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Explore the 2026 Robert Half Salary Guide

Use the links below to explore the guide. Learn what sets our data apart.

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Check out the latest projected salaries for 2026 across six specializations. Choose your professional field

Perks and benefits

Find out how companies are combining salaries with appealing benefits and perks to stay competitive and win top talent. Explore the perks and benefits page

Japan’s compensation trends

Salaries in Japan are rising gradually as companies compete for scarce, high-skill talent. Automation is reshaping roles, while bilingual professionals who combine technical and business expertise command premium pay. Employers are offering higher base salaries, flexible work options, and retention incentives to attract and keep top performers in an increasingly competitive market.
As competition for high-skilled talent intensifies, Japanese firms are proactively raising wages to secure top talent. In 2026, this means candidates have strong bargaining power; for hiring managers, it demands agile and competitive compensation strategies. of Japanese companies raised or plan to raise wages amid talent and inflation pressures.*

of companies say they expect to achieve the same level of wage increases in 2026 as in 2025.**

When asked what mattered most in choosing a workplace, employees unsurprisingly ranked salary highest, followed by doing work they enjoy, work with purpose, and comprehensive benefits. More than half said benefits are a key differentiator, with employees in their twenties and thirties showing a stronger preference for practical, lifestyle-focused perks.*** of employees said salary was the most important factor when choosing their current workplace.***

of employees said comprehensive benefits were a high motivator when choosing an employer.***

The majority of companies remain committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, while women’s workforce participation reaches record levels. As talent shortages and competition for skilled workers intensify, organizations that actively promote inclusion and invest in strong talent pipelines are better positioned to succeed in a competitive, digitally driven market. of Japanese companies remain committed to workplace diversity.****

female labor force participation rate (ages 15-64) in Japan, June 2025.*****

Why should I trust your salary numbers?

Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process that ensures our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on real compensation data for job candidates our recruiters have matched with companies across Japan. The Salary Guide from Robert Half is the original. We’ve been publishing salary forecasts since 1950, and our guide has served as a trusted source for employers, job seekers, industry associations, government and educational institutions, and national and local media.

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Trends and salaries by specialization

Get projected 2026 starting salaries and salary insights in six specializations. Technology Finance and accounting Financial services Business transformation & IT leadership Human resources Supply chain

