1. Eikaiwa and Juku

¥180,000 to ¥300,000 per month

Eikaiwa (conversation schools) and juku (cram schools) are where most foreign teachers begin their careers in Japan.

Large chains such as NOVA, AEON and ECC recruit throughout the year, sponsor visas and frequently help teachers arrange accommodation. For graduates arriving in Japan with little or no teaching experience, they provide the easiest route into the profession.

The trade-off is salary.

Entry-level positions generally pay around ¥250,000 per month, although smaller schools sometimes advertise salaries as low as ¥180,000, occasionally with restrictions on outside work.

The reason is largely economic. Eikaiwa schools operate in an extremely competitive market with limited profit margins, keeping salaries relatively low while expecting teachers to teach a high number of lessons.

Salary progression is also limited. Teachers may eventually reach around ¥300,000 per month, while promotions to head teacher or manager provide the main route to higher earnings.

Best for

• First-time teachers
• Visa sponsorship
• A structured introduction to teaching in Japan

Less suitable for

• Teachers seeking long-term career growth
• Anyone prioritising higher salaries

Teach English in Japan | JET Programme, ALT & Eikaiwa — Which Is Right for You?

2. ALT and the JET Programme

¥230,000 to ¥320,000 per month

Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) work alongside Japanese Teachers of English in public schools.

Rather than leading lessons independently, ALTs mainly support pronunciation practice, conversation activities and cultural exchange.

Most ALT positions are offered through dispatch companies, with salaries generally ranging from ¥250,000 to ¥265,000 per month.

The government-run JET Programme pays better, beginning at approximately ¥280,000 per month, with salary increases over successive contract years.

One of the biggest advantages is work-life balance.

Unlike eikaiwa teachers, ALTs usually work weekday daytime hours, with evenings and weekends free.

However, salary progression is limited. Even direct-hire Board of Education positions rarely exceed ¥320,000 to ¥350,000 per month because ALTs remain assistant teachers rather than lead classroom instructors.

Best for

• Teachers wanting predictable weekday hours
• Working with children
• Better work-life balance

Less suitable for

• Teachers wanting classroom autonomy
• Anyone seeking higher salaries

The Definitive Guide to Being an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan

3. International Preschool and Kindergarten

¥240,000 to ¥350,000 per month

The term international preschool covers a huge range of schools in Japan.

Some provide genuine English immersion programmes, while others simply include occasional English activities.

The better schools typically employ native-speaking homeroom teachers responsible for running English-medium classrooms.

These schools commonly pay around ¥280,000 per month, with some positions reaching ¥350,000.

The daytime schedule appeals to many teachers, although working with young children is considerably more demanding than teaching adult conversation classes.

Because standards vary enormously, researching employers carefully is particularly important.

Working in Japan: What It Is Like Working as A Preschool Teacher in Japan

4. Private School (Direct Hire)

¥2,500 to ¥7,000 per hour

Private junior and senior high schools that hire teachers directly generally pay considerably more than ALT or eikaiwa positions.

Teachers are expected to:

• Plan lessons
• Grade assignments
• Assess students
• Contribute to the school’s curriculum

Hourly rates typically begin around ¥3,000 and may exceed ¥7,000 at prestigious schools.

Many positions include paid holidays, making total annual compensation even more attractive.

Competition is strong, but once teachers gain private school experience, moving to better schools becomes significantly easier.

Best for

Experienced teachers looking for greater professionalism and higher salaries.

5. Corporate English Training

¥4 million to ¥7 million per year

Corporate English training is one of the highest-paying options available without becoming a licensed school teacher.

Companies hire trainers to teach executives, engineers and business professionals.

Typical hourly rates range from ¥3,500 to ¥7,000, while full-time salaries generally fall between ¥4 million and ¥7 million annually.

Most work takes place during normal business hours.

Qualifications such as CELTA or DELTA are highly valued, and previous business experience can be a major advantage.

The main drawback is that many positions are contract-based, meaning income may fluctuate.

Working in Japan: Skills You Need to Become a High-Paid Corporate Trainer in Japan

6. Eikaiwa Head Teacher or School Manager

¥350,000 to ¥450,000 per month

Promotion into management is the main way to increase earnings while remaining within the eikaiwa sector.

Senior instructors may earn ¥280,000 to ¥350,000, while school managers typically receive ¥350,000 to ¥450,000.

Management roles focus less on teaching and more on:

• Staff supervision
• Sales
• Administration
• Student recruitment
• Business performance

Weekend work usually remains part of the role.

7. University Lecturer

¥4.5 million to ¥9 million+ per year

University teaching is widely regarded as one of the most desirable careers for English teachers in Japan.

Full-time lecturers typically earn between ¥450,000 and ¥650,000 per month, while senior faculty and tenured professors may earn well above ¥10 million annually.

University workloads are generally lighter than in schools, often involving only six to twelve classes per week, together with long paid holidays.

Competition is intense.

Most positions require:

• A Master’s degree
• Publications
• Conference presentations

Competitive universities increasingly expect applicants to hold a PhD.

Jobs in Japan: How to Become a University English Teacher in Japan

8. International School Teacher

¥5.5 million to ¥10 million+ per year

International schools offer the highest salaries in English language education.

These schools follow recognised curricula such as:

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• British GCSE and A Levels
• American Common Core

Starting salaries generally range from ¥400,000 to ¥450,000 per month, while experienced teachers often earn ¥500,000 to ¥700,000 plus bonuses and benefits.

Benefits frequently include:

• Housing assistance
• Flights home
• Pension contributions
• Professional development
• Comprehensive insurance

Requirements are strict.

Applicants normally need:

• A recognised teaching licence
• A bachelor’s degree
• Two or more years of classroom experience

There is effectively no substitute for these qualifications.

Jobs in Japan: International School Jobs in Japan: Requirements, Salary, and How to Apply

How to Increase Your Salary

Teachers who move beyond entry-level salaries usually follow several common strategies.

Earn Professional Qualifications

CELTA and DELTA qualifications open doors to better-paid teaching positions.

A recognised teaching licence is essential for international schools.

Complete Postgraduate Study

A Master’s degree is the minimum qualification for most university positions.

A PhD becomes increasingly important for research universities.

Build a Private Student Base

Private lessons can pay anywhere from ¥2,000 to ¥10,000 per hour, substantially increasing total income.

Develop a Specialist Skill

Teachers specialising in areas such as:

• Business English
• IELTS
• EIKEN
• Academic writing
• Debate
• STEM English

can often command much higher rates.

Learn Japanese

Although Japanese is unnecessary for many entry-level jobs, JLPT N2 or above can improve opportunities in universities and corporate training.

Work Directly with Employers

Over time, moving away from dispatch companies and building direct relationships with schools or private clients can significantly increase earnings.

Final Thoughts

Many teachers believe English teaching salaries in Japan are capped at ¥300,000 per month, but that only reflects entry-level positions.

Teachers working in international schools, universities and corporate training regularly earn far more because they invest in qualifications, develop specialist skills and make strategic career moves.

The gap between the lowest and highest salaries in Japan’s English teaching market is remarkably wide, and your long-term earnings depend far more on career development than on where you begin.