How Much Do English Teachers In Japan Make?

Seeing as there is such a huge demand for English teachers in Japan right now, let’s look at the current English teaching salaries in Japan in 2023.

In Japan, there are a range of teaching options available to you if you have a TEFL qualification. There are a number of government programs which place teachers as Assistant Language Teachers (or ALTs), or you can apply directly to an eikaiwa, or conversation school. Let’s look now at the different salaries for teaching English in Japan. 

1. JET Program

The Japan Exchange and Teaching programme (or JET programme) is a popular option to get an English teaching job in a Japanese public school, as an Assistant Language Teacher, or ALT. 

With the JET program, teachers earn ¥3.36 million ($23,500 ) in their first year, ¥3.6 million ($25,500) in their second year, and ¥3.9 million ($28,000)in their third year. This is approximately $2,000 to $2,500 a month. On top of that, flights and visa costs are covered, as well as health insurance while you’re in Japan. 

2. ALTs

There are other ways to work as an Assistant Language Teacher that aren’t through a government programme. ALTs can be hired directly through schools or through recruiters. 

For these positions, in public schools, you can expect to earn between ¥200,000 and ¥300,000 ($1,400 and $2,100) a month. Don’t expect too many benefits with these positions, besides insurance. 

3. Eikaiwas

There are plenty of jobs in private language schools or English conversation schools, also known as eikaiwas, around Japan. These lessons are usually conversational English lessons and your working hours may be sporadic as you teach students after school, after work and on weekends. 

At an eikaiwa, teachers earn approximately ¥250,000 ($1,800) a month.

3. University salaries

Teaching jobs in universities typically offer fewer working hours and a lot more paid vacation days than other teaching positions. Because of this – and the high salaries – teachers preferably need at least a Master’s degree and substantial teaching experience. 

Salaries at universities range from ¥250,000 to ¥600,000 ($1,800 to $4,500) a month.

4. International schools

Teaching jobs at international schools are few and far between. International schools are mostly in Tokyo so that’s the best place to look for positions. Because of the competition for jobs in international schools, you need to be highly qualified and experienced. 

Salaries range from ¥250,000 to ¥600,000 ($1,800 to $4,500) a month. Your salary may include housing and a settlement allowance.

In Japan you work hard, and you can play hard too. Which can mean living from paycheque to paycheque. But if you’re smart, it’s perfectly possible to save up to 50% of your salary – even more, if you’re money-savvy.

Living costs in Japan

Here’s an idea of the general living costs in Japan. Bear in mind your employer may provide accommodation or give a housing allowance, which will save you loads. 

Accommodation 

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre: ¥100,000 ($750)
• One-bedroom apartment outside city centre: ¥75,000 ($550)

Utilities

• Water, electricity, heating, garbage: ¥15,000 – ¥20,000 ($100 – $150 USD) a month

Food and groceries

• Monthly shop:  ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 ($180 – $370) a month
•  A meal at an inexpensive restaurant:  between ¥750 and ¥1,500 ($5 – $10) 

Public transport 

• Monthly pass: ¥8,000 ($60)

Internet and phone

• Internet: ¥5,000 ($35)
• Phone, per minute: ¥35 ($0.2) 

Entertainment

• Cinema, gym, going out etc: ¥6,700 ($50)

Employer benefits

Japan not only offers high salaries but also good benefits. It’s not unusual for an employer to cover your flights and visa costs, and universities and the JET program offer accommodation too – which is a huge relief. Insurance is generally taken care of by the employer.

Disposable income

Your disposable income depends on your spending habits. If you’re earning ¥275,000 ($1,900) and being careful with your money, you should be able to save ¥175,000 ($1,200) of that. Obviously if you’re earning more you can spend or save more.

But if you want to see all the sights in Japan and do all the touristy things and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, then your money won’t stretch as far. Ultimately it’s down to what your goals are at the end of the day.

