If you are looking for a career in japanese translation, we have collected a number of jobs to help you pursue just that. It can be tough to break into the sector but this guide will help you find what you’re looking for. Contained within are the salary ranges and requirements for a number of positions including freelance translator, full-time translator, associate translator, project manager and localization chemist.
What is the average salary for a Japanese translator? This will depend on several factors. There are various types of translators and interpreters in Japan so it can be challenging to paint a complete picture. This is especially true if you haven’t worked in this industry before. So, let’s look at things such as location, experience, and level of skill – but also how much demand there is for your skills. To help you decide whether or not you should get into the Japanese language industry or which branch you might like to work in, I have looked at the most popular ways for translators to earn a living in Japan. What could you earn and what type of jobs exist? Mostly we will focus on those working in Japan, but with a few tips on making money from home. Also check out Part 2 .
According to the Salary Survey by the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Japan, the average salary for a Japanese translator is about ¥3,000,000 (or about $30,000). This number varies depending on whether you are an interpreter or translator.
The survey also found that interpreters make more money than translators.
According to a recent survey by the Japanese Translation Agency, the median salary for a Japanese translator is $69,000. The highest paid 10% of translators earn more than $116,000, while the lowest paid 10% earn less than $40,000.
Salary for japanese translator
A person working as a Translator in Japan typically earns around 489,000 JPY per month. Salaries range from 259,000 JPY (lowest) to 743,000 JPY (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Translator salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Translator Salary Distribution in Japan
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
- Salary RangeTranslator salaries in Japan range from 259,000 JPY per month (minimum salary) to 743,000 JPY per month (maximum salary).
- Median SalaryThe median salary is 459,000 JPY per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Translator(s) are earning less than 459,000 JPY while the other half are earning more than 459,000 JPY. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
- PercentilesClosely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Translator(s) are earning less than 323,000 JPY while 75% of them are earning more than 323,000 JPY. Also from the diagram, 75% of Translator(s) are earning less than 565,000 JPY while 25% are earning more than 565,000 JPY.
Translator Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Translator salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Translator with less than two years of experience makes approximately 298,000 JPY per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 365,000 JPY per month, 23% more than someone with less than two year’s experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 518,000 JPY per month, 42% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Translator(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 605,000 JPY per month, 17% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 665,000 JPY per month, 10% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 704,000 JPY per month, 6% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Translator average salary change by experience in Japan
| 0 – 2 Years | 298,000 JPY | |
| 2 – 5 Years | +23% | 365,000 JPY |
| 5 – 10 Years | +42% | 518,000 JPY |
| 10 – 15 Years | +17% | 605,000 JPY |
| 15 – 20 Years | +10% | 665,000 JPY |
| 20+ Years | +6% | 704,000 JPY |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Translator Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Translator salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is High School, the average salary of a Translator is 361,000 JPY per month.
While someone with a Certificate or Diploma gets a salary of 409,000 JPY per month, 13% more than someone having a High School degree.
A Bachelor’s Degree gets its holder an average salary of 535,000 JPY per month, 31% more than someone with a Certificate or Diploma.
Professionals who hold a Master’s Degree are rewarded with an average salary of 704,000 JPY per month, 32% more than someone with Bachelor’s Degree.
Translator average salary difference by education level in Japan
| High School | 361,000 JPY | |
| Certificate or Diploma | +13% | 409,000 JPY |
| Bachelor’s Degree | +31% | 535,000 JPY |
| Master’s Degree | +32% | 704,000 JPY |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
