Construction pays above most other SSW fields — a structural labor shortage plus 2024 overtime caps forced wages up. Entry pay clusters around ¥220,000–300,000 a month, with skilled trades and licensed operators earning well beyond that.
Key facts
- Entry monthly (typical)
- ¥220–300k
- Skilled trades
- ¥300–400k+
- Pay style
- Monthly or day-rate (nikkyū)
- Main visa
- SSW (construction)
- Demand
- Structural shortage
From gross to take-home — a sample payslip
| Line | Amount (monthly) |
|---|---|
| Gross pay (typical mid for this job) | ¥310,000 |
| Health insurance (≈5%) | −¥15,500 |
| Employee pension (9.15%) | −¥28,400 |
| Employment insurance (≈0.55%) | −¥1,700 |
| Withheld income tax (≈2–4%) | −¥7,800 |
| Resident tax (from year 2, ≈6%) | −¥18,600 |
| Take-home, year 1 (approx.) | ¥256,600 |
| Take-home, from year 2 (approx.) | ¥238,000 |
Path2Japan estimate from the typical mid salary above — rates shift slightly with income, dependents and municipality. Year 1 has no resident tax, so pay "shrinking" in year 2 is normal, not an error.
Why construction outpays other entry fields
Japan is rebuilding infrastructure with a workforce that aged out — the shortage is structural, not cyclical. Combined with the 2024 overtime caps (which forced employers to hire rather than stretch), base pay in construction has climbed faster than in factory or hospitality work.
Reading a construction offer
Three things decide your real income: base vs day-rate (day-rate looks higher until weather strikes), overtime treatment under the capped rules, and allowances — site, skill, and license allowances routinely add ¥30,000–60,000 to a skilled worker’s month. Get all three in the written contract.
The ladder
The SSW construction field hires at N4 plus the field exam. From there: equipment and safety licenses (each one raises pay), then the supervisor track through SSW (ii) — where family sponsorship and unlimited renewals turn a job into a settlement path.
Japanese you will use on this page (tap ▶)
| 上、気をつけて! Ue, ki o tsukete! Watch out above! | |
| ヘルメットを着用してください。 Herumetto o chakuyō shite kudasai. Please wear your helmet. | |
| 本日の作業、終了しました。 Honjitsu no sagyō, shūryō shimashita. Today\u2019s work is finished. | |
| すみません、もう一度お願いします。 Sumimasen, mō ichido onegai shimasu. Sorry, could you say that once more? | |
| 体調が悪いので、今日は休ませてください。 Taichō ga warui node, kyō wa yasumasete kudasai. I am not feeling well; please let me take today off. |
Audio synthesized with VOICEVOX:Meimei Himari at standard pace for shadowing; real conversations run faster and carry accents.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Figures are indicative ranges from public sources. Day-rate work means rainy days can cut monthly income — ask how weather days are handled.
- The 2024 overtime caps apply to construction — schedules promising unlimited overtime income are now a compliance red flag, not a perk.
- Confirm who pays for safety gear and licenses; reputable employers cover both, and deductions here often signal contract problems.
Frequently asked questions
What does an SSW construction worker earn in Japan?
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) pay in the Construction field sits in the same ¥220,000–400,000 a month band as other workers doing the job — SSW status is a visa, not a pay grade. Japanese law requires equal or better pay than a Japanese national in the same role, so the status protects the rate rather than raising it. What SSW changes is mobility: you can change employer within the field.
How does pay grow in construction?
Through licenses — crane, welding, scaffolding and equipment certifications each add allowances, and the site-supervisor track (via SSW (ii) or beyond) is where pay jumps.
Is the work year-round?
Mostly yes in urban Japan, but regional and weather effects are real for day-rate workers. Monthly-salaried positions smooth this out.
Which cities pay best after rent?
Tokyo pays most in absolute terms, but regional projects with dormitories often net more — compare with the cost-of-living pages before chasing the headline number.
Official sources
- MHLW — Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2026-07-16)
What this salary saves in each city: TokyoYokohamaOsakaNagoyaSaitamaChibaKyotoKobeFukuokaSapporo
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always confirm details with the official sources listed above before making decisions.