Teach English in Japan

TEFL Jobs In Japan

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL Jobs In Japan

English teachers in Japan typically earn around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 a month at language schools and as assistant language teachers, while the government JET Programme pays approximately ¥4,020,000 a year in the first year, about ¥335,000 a month. International schools and universities pay more, up to around ¥600,000 a month for experienced, qualified teachers. Most visas require a bachelor’s degree.

English teacher salaries in Japan at a glance

Type of job	Typical pay	Notes
JET Programme ALT	About ¥4,020,000 a year in year one, rising to about ¥4,320,000	Government programme, flights covered, outside work not permitted
Dispatch company ALT	Around ¥200,000 to ¥250,000 a month	Placed in state schools by a private company, sometimes reduced during school holidays
Direct hire ALT	Up to around ¥280,000 a month	Employed directly by a local board of education
Eikaiwa (private language school)	Around ¥250,000 a month	Afternoon, evening and weekend work, teaching children and adults
International schools	Around ¥250,000 to ¥600,000 a month	Usually require a teaching licence and experience
Universities	Around ¥270,000 to ¥600,000 a month	Usually require a master’s degree and publications or experience
Business English and private lessons	Around ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 an hour	Often added on top of a main job, where the visa and contract allow

Figures other than JET are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. JET figures are from the official 2026 JET Programme information published by Embassies of Japan.

How much does the JET Programme pay?

According to the official 2026 programme information, JET participants receive approximately ¥4,020,000 a year in the first year, ¥4,140,000 in the second and ¥4,260,000 in the third, with approximately ¥4,320,000 in the fourth and fifth years. That is a significant rise on older figures you may still see quoted online.

JET is the best paid entry level route for most new teachers, and flights are covered, but participants pay their own rent and outside work is not permitted. Applications open once a year, usually in the autumn, and most countries require a bachelor’s degree. Read our guides to how to teach English in Japan for the application process.

What affects an English teacher’s salary in Japan?

Employer type. Government, school board, private company or private school makes the biggest difference, as the table shows.
Location. Tokyo and Osaka often pay a little more but cost much more to live in. Rural placements can pay similar salaries with far lower rent. See which cities pay the highest salaries for English teachers in Japan.
Qualifications. A degree is needed for most visas, a TEFL certificate improves your chances and starting pay, and a teaching licence opens international school posts.
Holiday pay. Some dispatch contracts pay less during school holidays, so check how pay is calculated across the year.
Deductions. Health insurance, pension contributions, income tax and, from the second year, residence tax all come out of gross pay.

Is an English teacher’s salary enough to live on in Japan?

Yes, for most teachers. Outside the biggest cities, a typical salary covers rent, food and transport and leaves room to save, and many JET participants in rural areas save a meaningful amount each year. In central Tokyo, rent takes a much larger share, so teachers there often share accommodation or live further out. Budget for start up costs: many rentals in Japan charge a deposit, key money and agency fees up front, and residence tax arrives in your second year based on your first year’s income.

What do you need to teach English in Japan?

Most work visas for English teachers, including the Instructor and the Specialist in Humanities visas, require a bachelor’s degree, and JET requires one in almost every country. If you do not have a degree, the options are limited: read how to teach English in Japan without a degree. A TEFL certificate is not a legal requirement, but it is widely expected by private employers and strengthens JET applications.

Our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course meets the standard requirement, and the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course is a regulated qualification employers can verify on the Ofqual register.

Teaching in Japan: read next

The full process: how to teach English in Japan: requirements, salary and visas.
Pay by city: which cities in Japan pay English teachers the most.
No degree? Read how to teach English in Japan without a degree.
Comparing East Asia? See our guides to teaching English in South Korea and teaching English in China.
Track JET deadlines in The Hire Wire and compare pay on the TEFL Salary Index.

Get TEFL qualified for Japan

Last updated: 1 October 2026. JET figures are from the official 2026 JET Programme information published by Embassies of Japan. Other pay figures are approximate typical ranges, not quotes or guarantees. Confirm current terms with employers and the official JET Programme before you apply.

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Living costs

Japan becomes a very affordable place to go if you are prepared to leave the capital behind. While it is true that Tokyo has a reputation for being particularly expensive to try and live in the city, there are many locations where you can live very well, especially in smaller towns and cities because the chain schools will pay the same regardless of where you work.

