- Real 2025 salary figures for every major English teaching job in Japan
- JET Programme vs ALT dispatch vs eikaiwa vs university — compared honestly
- Benefits, housing support, and what’s actually included in each package
- How to maximize income as an English teacher in Japan
- The career ceiling problem — and what to do about it
English teaching is still the most common route into Japan for foreigners — and for good reason. It’s accessible (most positions require only a university degree), the demand is consistent, and it provides a structured way to enter Japan’s job market. But salaries vary enormously. Here’s the honest breakdown.
English Teaching Jobs in Japan: The Main Types
| Type | Employer | Salary Range | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| JET Programme | Government (BOE) | ¥280,000–396,000/month | 1–5 years |
| ALT (dispatch company) | Dispatch companies | ¥200,000–280,000/month | 1-year renewable |
| Eikaiwa (chain schools) | NOVA, ECC, Berlitz | ¥200,000–270,000/month | Ongoing |
| Private eikaiwa | Small private schools | ¥220,000–350,000 | Varies |
| University instructor | Universities | ¥250,000–500,000/month | Academic year |
| International school | Private K-12 | ¥300,000–600,000/month | Academic year |
| Private tutoring | Self-employed | ¥3,000–10,000/hour | Freelance |
JET Programme — Best Entry Package
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme places foreign graduates in public schools as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs).
Salary
- Year 1: ¥280,000/month (~$1,900)
- Year 2: ¥313,000/month
- Year 3: ¥346,000/month
- Year 4: ¥379,000/month
- Year 5: ¥396,000/month
Benefits
- Flights paid: Round-trip airfare from home country
- Housing: Provided or subsidized (typically ¥20,000–50,000/month subsidy)
- Health insurance: Enrolled in Shakai Hoken (employer-sponsored)
- Pension: Enrolled in Japan’s public pension
- Paid vacation: 10 days annual leave plus national holidays
- Contract length: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years
How to Apply
Applications open in October each year for the following April start. Apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Competition is high — approximately 50,000 applications for ~4,000 positions.
Locations
JET places participants throughout Japan, including rural areas. Urban placements (Tokyo, Osaka) are competitive. Rural placements (inaka) are more likely but include unique experiences and often higher savings rates.
ALT via Dispatch Companies
Many local governments hire ALTs through dispatch companies rather than JET. Common companies: Interac, ALTIA CENTRAL, Heart English School, Borderlink.
Salary
- Base: ¥200,000–250,000/month (varies by company and location)
- Experienced ALTs: ¥230,000–280,000
Benefits vs JET
| Feature | JET | Dispatch ALT |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | Higher | Lower |
| Job security | Higher | Lower |
| Contract management | Direct with BOE | Through company |
| Benefits | Full | Often partial |
| Placement control | Less | Sometimes more negotiable |
| Support system | Strong | Varies by company |
Honest assessment: Dispatch ALT positions pay less than JET for similar work. They’re a viable entry point when JET applications fail or for mid-year placement. Long-term, they offer less stability.
Eikaiwa (Private Language Schools)
Eikaiwa (英会話) are private conversation schools. The major chains:
NOVA
One of Japan’s largest English school chains with 300+ locations.
- Starting salary: ¥215,000–230,000/month
- After 1 year: ¥230,000–250,000
- Benefits: Shakai hoken enrollment, 10 days paid leave
- Hours: ~29.5 hours/week teaching + administrative
- Contract: Annual renewable
NOVA’s model: You teach classes, but NOVA handles scheduling and marketing. Many teachers use NOVA specifically for the structure and nationwide locations — useful if you want to move cities.
