Construction is one of the largest and most established Specified Skilled Worker fields in Japan, and one of the few currently offering both Type 1 and Type 2 status. With Japan's chronic construction labor shortage and the run-up to major infrastructure projects, demand for foreign construction workers remains high — and the salaries reflect that.
This guide breaks down realistic SSW construction salary expectations in Japan for 2026: monthly pay ranges, regional differences across major work areas, breakdowns by work category, what allowances to expect, the certifications that boost your salary the most, and the pay jump from SSW Type 1 to Type 2.
SSW Construction Field Overview
The construction field was one of the original SSW industries created in 2019 and has been a Type 2-eligible field since the SSW framework's inception (alongside the welding sub-category of shipbuilding). The June 2023 cabinet decision added 9 additional fields to Type 2 eligibility, bringing the total to 11. SSW construction work is regulated jointly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Justice's Immigration Services Agency. Additionally, all SSW construction employers must join JAC, which also administers the skills evaluation tests and operates the Construction Career Up System.
Following the August 2022 cabinet decision, SSW construction was consolidated from 19 sub-categories into 3 broad work classifications: civil engineering (Civil Engineering), building construction (Architecture / Building Construction), and Lifeline/Equipment (Lifeline & Equipment). All construction-related occupations now fall under these three classifications, and JAC administers the unified skills evaluation tests for each. The 19 historical sub-categories listed below remain useful for understanding actual job content and salary differences, but they are no longer the current visa framework categories.
Average Monthly Salary Range
SSW construction worker pay varies widely based on region, specialization, experience, and certifications. The following ranges are practical benchmarks based on recent job offers and market observations as of 2025–2026, and should be treated as approximate figures rather than guaranteed salary levels:
| Status | Monthly Base | With Overtime & Allowances |
|---|---|---|
| SSW Type 1, entry-level (year 1) | ¥200,000–¥240,000 | ¥230,000–¥280,000 |
| SSW Type 1, experienced (year 3+) | ¥240,000–¥280,000 | ¥280,000–¥330,000 |
| SSW Type 2 (after exam pass) | ¥280,000–¥350,000 | ¥330,000–¥420,000+ |
Annual income for SSW Type 1 construction workers typically ranges from ¥2.8 million to ¥4 million, while SSW Type 2 holders often reach ¥4.5 million to ¥5.5 million+ annually with full overtime and allowances.
Salary by Region
Where you work has a substantial impact on base pay. Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama (the Greater Tokyo Area) consistently offer the highest base salaries due to higher minimum wages and stronger demand. Rural prefectures pay 15–25% less in absolute terms, but cost of living is also significantly lower.
| Region | Type 1 Monthly Base (Mid-Career) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo / Kanagawa / Saitama | ¥240,000–¥320,000 | Highest base; abundant overtime; high accommodation costs |
| Osaka / Nagoya / Aichi | ¥220,000–¥290,000 | Major construction markets; balanced cost of living |
| Other major cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Fukuoka, etc.) | ¥210,000–¥270,000 | Stable demand; lower accommodation costs |
| Rural prefectures | ¥190,000–¥240,000 | Lower base but very low cost of living; community-style life |
Always cross-check the offered salary against the prefectural minimum wage for that region. As of the FY2025 minimum wage revision: Tokyo ¥1,226/hour, Kanagawa ¥1,225/hour, Osaka ¥1,177/hour, Saitama ¥1,141/hour. The lowest prefectures (Kochi, Miyazaki, Okinawa) are ¥1,023/hour — all 47 prefectures are now above ¥1,000/hour. The full prefecture-by-prefecture data should be confirmed on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website.
Salary by Specialization (Historical Work Types within the 3 Current Categories)
Within SSW construction's current 3 work classifications, the actual occupation type still affects base salary and allowance opportunities. The 19 historical work types below remain useful for understanding salary differences by occupation, though they are no longer separate visa categories. Higher-skill or higher-risk occupations generally pay more.
