【Work in Japan】What Is the National Average Salary for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work”? A Complete Guide Including Bonuses and Other Compensation
【Work in Japan】What Is the National Average Salary for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work”? A Complete Guide Including Bonuses and Other Compensation
I’m the representative of Kisaragi Immigration Support Office.
In my twenties, I lived in several countries, working in agriculture and the tourism industry, and had many opportunities to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. These experiences inspired me to support foreign nationals taking on new challenges in Japan, which led me to become a certified immigration legal specialist (Gyoseishoshi).
I am a registered member of the Aichi Prefecture Administrative Scriveners Association (Registration No. 22200630).
The number of foreign workers employed as Specified Skilled Workers in the care work field is increasing year by year.
From an employer’s perspective, determining appropriate salary levels can be challenging, while foreign workers themselves often wonder how their compensation compares to market standards. Many are concerned about salaries, bonuses, and overall benefits.
This article provides a clear explanation of the national average salaries for those working in Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” positions, along with bonus structures and compensation systems. We also carefully explain differences based on qualifications and company size, methods for increasing income, and compile practical knowledge useful for actual employment and workplace situations.
Average Monthly Salary for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work”: A Guideline of Approximately 225,000 Yen
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s 2025 (Reiwa 7) Basic Survey on Wage Structure, the average scheduled earnings of foreign workers with Specified Skilled Worker status working in the “medical, health care and welfare” industry were 225,000 yen. Contractual cash earnings, which also include overtime pay and similar items, were 236,900 yen.
Because this survey has no separate category for “Care Work” alone, we use the figures for the “medical, health care and welfare” industry, where much care work is done, as a guideline. Scheduled earnings are the pay for June 2025, excluding overtime pay and similar items, before taxes and other deductions (the average for general workers; short-time workers are not included).
The average for all Specified Skilled Workers was 221,400 yen, and the average for all foreign workers regardless of status of residence was 254,300 yen.
On the other hand, the average scheduled earnings of “care workers (medical and welfare facilities, etc.),” including Japanese workers, were 262,900 yen, a difference of 37,900 yen (because one figure is tabulated by industry and the other by occupation, this comparison is only a rough guide).
In the following sections, we will examine in detail the various data and factors behind these income disparities.
In the same survey, the average age of Specified Skilled Workers in the “medical, health care and welfare” industry was 27.0 years, a significant difference from the average of 45.3 years for “care workers (medical and welfare facilities, etc.),” including Japanese workers.
This age difference is also reflected in length of service: the average length of service of Specified Skilled Workers in the “medical, health care and welfare” industry was 1.6 years, shorter than the average of 9.0 years for care workers.
Therefore, this difference in experience is considered to be one of the factors influencing the gap in average monthly income between Specified Skilled Workers and the overall care worker population.
Average Annual Bonus is Approximately 205,000 Yen
The average “annual bonuses and other special earnings” of Specified Skilled Workers in the “medical, health care and welfare” industry were 205,200 yen, a lower level than the average of 243,300 yen for all foreign workers and the average of 547,800 yen for care workers (medical and welfare facilities, etc.).
Bonuses in this survey are the amounts paid during the one year before the survey (January to December 2024). Because the average length of service is short at 1.6 years, and the statistics also include people who had not yet received a bonus in the previous year, the average amount may appear low.
Salary Differences Based on Qualifications
The care work industry has a characteristic where salaries tend to vary based on the qualifications held.
For example, completing Basic Care Training or Practical Care Training, or obtaining the national Certified Care Worker qualification, may lead to a qualification allowance being paid.
However, some foreign workers in Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” positions, despite having passed the exams required for their residence status, do not yet hold these qualifications.
Therefore, whether or not a worker holds these qualifications is also considered one of the factors that make Specified Skilled Worker salaries lower than those of the overall care worker population.
Salary Differences Based on Company Size
Looking at the scheduled earnings of Specified Skilled Workers by company size in the 2025 statistics, they were 213,200 yen at companies with 1,000 or more employees, 217,500 yen at companies with 100 to 999 employees, and 227,600 yen at companies with 10 to 99 employees.
For Specified Skilled Workers, these statistics do not show a trend of higher salaries at larger companies.
In addition, looking at the scheduled earnings of Specified Skilled Workers by industry, the “medical, health care and welfare” industry was 225,000 yen, higher than manufacturing (207,300 yen) and lower than construction (265,900 yen).
Since actual salaries differ from workplace to workplace, it is important to check each job posting and employment conditions document individually.