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Frequently asked questions

The 2026 Salary Guide offers hiring managers and jobseekers insight into salary trends and projected starting salaries across six specializations that Robert Half specializes in. It helps employers with recruitment, retention and workforce planning, while helping candidates with career planning and salary negotiation.
The six specializations covered in the 2026 Japan Robert Half Salary Guide are: Technology Finance and accounting Financial services Business transformation & IT leadership Human resources Supply chain
What is the Robert Half Salary Guide?
What is the Robert Half Salary Guide?
The 2026 Salary Guide offers hiring managers and jobseekers insight into salary trends and projected starting salaries across six specializations that Robert Half specializes in. It helps employers with recruitment, retention and workforce planning, while helping candidates with career planning and salary negotiation.
The six specializations covered in the 2026 Japan Robert Half Salary Guide are: Technology Finance and accounting Financial services Business transformation & IT leadership Human resources Supply chain
The Robert Half Salary Guide is highly accurate. Our salary projections use real compensation data from Robert Half placements nationwide. We provide three salary percentiles because pay varies based on a candidate’s skills, experience and qualifications, and other factors.
How accurate is the Robert Half Salary Guide?
How accurate is the Robert Half Salary Guide?
The Robert Half Salary Guide is highly accurate. Our salary projections use real compensation data from Robert Half placements nationwide. We provide three salary percentiles because pay varies based on a candidate’s skills, experience and qualifications, and other factors.
You should use a salary guide as it enables organizations to benchmark roles competitively, manage budgets and retain talent, while empowering candidates to understand their market value, plan their careers and negotiate confidently.
Why should I use a salary guide? Why are salary guides important?
Why should I use a salary guide? Why are salary guides important?
You should use a salary guide as it enables organizations to benchmark roles competitively, manage budgets and retain talent, while empowering candidates to understand their market value, plan their careers and negotiate confidently.
No. Salaries listed in the guide represent starting salaries only, e.g., pay for someone new to the role. They do not include bonuses or annual merit increases. Trends on perks and benefits are covered separately in the perks and benefits section of the guide.
Do salaries in the Robert Half Salary Guide include bonuses or annual merit increases?
Do salaries in the Robert Half Salary Guide include bonuses or annual merit increases?
No. Salaries listed in the guide represent starting salaries only, e.g., pay for someone new to the role. They do not include bonuses or annual merit increases. Trends on perks and benefits are covered separately in the perks and benefits section of the guide.
The source of the non-salary data in the Salary Guide is based on third-party research. All external data sources are explicitly cited throughout.
What’s the source of the non-salary data in the Salary Guide?
What’s the source of the non-salary data in the Salary Guide?
The source of the non-salary data in the Salary Guide is based on third-party research. All external data sources are explicitly cited throughout.
The 2026 Salary Guide reflects data collected over the past 12–18 months, combining Robert Half’s placements in Japan with real-time market insights. This ensures the figures represent current salary trends while accounting for recent market shifts.
What period does the salary data cover?
What period does the salary data cover?
The 2026 Salary Guide reflects data collected over the past 12–18 months, combining Robert Half’s placements in Japan with real-time market insights. This ensures the figures represent current salary trends while accounting for recent market shifts.
Yes. The guide provides ranges for junior, mid-level, and senior positions where applicable, helping both employers and jobseekers understand market expectations.
Can I see salaries by experience level?
Can I see salaries by experience level?
Yes. The guide provides ranges for junior, mid-level, and senior positions where applicable, helping both employers and jobseekers understand market expectations.
No. The Salary Guide includes both foreign-affiliated (gaishikei) and Japanese (Nikkei) companies, reflecting the full spectrum of the job market in Japan. This allows you to compare pay trends, incentives, and benefits across different employers.
Do the salaries only cover foreign-affiliated (gaishikei) companies?
Do the salaries only cover foreign-affiliated (gaishikei) companies?
No. The Salary Guide includes both foreign-affiliated (gaishikei) and Japanese (Nikkei) companies, reflecting the full spectrum of the job market in Japan. This allows you to compare pay trends, incentives, and benefits across different employers.
The Salary Guide is updated annually to reflect the latest market trends, pay movements, and hiring patterns in Japan.
How often is the Salary Guide updated?
How often is the Salary Guide updated?
The Salary Guide is updated annually to reflect the latest market trends, pay movements, and hiring patterns in Japan.
Absolutely. You can book a walk-through with a dedicated consultant. We’ll walk you through the guide, highlight salary benchmarks most relevant to your business, and share the latest hiring trends and tailored advice to support your talent strategy.
Can I get customized advice for my company/industry?
Can I get customized advice for my company/industry?
Absolutely. You can book a walk-through with a dedicated consultant. We’ll walk you through the guide, highlight salary benchmarks most relevant to your business, and share the latest hiring trends and tailored advice to support your talent strategy.

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The salary benchmarks listed in Robert Half's Salary Guide are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across Japan. The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Company size, industry and the availability of remote work options can influence salaries. Our salaries do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels. Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on third-party research and all external data sources are explicitly cited throughout. Sources: *Jiji Press News. (2025). Record 91.5 pct of Japan firms raise wages in 2025. **Reuters. (2025). November Reuters Corporate Survey: 72% of companies expect 2026 spring wage increases to match 2025 levels; share expecting lower increases declines from last year. ***Benefit One Inc. (2025). Survey of 1,000 full-time employees nationwide: How Japanese workers choose their employers amid labor shortages. ****Reuters.com. (2025). Most Japan firms stay committed to diversity despite US moves, Reuters survey shows.   *****Bank of Japan. (2025). Japan's labor market under demographic decline: Changes in dynamics and macroeconomic implications.