【Work in Japan】What Is the National Average Salary for Specified Skilled Workers in “Care Work”? A Complete Guide Including Bonuses and Other Compensation

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” is Approximately 220,000 Yen

The average monthly salary for foreign workers with Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” status is approximately 223,000 yen.

This amount is about 10,000 yen lower than the overall Specified Skilled Worker average of approximately 232,000 yen in 2023, and shows a difference of about 40,000 yen compared to the average of approximately 267,000 yen for foreign workers across all residence statuses.

Furthermore, when compared to the average monthly income of approximately 340,000 yen for all care workers including Japanese nationals and permanent residents, it falls short by nearly 120,000 yen.

In the following sections, we will examine in detail the various data and factors behind these income disparities.

Average Age is 26.3 Years

The average age of foreign workers in the Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” field is 26.3 years, showing a significant difference compared to the overall care worker average age of 46.7 years.

This age difference is also reflected in years of experience in care work, with foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program having an average length of service of 1.7 years, which tends to be shorter compared to the overall care worker average of approximately 7 years.

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 Bonus Amount is Approximately 66,000 Yen

The average bonus amount in the Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” field is approximately 66,000 yen, which is clearly lower compared to the average bonus of approximately 207,000 yen for foreign workers across all residence statuses.

This difference is likely influenced by the fact that the average length of service for Specified Skilled Workers in care work is only 1.7 years, which is relatively short.

Since the statistics include foreign workers in their first year of employment who have not yet received bonuses, the overall average amount may be calculated as relatively 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, obtaining certifications such as Basic Care Training, Practical Care Training, or the national Certified Care Worker qualification often results in qualification allowances being paid for each certification.

However, many foreign workers in Specified Skilled Worker “Care Work” positions, despite having passed the exams required for their residence status, often do not hold these additional qualifications.

As a result, the presence or absence of qualifications is considered to be one of the major factors influencing why Specified Skilled Worker care salaries tend to be lower compared to the overall care worker population.

Salary Differences Based on Company Size

The average monthly salary for Specified Skilled Workers employed at companies with 1,000 or more employees is approximately 263,000 yen, significantly exceeding the overall Specified Skilled Worker average of approximately 222,000 yen.

This data suggests a trend where larger company size tends to correlate with higher salary levels.

However, the care work field does not have many large-scale operators with over 1,000 employees.

Therefore, when compared to industries with many large corporations such as manufacturing, salary levels in the care work field tend to be approximately 20,000 to 30,000 yen lower.

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 legally required to pay “compensation equal to or greater than that of Japanese workers engaged in the same duties.”

This standard applies not only to cash wages but also requires that benefits such as vacation entitlements, company housing, and cafeteria facilities be equal to or better than those provided to Japanese workers.

However, when differences are based on reasonable circumstances such as length of service, qualifications held, educational background, or differences in assigned duties, salary disparities between foreign and Japanese workers do not pose issues within the system.

Minimum Wage Law Applies

Foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program are also subject to Japan’s Minimum Wage Law, and must be paid salaries at or above the minimum wage set for each region.

Regional minimum wages vary across all 47 prefectures, with urban areas having higher wage levels that reflect differences in living costs.

As of July 2025, the highest is Tokyo at 1,163 yen, while the lowest is Akita Prefecture at 951 yen.

Due to the influence of recent social conditions such as rising prices, minimum wages are reviewed annually and have been trending upward year by year.

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.

Many care facilities provide monthly allowances for each qualification, with qualification allowances typically added for certifications such as “Basic Care Worker Training,” “Certified Care Worker Practical Training,” and “Certified Care Worker National Examination.”

The average qualification allowance rates are as follows:

Basic Care Worker Training: approximately 3,000 yen

Certified Care Worker Practical Training: approximately 5,000 yen

Certified Care Worker National Examination: approximately 10,000 yen

These qualification allowances are applied equally to foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker program as a principle.

Since the Specified Skilled Worker system prohibits compensation disparities based on foreign nationality, efforts in obtaining qualifications are directly reflected in salary benefits.

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, foreign care workers are guaranteed the same treatment as 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 monthly income for Specified Skilled Workers was 174,000 yen, confirming it was more than 50,000 yen lower than current average monthly income levels.

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.