Supermarkets routinely offer good deals on things like seafood, fruits, vegetables, and meat after 8 pm at night. It’s also worth noting that local markets are good choices. If you go out to eat, look for the lunch specials or eat at family restaurants, which are marketed to be more affordable.

Transportation is one of the big problems when it comes to expenses. If you’re not careful, the cost of transportation will increase over time, but your employer is often more than happy to cover costs for travel cards.

If you live in a city area with a tram, or there are local train lines, this is usually the cheapest way to get around. If you try to use the Metro train or a bullet train, you’ll find that you pay a lot more. Trying to rent somewhere in Tokyo is pretty challenging, but it’s a lot cheaper the further you go. Unfortunately, living space is something of a premium, so you may not get access to a large apartment all by yourself.

The cost of living below is taken from Numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living comparison website

Monthly transport pass: $57–$84/£43–£65.50
Utilities: $100–$150/£75–£117
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant: $34–$47/£25.50–£36.50
Health insurance: Cost of a typical visit to a GP: $30/£22.50
Accommodation: $590–$1,280/£443–£998
Cappuccino (regular): $3–$3.50/£2.25–£2.73
A beer in a pub: $3.50–$5.50/£2.63–£4.30

TEFL Jobs In Japan: KEY POINTS

AVERAGE SALARY

¥200,000–300,000 a month, JET about ¥4.02m a year

EDUCATION NEEDED

Prerequisite university degree

TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120 Hour TEFL Certificate

MAIN JOB TYPES

Private & Public Schools

KEY FACTS

Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Popular locations for jobs that involve teaching English as a foreign language include Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
The average salary for EFL teachers: The typical average salary for English as a foreign language teacher begins somewhere in the region of ¥220,000-¥280,000/$1,630–$2,160/£1,230–£1,625per month. The standard rate is often ¥250,000. International education institutions might pay up to ¥600,000/$4,440/£3,360 per month. Freelancers can expect to earn ¥2000-¥6000/$44.40–$46.20/£33.60–£34.80 per hour, depending on qualifications and reputation.
TEFL qualification requirements: The basic requirement for a TEFL qualification is a 120-hour course.
Education requirement: A bachelor's degree is a requirement for obtaining a visa.
Currency: Yen(￥)
Language: Japanese
Previous teaching experience: While previous teaching experience is useful, it is not necessary for most positions.

The average wage that you will make as an English teacher in Japan will depend upon the location. If you don’t have any prior teaching experience, then you can expect to earn anywhere between ¥2.5 million and ¥3.5 million. This equates to anywhere between $21,000 and $31,000 a year. Anybody who has more experience and the relevant qualifications can expect to earn more.

Facts about Japan

LANGUAGE

Japanese

POPULATION

123.1 million

TEFL TEACHERS DEMAND

High

CURRENCY

Japanese yen (¥)

CAPITAL

Tokyo

OUR JAPAN TEFL RATING

3.8/5

TEFL Jobs In Japan: FAQS

What are the basic requirements for being able to teach in Japan?

The individual requirements for being able to teach in Japan will vary depending on where you go. However, the majority of places will expect that you have a clean criminal record and a bachelor’s degree. Most will also ask for the 120-hour class that satisfies you to teach English as a foreign language. Previous teaching experience is also heavily recommended.

Are English teachers in demand in Japan?

English teachers are in high demand in Japan. Those English teachers who are native speakers or have native fluency are often among the highest requested.

Do I need to know Japanese to teach in Japan?

If you want to be able to teach English in Japan, you don’t actually need to speak any Japanese to do it. Many teaching programs will actually provide free classes for teachers to learn as they go.

What kind of money can I make as an English teacher working in Japan?

Most assistant language teachers and eikaiwa teachers in Japan earn around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 a month. The JET Programme pays approximately ¥4,020,000 a year in the first year, rising to about ¥4,320,000 in years four and five. International schools and universities pay up to around ¥600,000 a month for qualified, experienced teachers.

How do I become an English teacher in Japan?

Most teachers start through the JET Programme, which recruits once a year, or through a private eikaiwa or ALT dispatch company, which hire year round. You will usually need a bachelor’s degree for the work visa, and a TEFL certificate strengthens your application. Our guide to how to teach English in Japan walks through each step.