handles calculations and payments. [7]
Social Programs
Social insurance contributions total approximately 14.7%~15% of salary:
- Health Insurance: Employee premium rates vary by insurer and prefecture; at the point of care, insured persons generally pay 30% of covered costs (co‑payment). [8]
- Pension Insurance: 9.15% (employee share; employer matches). Eligible foreign workers who leave Japan can apply for a Lump‑sum Withdrawal Payment within two years; the amount is based on insured periods and standard remuneration and is calculated up to a maximum of 60 months (5 years) for claims with periods after April 2021. [9]
- Unemployment Insurance: 0.55% (employee share for general businesses in FY2025). [11]
- Workers’ Accident Compensation: Fully employer-paid[12]
Career Progression: SSW 2
After working as SSW Type 1, you may advance to SSW Type 2, representing a major career upgrade.
Differences between SSW 1 and SSW 2
SSW Type 1: Maximum 5-year stay, no family allowed, 16 industries available.[13] A Japanese language test is required (JFT‑Basic or JLPT N4 or higher).[14]
SSW Type 2: Unlimited renewable stay, family allowed, expanded to 11 industries.[15] Pathway to permanent residency after 10 years.
Difference in Pay
SSW Type 1: ¥150,000-¥400,000 monthly (entry to intermediate positions)
SSW Type 2: ¥250,000-¥500,000+ monthly (supervisory and technical leadership roles)
The salary increase comes from several factors. First, SSW Type 2 workers typically have 3-5 years of Japanese work experience, making them more valuable to employers. Second, they often take on supervisory roles, training newer workers and managing projects. Third, their advanced Japanese language skills allow them to communicate more effectively with customers and colleagues.
However, it’s important to note that the salary increase is not automatic. It depends on your performance, the company you work for, and the demand for your specific skills. Some SSW Type 2 workers may earn similar amounts to experienced Type 1 workers, especially when starting in their new role.
Compared to the Technical Intern Program
Many workers in Japan start with the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) before moving to SSW. Understanding the differences between these programs helps you make better career decisions and see why SSW offers better opportunities.
A Glance at the Pay
TITP Average: ~ ¥204,100 monthly (~$1,360 USD)
SSW Average: ~ ¥232,600 monthly (~$1,550 USD)
SSW workers earn about 10% more than TITP participants. Over five years, the SSW salary premium can exceed ¥1 million. The difference exists because SSW workers have professional employment status with stronger legal protections, while TITP is officially a “training program.”
Difference in Support
TITP: 3,271 supervising organizations focused on training compliance and employer interests
SSW: 6,436 registered support organizations (50% more) focused on worker welfare
SSW provides comprehensive worker support.[16] SSW also allows job changes within the same field, whereas many TITP trainees are tied to one employer with limited recourse for problems.[17]
FAQ
Q: What is the minimum salary for SSW workers? A: No fixed minimum exists. Your salary must equal or exceed Japanese workers doing the same job with similar experience, usually well above regional minimum wage.
Q: Can I negotiate my salary? A: Yes, like Japanese workers. Companies cannot pay you less than equivalent Japanese workers without reasonable justification. [18]
Q: How much money can I save? A: Many SSW workers save ¥50,000-¥100,000 monthly after expenses. Total savings over 5 years could range from ¥3-6 million.
Q: Do I pay the same taxes as Japanese workers? A: Yes, identical taxes and social insurance (about 20% of gross salary) with same benefits and protections.
Q: What if my employer doesn’t pay properly? A: You have same legal protections as Japanese workers, including Labor Standards Office complaints and support organization assistance.
Conclusion
The SSW visa offers excellent salary opportunities with monthly earnings from ¥180,000 to ¥400,000 depending on industry. Key benefits include equal pay with Japanese workers, comprehensive benefits, and strong legal protections. Career progression from SSW Type 1 to Type 2 provides unlimited stay duration and higher-paying supervisory roles.
Compared to TITP, SSW provides roughly 10% higher average salaries, better worker protections, and comprehensive support systems. Most workers can save ¥3-6 million over five years while gaining valuable international experience.
For workers from developing nations, SSW represents a pathway to financial stability earning 3-5 times home country salaries, skill development, and potential long-term residency. The program offers not just higher pay, but also the respect, rights, and recognition that skilled workers deserve.
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