Scheduled monthly wages in Tokyo rise from ¥266,200 for ages 20–24 to ¥490,400 for ages 55–59, then fall to ¥395,300 at ages 60–64. The curve reflects Japan's largest concentration of headquarters and professional jobs, while also masking major differences by occupation and location within Tokyo itself.
Scheduled monthly wages in Tokyo by age (2023, men and women combined)
| Age group | Scheduled monthly wages | Change from previous age group |
|---|---|---|
| 20–24 | ¥266,200 | — |
| 25–29 | ¥315,300 | +¥49,100 |
| 30–34 | ¥355,200 | +¥39,900 |
| 35–39 | ¥401,000 | +¥45,800 |
| 40–44 | ¥425,700 | +¥24,700 |
| 45–49 | ¥452,900 | +¥27,200 |
| 50–54 | ¥465,400 | +¥12,500 |
| 55–59 | ¥490,400 | +¥25,000 |
| 60–64 | ¥395,300 | -¥95,100 |
| All ages | ¥397,000 | — |
Tokyo's wage curve rises by ¥224,200 through ages 55–59
From ages 20–24 through 30–34, wages increase by roughly ¥40,000–¥50,000 with each five-year age band. They pass ¥400,000 at ages 35–39 and reach ¥490,400 at ages 55–59. The difference from the early 20s is ¥224,200 per month.
At ages 60–64, however, wages fall to ¥395,300, down ¥95,100 from the previous age group. Across all ages, men average ¥441,300 and women ¥322,500, showing that differences in gender, occupation, and position are layered on top of the age pattern.
Reference figures by gender
| Group | Men | Women | Women ÷ men |
|---|---|---|---|
| All ages | ¥441,300 | ¥322,500 | 73.1% |
| 20–24 | ¥280,200 | ¥252,900 | 90.3% |
| 25–29 | ¥335,000 | ¥292,000 | 87.2% |
| 35–39 | ¥430,400 | ¥345,500 | 80.3% |
| 50–54 | ¥511,600 | ¥370,700 | 72.5% |
| 55–59 | ¥557,500 | ¥353,400 | 63.4% |
Among the reference values shown here, women's wages are 90.3% of men's at ages 20–24 and 63.4% at ages 55–59.
Headquarters functions in Chiyoda, Minato, and Chuo lift wages among middle-aged and older workers
Chiyoda, Minato, and Chuo wards contain dense concentrations of trading companies, finance, major electronics companies, advertising firms, foreign corporations, and headquarters functions, while Shibuya and Shinagawa have large bases of IT, business development, and specialist jobs. Because many workers in their 30s through 50s progress into management and highly specialized positions, Tokyo's wage curve continues to rise through the late 50s.
However, the all-age Tokyo average of ¥397,000 is not a typical salary for every Tokyo resident. Areas such as Adachi, Katsushika, and Sumida have many small businesses and local service jobs, while Hachioji, Tachikawa, and Machida in the Tama area are also part of Tokyo. The survey is workplace-based, so people who live in Saitama, Chiba, or Kanagawa and commute into Tokyo are included in Tokyo's wage figures. Tokyo's high average reflects the concentration of high-paying jobs at Tokyo workplaces, not the affluence of everyone who lives in the metropolis.
How to read these figures
These figures are scheduled monthly wages and do not include bonuses or overtime pay. They are averages across all industries and both sexes, so the table alone cannot separate differences in occupational mix, company size, or tenure.
Conclusion: Tokyo's high wages reflect a deep headquarters-based career structure that extends into the 50s
A major reason Tokyo's wages are high is the large number of headquarters managers and specialists whose pay continues to rise into their 50s. Even in Tokyo, however, wages fall by ¥95,100 in the early 60s as reemployment and other employment changes create a clear step down.
- Ages 20–24: ¥266,200
- Ages 55–59: ¥490,400, the highest among the age groups shown
- Ages 60–64: ¥395,300
- Tokyo's average is a labor-market figure shaped by people working in the metropolitan core, not a typical salary for all Tokyo residents
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2023)
📊 Analysis notes
- Statistics used: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Basic Survey on Wage Structure (e-Stat table ID: 0003426933, view on e-Stat)
- Area covered: Tokyo Metropolis
- Reference year: 2023
- Data retrieved: June 6, 2026
- Note: The article centers on values published in the official statistics. Interpretation of the background may also involve factors not directly shown in the table, such as industry composition, company-size composition, and occupational mix, so the published figures should be distinguished from contextual interpretation.
Figures in the table were organized from the statistical data above.