Rules for Determining Specified Skilled Worker Salary Amounts
When employing foreign workers through the Specified Skilled Worker system, there are legal rules that employers must follow when determining salaries.
Here, we will explain in detail the regulations and standards regarding Specified Skilled Worker compensation.
Compensation Must Be Equal to or Greater Than That of Japanese Workers
When employing foreign workers with Specified Skilled Worker status, companies are required under Japanese law (the Ministerial Ordinance on Specified Skilled Worker standards) to pay compensation equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers engaged in the same duties.
In addition, employers must not treat workers in a discriminatory manner on the grounds that they are foreign nationals with regard to deciding compensation, providing education and training, use of welfare facilities (such as company housing), or other treatment (Immigration Services Agency operational guidelines).
Whether compensation is equal or greater is explained by comparing it with Japanese workers who have a similar level of skills and whose duties and degree of responsibility are equivalent. If there is no Japanese worker to compare with, it is explained by comparison with the wage rules or with the Japanese worker whose duties and degree of responsibility are closest (operational guidelines).
Minimum Wage Law Applies
Japan’s Minimum Wage Law also applies to foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program, and employers must pay wages at or above the regional minimum wage.
Regional minimum wages (hourly) are set for each of the 47 prefectures.
In the fiscal 2026 (Reiwa 8) revision, the highest is Tokyo at 1,280 yen (effective October 1, 2026), and the lowest is Miyazaki Prefecture at 1,085 yen (effective October 24, 2026); the national weighted average is 1,177 yen.
Effective dates differ by prefecture, and before the effective date the pre-revision amount applies (1,023 yen in Miyazaki Prefecture). Minimum wages are reviewed every year, and in fiscal 2026 they were raised in all prefectures.
Main Methods to Increase Income for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work”
There are several key points for those working in Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” positions to increase their income.
From here, we will introduce specific methods that can lead to salary increases in order.
Obtaining Care Work Qualifications
One method for Specified Skilled Workers in care work settings to increase their income is through qualification allowances obtained by earning certifications.
Some care facilities provide qualification allowances, which may be added for completing “Basic Care Worker Training” or “Certified Care Worker Practical Training,” or for holding the national qualification of “Certified Care Worker.”
Whether a qualification allowance is paid, and how much, differs by facility. Check the wage rules or employment conditions document of the facility where you work or are applying.
At facilities that have qualification allowances, they are required to be applied to foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program on the same basis as to Japanese workers.
Since the Specified Skilled Worker system prohibits discriminatory treatment on the grounds of being a foreign national, including in deciding compensation, obtaining qualifications is one way to raise your salary.
Therefore, acquiring necessary knowledge and skills to pursue certifications leads to long-term career advancement and income improvement.
Improving Japanese Language Ability
In the care work field, Japanese communication skills directly impact trust-building in the workplace and work accuracy, so many workplaces place high value on Japanese language proficiency.
Therefore, foreign workers who have passed high-level examinations such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) tend to find it easier to transfer to workplaces with better benefits.
Additionally, improving Japanese language skills creates more capacity for studying for the Certified Care Worker National Examination and handling daily tasks, expanding opportunities for career advancement.
Some facilities also provide allowances based on Japanese language ability, making language skill development a direct path to income increases.
Enhancing Japanese language comprehension is considered to lead to future career development and securing stable employment environments.
Summary
This article has provided a detailed explanation of salary ranges for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work,” differences based on age and company size, and legal rules related to wage determination.
Under the system, Specified Skilled Workers must receive compensation equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers, and income increases can be expected through obtaining qualifications and improving Japanese language abilities.
For those considering employment under the Specified Skilled Worker program in the future, it is important to proceed with career planning while being mindful of the importance of developing qualifications and language skills, not just focusing on immediate salary and benefits.
Expert Commentary
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Overview of the Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2020,” the average wage (scheduled earnings) of Specified Skilled Workers was 174,600 yen, confirming it was 46,800 yen lower than the 2025 figure of 221,400 yen.
In recent years, Japan has also experienced rising living costs due to inflation, but if salary levels continue to rise accordingly, it is believed that more stable life planning will become possible for foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s 2025 (Reiwa 7) Basic Survey on Wage Structure, the average scheduled earnings of foreign workers with Specified Skilled Worker status working in the “medical, health care and welfare” industry were 225,000 yen. Contractual cash earnings, which also include overtime pay and similar items, were 236,900 yen.
When employing foreign workers through the Specified Skilled Worker system, there are legal rules that employers must follow when determining salaries.
There are several key points for those working in Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” positions to increase their income.
