Japan's employment landscape is evolving rapidly, and the job market is characterised by low unemployment, an ageing workforce, and a scarcity of skilled candidates, says Toby Truscott, Managing Director at Michael Page Japan.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Japanese is highly valued, while remote work has transformed traditional work culture. The tech sector is growing, embracing diversity and new AI-driven roles. Healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are adapting to serve an ageing population.
Related: How to negotiate for a higher salary
Japan’s evolving employment landscape
Japan's economic stability attracts investment and job creation, demanding agile and strategic talent acquisition. The challenge for all sectors is refining recruitment and retention strategies for a maturing workforce.
Organisations must balance talent development, financial prudence, and appealing career paths to build successful businesses.
As we venture into 2024, the job market in Japan continues to evolve, presenting exciting opportunities across various industries. For those seeking lucrative career paths, understanding the highest-paying jobs can be invaluable.
Drawing from our latest 2024 Japan Salary Guide, we've compiled a list of the top-paying jobs in Japan.
While the list features senior leadership roles, it will help job seekers identify sectors that can offer competitive salary packages at any point in their careers in the Japanese job market.
Related:How to handle internal promotions
Top high-paying jobs in Japan for 2024
1. Partner in legal practice
Legal professionals at the partner level continue to command high salaries. In 2024, partners in legal firms can earn up to 60 million yen annually. This role involves not only practising law but also managing the firm, developing client relationships, and contributing to the overall business strategy.
(Browse legal jobs.)
2. C-suite executives
C-level positions consistently rank among the highest-paid roles across industries. In 2024, these executives can expect impressive compensation packages:
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Up to 26 million yen annually
- Chief Operations Officer (COO): Up to 29.5 million yen annually
- Chief Strategy Officer (CSO): Up to 32.1 million yen annually
These roles require extensive experience, strategic vision, and the ability to lead organisations through complex business landscapes.
3. Investment Director
In the financial sector, Investment Directors are among the top earners, with salaries reaching up to 20.2 million yen per year. These professionals are responsible for managing investment portfolios, developing investment strategies, and overseeing a team of investment managers.
(Browse investment roles.)
4. Head of Sustainability
With the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, sustainability leaders are in high demand. A Head of Sustainability can earn up to 20 million yen annually. This role involves developing and implementing corporate sustainability strategies, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and driving sustainable business practices.
(Browse sustainability roles.)
5. Data Director
As data becomes increasingly crucial for business decision-making, Data Directors are in high demand. They can earn up to 19.4 million yen annually. This role involves overseeing data strategy, implementing data governance policies, and leveraging data analytics to drive business outcomes. Along with technical skills, soft skills are also essential to communicate the complexity of data management and analysis with other stakeholders within an organisation.
(Browse data roles.)
6. Sales Director
The technology sector offers lucrative opportunities, with Sales Directors earning up to 16.2 million yen annually. This role involves leading sales teams, developing sales strategies, and collaborating with business development managers to drive revenue growth in the competitive tech market.
(Browse sales roles.)
7. Engineering Director
In the manufacturing sector, Engineering Directors can earn up to 15.4 million yen annually. This role involves overseeing engineering teams, driving innovation in product development, and ensuring efficient manufacturing processes.
(Browse engineering roles.)
8. Medical Affairs Director
In the healthcare sector, Medical Affairs Directors can command salaries up to 14.9 million yen per year. These professionals bridge the gap between clinical development and commercialisation, providing medical expertise to support product development and marketing strategies.
(Browse roles in the medical field.)
9. Marketing Director
Marketing leaders in the FMCG and retail sectors can earn up to 14.2 million yen per year. These professionals are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, managing brand portfolios, and driving consumer engagement across various channels.
(Browsemarketing jobs.)
10. Head of Supply Chain
Supply chain management remains a critical function, with Heads of Supply Chain earning up to 13 million yen per year. These professionals are responsible for optimising end-to-end supply chain operations, managing logistics, and implementing cost-effective strategies.
(Browsesupply chain jobs.)
Explore more salary insights
To get a comprehensive view of salaries across various industries and roles in Japan, download the full 2024 Page Insights Salary Guide (we also have the Salary Guide in Japanese), which features the average salary of roles in Japan's dynamic job market, or use our Salary Comparison Tool to see how your compensation compares to industry standards.
While these roles represent some of the highest-paying positions in Japan, it's important to note that salaries can vary based on factors such as company size, location, and individual experience.
As the job market continues to evolve, new high-paying roles may emerge, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy.
Read more:
What to do after being laid off
How to ace your performance review
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Michael Page
25/07/2024