Teaching jobs in Japan offer generous salaries but living in Japan can be costly. As with other countries, how much you save is entirely dependent on the lifestyle and standard of living you choose. It’s possible to save money as an English teacher in Japan but you need to penny pinch and be money savvy. Our top tips:

• Be qualified
• Do your research
• Live and shop like a local

TEFL certification for higher positions

Teachers with higher qualifications are guaranteed higher salaries in Japan. Positions in universities and international schools offer much higher salaries than other teaching jobs, with preferable working conditions and benefits. Some universities offer 3 months’ paid vacation! Can you imagine?!

If you’re serious about securing one of these positions, it’s a essential that you have a Level 5 TEFL certificate. The TEFL Academy offers TEFL courses which are reputable, accredited and internationally recognised. Plus, when you sign up you can have access to three FREE Top-Up Courses – the perfect way to upgrade your TEFL certificate and enhance your CV.

Do your research

Shop around when it comes to applying for teaching jobs in Japan. Even if your heart is set on Tokyo, understanding that the cost of living there is so much higher than anywhere else might make you change your mind.

Don’t consider a job only by its salary. Think about the benefits of your package as well as the living costs of where you are based. Transportation is a big consideration in Japan, especially Tokyo, so this must be taken into account as well.

Shop and live like a local

Eating out can be pricey in Japan, especially if you have a taste for luxury. To save money, shop at your local supermarket and cook at home, or eat out at local hole-in-the-wall restaurants that only the locals know about. Fine dining experiences and Western restaurants are a sure way to bust your budget.

Got more questions? Of course you do! Let’s look at some frequently asked questions on how to make money teaching in Japan.

How hard is it getting a teaching job in Japan?

Getting a teaching job is pretty straightforward. Going through a government program is especially simple, though the process can take a while so the deadlines for applications are quite early.

Applying through a jobs board like ours is also simple. But Japanese employers are extremely diligent when hiring employees so again the application process will have a number of stages.

How much demand is there for English teachers in Japan?

There is a huge demand for English teachers in Japan, especially after COVID. Historically, the English proficiency of Japan has never been very high. When COVID hit, many foreign teachers left and no new teachers were employed for a long time. Now that we are back to normal, there is a massive need for English teachers.

Can you teach English in Japan with no degree?

A Bachelor’s degree is required for all jobs, and a TEFL qualification is preferred. A postgraduate degree may be required for some positions, especially in universities.

To get around the degree issue, teachers can apply for a Working Holiday Visa or a Student Visa. If you meet the specific requirements of those visas, then it’s possible to work in Japan without a degree!

Alternatively, you can teach Japanese students online without a degree. There are a growing number of companies which offer online lessons to Japanese students. As an independent online English teacher, you don’t need any specific qualifications to find students. If you work for an online teaching companyThere are quite a few cities, there may be a few requirements, but a degree is not necessarily required for online teaching.

Where can you find the best teaching English in Japan jobs?

There are quite a few cities where you can teach English in Japan. Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are the hotspots for teaching English in Japan, but there are many smaller towns and villages where Japanese students need English teachers.

1. Tokyo

Tokyo is a good option for big-city lovers. Rich in history, it seamlessly blends the ultramodern with the traditional. Because of its sheer size, teachers in Tokyo may find themselves with a commute of 60 to 90 minutes from their accommodation to school.

2. Osaka

Osaka has a nice mix of culture, nightlife and great food. It’s a cultural and gastronomic hub of Japan while also being home to some of the biggest technology brands – and the original Japanese Buddhist temple, Shitteno-ji Tempe. It is the third-largest city in Japan.

3. Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most popular Japanese cities to visit and teach in. A small city, Kyoto is where you are sure to encounter traditional Japanese culture on an everyday basis.

If you prefer a more laid-back lifestyle, Japan has plenty of smaller towns that are also buzzing with job opportunities – such as Chiba, Sendai and Kobe.

In a word, hai – which means yes! 

Japan is such a vastly interesting country that to truly understand it, you need to live there rather than just visit. Teaching provides you with the perfect opportunity to experience this fascinating country, while earning money at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!