ECC
- Starting salary: ¥220,000–240,000/month
- Strong children’s program
- Academic English focus
Berlitz Japan
- Starting salary: ¥250,000–300,000/month
- Business English focus
- Higher hourly rate than NOVA/ECC but more performance-based
Gaba (1-on-1 Instruction)
- Pay: Per lesson (~¥1,500–2,000/lesson)
- Completely flexible scheduling
- No guaranteed income — best as supplementary income
University Positions — The Target
University English instructor positions represent the top of the English teaching career ladder in Japan:
Salary
- Part-time lecturer: ¥3,000–6,000/hour (per class basis — not stable)
- Full-time instructor (専任講師): ¥300,000–500,000/month
- Associate/Full professor (with PhD): ¥400,000–700,000/month
Requirements
- Part-time: Master’s degree in TESOL, linguistics, or related field preferred
- Full-time tenure-track: PhD typically required, publications expected
- Contracts often run April–March (academic year)
Benefits
- Generous paid leave (summers and winters off, unlike year-round eikaiwa)
- Full shakai hoken
- Research budget at larger institutions
- Job security once tenured
The path: Many university instructors start at eikaiwa or ALT, complete a master’s in TESOL or linguistics while in Japan, and move to university teaching. The jump in quality of life is significant.
International Schools — Premium Option
Private international schools (British School in Tokyo, Tokyo International School, Canadian Academy, etc.) pay the highest salaries:
- Teacher (with teaching qualification): ¥300,000–500,000/month
- Senior teacher / head of department: ¥400,000–700,000/month
- Often includes: Housing allowance, flight allowance, pension, full benefits
Requirements: A recognized teaching qualification from your home country (QTS, teaching certificate, etc.) plus subject-specific experience. These positions are competitive but the pay reflects it.
How to Maximize Income as an English Teacher
1. Private Tutoring (Side Income)
Private tutoring pays ¥3,000–10,000/hour versus ¥750–1,000/hour effective rate at eikaiwa. With 10 private students at ¥5,000/hour x 4 sessions/month each, you add ¥200,000/month to your income.
Platforms for finding students: Cafetalk, Hello Teacher, PREPLY, local bulletin boards, word of mouth.
Tax note: Self-employment income over ¥200,000/year must be reported in your Japanese tax return.
2. Test Prep Specialization
IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and Cambridge exam preparation commands premium rates (¥5,000–15,000/hour). Students preparing for study abroad or professional certification pay significantly more than conversation practice students.
3. Business English
Business English clients (corporate training, individual professionals) pay ¥5,000–10,000/hour and are more reliable for consistent scheduling than general conversation students.
4. Online Teaching (Supplementary)
Platforms like Preply, iTalki, and Cambly allow teaching online to international students from Japan. Additional income without visa complications (you’re teaching from Japan, not in Japan’s labor market).
5. Move Up: Master’s → University
A Master’s degree in TESOL or Applied Linguistics (many available online or part-time in Japan) opens the door to university positions paying ¥100,000–200,000/month more than eikaiwa work.
The Career Ceiling Problem
The honest truth: English teaching in Japan has a low salary ceiling for most teachers. The JET and eikaiwa routes plateau at ¥280,000–350,000/month without advancement. Long-term expats who stay in eikaiwa often find their salary hasn’t grown significantly after 5+ years.
The exit strategies:
- Move to university teaching — requires credentials investment
- Transition to corporate Japan — teaching provides visa and Japan experience; pivot to HR, training, or consulting roles
- Teaching + remote work — teach part-time for visa, build foreign-income remote career
- Start a private school — successful English teachers sometimes open their own schools
See our jobs without Japanese guide for alternative career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do English teachers make in Japan? Salaries range from ¥200,000/month for eikaiwa entry-level to ¥500,000+ for international school teachers and university professors. JET participants start at ¥280,000/month and increase annually. Private tutoring can add substantial supplementary income.
Is the JET Programme the best English teaching job in Japan? For starting out, yes — JET offers the best salary, benefits, and support system for new arrivals. The main limitation is placement location (often rural) and that it’s limited to 5 years. Many JETs use it as a launching pad for other careers in Japan.
Can I save money as an English teacher in Japan? Yes, especially outside Tokyo. A JET participant in rural Japan with a housing subsidy and no car costs can realistically save ¥100,000+ per month. In Tokyo on an eikaiwa salary, saving is much harder due to higher rents.
Do English teachers need Japanese to work in Japan? Not for most teaching positions. English teaching jobs explicitly require you to teach in English. However, some Japanese is essential for daily life, dealing with school administration, and career advancement.