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Updated 8 October 2026: pay checked against the official JET scale and our Japan guide; unsourced city averages and premiums removed.
English teachers in Japan typically earn around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 a month (about €1,120 to €1,680) at language schools and as assistant language teachers (ALTs). The JET Programme pays about ¥4.02 million a year in year one, roughly ¥335,000 a month, rising to about ¥4.32 million by years four and five. Experienced, qualified teachers at international schools and universities can earn up to around ¥600,000 a month. Tokyo and the other big cities have the most and best paid jobs, but higher rents mean you do not always save more there.
Many salary guides for Japan quote precise averages for every city. Those numbers rarely have a source. This guide uses figures you can check, including the official JET pay scale, explains how pay changes by job type and city, and shows you how to compare offers.
Key takeaways
- Language schools and ALT roles typically pay around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 a month.
- JET pays about ¥4.02 million in year one, ¥4.14 million in year two, ¥4.26 million in year three and about ¥4.32 million in years four and five.
- JET covers flights, but participants pay their own rent and cannot take outside work.
- International schools and universities pay up to around ¥600,000 a month and usually want a teaching licence or a master’s degree.
- Most teaching visas require a bachelor’s degree; a 120-hour TEFL certificate strengthens applications for language schools and ALT work.
How much do English teachers earn in Japan?
Most English teachers in Japan earn between about ¥200,000 and ¥300,000 a month, with JET participants and experienced teachers earning more. The table below shows the verified ranges by job type.
| Job type | Typical pay | In euros (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JET Programme ALT | About ¥4.02 million a year in year one, rising to about ¥4.32 million | About €1,875 a month in year one | Flights covered; you pay your own rent |
| Dispatch company ALT | Around ¥200,000 to ¥250,000 a month | About €1,120 to €1,400 | Placed in schools by an agency |
| Direct hire ALT | Up to around ¥280,000 a month | Up to about €1,570 | Employed directly by a board of education |
| Eikaiwa (private language school) | Around ¥250,000 a month | About €1,400 | Often afternoons, evenings and weekends |
| International schools and universities | Up to around ¥600,000 a month | Up to about €3,360 | Usually a teaching licence or master’s degree |
How much does the JET Programme pay?
JET pays about ¥4,020,000 in the first year, around ¥335,000 a month, rising to ¥4,140,000 in year two, ¥4,260,000 in year three and about ¥4,320,000 in years four and five. Your flights are covered, but you pay your own rent and outside work is not permitted.
JET places you in a prefecture; you can state preferences, but you do not choose your exact city. For the programme’s 2027 deadlines and how applications work, see The Hire Wire.
Which cities in Japan pay English teachers the most?
Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama have the largest number of language schools, international schools and universities, so the highest paying roles are concentrated there. But rent in these cities is high, so the best paid job is not always the one that leaves you with the most at the end of the month.
Tokyo and Yokohama
The greater Tokyo area has the biggest job market in Japan across every school type, and most of the country’s international schools. It is the place to aim for if you want to move up to higher paying roles, but budget carefully for rent.
Osaka and Kyoto
The Kansai region combines a large job market in Osaka with Kyoto’s universities and cultural appeal. Living costs are generally lower than in Tokyo.
Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo
These regional hubs have steady demand from schools and businesses and lower rents than Tokyo, which often makes saving easier on a similar salary.
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Get on the WireHow much can you save teaching in Japan?
Savings depend mainly on your rent and lifestyle. Because JET participants and most language school teachers pay their own rent, the cheapest way to estimate is to take your monthly pay, subtract a realistic rent for the city and your other monthly costs, and see what is left. Regional cities usually leave more on a similar salary than central Tokyo.
Some teachers add private lessons or business English, which typically pay around ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 an hour. Check your visa and contract first: JET does not allow outside work, and other employers may restrict it.
What do you need to teach English in Japan?
Most teaching visas, including the Instructor and the Specialist in Humanities visas, require a bachelor’s degree. Employers also look for strong English, and a TEFL certificate improves your chances for language school and ALT roles.
- Degree: a bachelor’s degree in any subject for most visas.
- TEFL: 120 hours is the usual standard; a regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma (Ofqual 610/1571/4) helps for competitive roles.
- Universities: usually a master’s degree, plus publications or experience.
- Documents: see TEFL certificate legalisation explained and the Visa Desk.
How should you compare job offers in Japan?
Compare the full package and the real working pattern, not just the monthly figure. Two offers with the same salary can leave you with very different savings once rent, travel and hours are counted.
| Check | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Housing | Is housing provided, subsidised or your own cost? What is key money or the deposit? |
| Hours | Teaching and office hours per week; evening and weekend work |
| Contract | Length, paid holidays, unpaid breaks between terms |
| Visa | Which visa, and does the employer sponsor it? |
| Insurance | Enrolment in national health insurance and pension |
For tips on spotting a risky offer, see our guide to getting your first TEFL job, and for the bigger picture, our JET Programme guide.
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FAQs
Questions students ask us
Most English teachers in Japan earn around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 a month at language schools and as assistant language teachers, about €1,120 to €1,680. JET pays about ¥4.02 million a year in year one, and experienced, qualified teachers at international schools and universities can earn up to around ¥600,000 a month.
According to official 2026 JET Programme information from the Embassies of Japan, JET pays about ¥4,020,000 in year one (around ¥335,000 a month), ¥4,140,000 in year two, ¥4,260,000 in year three and about ¥4,320,000 in years four and five. Flights are covered, but participants pay their own rent.
Tokyo and Yokohama, followed by Osaka, have the most international schools, universities and language schools, so the highest paying roles are concentrated there. Rents are also highest in these cities, so regional cities such as Fukuoka, Nagoya or Sapporo can leave you with similar or better savings.
Usually not. JET participants pay their own rent, and most language school teachers do too, although some employers help with finding accommodation or offer subsidised housing. Always ask about rent, deposits and key money before accepting an offer.
Most teaching visas, including the Instructor and Specialist in Humanities visas, require a bachelor’s degree in any subject. A 120 hour TEFL certificate strengthens applications for language schools and ALT roles, and universities usually want a master’s degree plus publications or experience.
Sometimes. Private lessons and business English typically pay around ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 an hour, but JET does not allow outside work and other employers or visa conditions may restrict it. Check your contract and visa permissions before taking on extra students.