| Work Category (Japanese) | English / Description | Typical Pay Tier |
|---|---|---|
| formwork | Formwork (concrete moulds) | High |
| rebar work | Reinforcement bar (rebar) work | High |
| rebar joining | Rebar joining | High |
| scaffolding | Scaffolding / structural steel erection | High (hazard premium) |
| construction machinery operation | Construction machinery operation | High (license premium) |
| tunnel propulsion work | Tunneling (pipe-jacking) | High (hazard premium) |
| concrete pumping | Concrete pumping | Mid-High |
| earthwork | Earthworks / excavation labor | Mid |
| roofing | Roofing | Mid |
| plastering | Plastering | Mid-High (skill premium) |
| interior finishing | Interior finishing | Mid |
| architectural sheet metal | Building sheet metal work | Mid |
| building carpentry | Carpentry (building) | Mid-High (skill premium) |
| plumbing | Plumbing | Mid-High |
| electrical/telecommunications | Electrical / telecommunications line work | High |
| marine civil engineering | Marine civil engineering | High (specialized) |
| urethane spray insulation | Sprayed urethane insulation | Mid |
| insulation work | Thermal / cold insulation work | Mid |
| wallpaper/finishing | Wallpaper / tile finishing | Mid |
Salary by Experience Level
Experience progression in SSW construction follows a relatively predictable curve in well-managed companies:
- Year 1 (entry SSW Type 1): ¥200,000–¥240,000 base. Focus on learning safety, basic procedures, Japanese workplace communication.
- Year 2–3: ¥220,000–¥270,000 base. Begin earning supplementary qualifications. Move into more autonomous work.
- Year 4–5 (final year of Type 1): ¥240,000–¥290,000 base. Begin accumulating supervisory experience tracked via the Construction Career Up System (CCUS) — this is a required component for Type 2 application.
- SSW Type 2 (full requirements): ¥280,000–¥350,000+ base. Requires three things: (1) passing the JAC-administered Construction Field SSW Type 2 Evaluation Test OR holding Skill Test1-level; (2) verifiable foreman/site supervisor experience; (3) employment with a JAC-member employer. Test pass alone is NOT sufficient.
Common Allowances in Construction
Beyond base pay, SSW construction workers can earn substantial additional income through allowances. Always confirm in writing what allowances apply at a job offer:
- Overtime pay: at least 25% above base for hours over 8/day or 40/week. Overtime exceeding 60 hours per month must be paid at 50% above base (applies to all employers since April 2023). Construction typically has substantial overtime.
- Late-night allowance: at least 25% above base for work between 10pm and 5am (stacks with overtime: if late-night work is also overtime, the total premium is 25% + 25% = 50%)
- Holiday allowance: 35% above base for legal holidays
- Hazard / dangerous work allowance: ¥5,000–¥30,000+/month for high-risk specializations like scaffolding (steel erection), tunneling, or electrical line work
- Qualification allowance: ¥3,000–¥30,000/month per certification you hold (forklift, crane signaling, arc welding, etc.)
- Long-distance project allowance: Daily allowance for projects outside your normal work area
- Housing allowance: ¥10,000–¥50,000/month if not provided in-kind
- Long-service allowance: Annual increase tied to years of service at the company
Certifications That Boost Your Salary
Earning Japanese construction certifications is one of the highest-return investments an SSW construction worker can make. Many can be obtained within your first year of employment with study time provided by good employers.
- sling work (sling work for crane operations): 2-day course; near-universal value on construction sites; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- forkliftoperation skills training: Forklift license; broadly useful; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- aerial work platform operationskills training: Aerial work platform operation; required for certain trades; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- arc welding special training: Arc welding basic certification; opens welding-related work; +¥10,000–¥30,000/month
- small mobile crane operation training: Small mobile crane operation; +¥10,000–¥25,000/month
- Skill Test: National skills certification at field-specific levels; significantly boosts long-term pay and is required for SSW Type 2 path
- JLPT N3 or higher: Better Japanese ability is rewarded with higher allowances and faster promotion to leadership
For Foreign Workers Looking to Build Their Career in Japan
TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free for foreign workers — no fees of any kind, no hidden charges. We support your appropriate job change or new employment in Japan with verified employers. Visa applications, status changes, and registered support procedures are handled through our group's affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation, giving you a true one-stop service across the group.
Consult TreeGlobalPartners →SSW Type 1 to Type 2 Pay Jump
Construction is one of the original SSW Type 2 fields, and the pay jump from Type 1 to Type 2 is one of the highest-return decisions in your SSW career.
| Aspect | SSW Type 1 | SSW Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Base monthly salary | ¥200,000–¥280,000 | ¥280,000–¥350,000+ |
| Total annual income (with allowances) | ¥2.8M–¥4M | ¥4.5M–¥5.5M+ |
| Maximum stay | 5 years total (extendable to 6 years in some cases per October 2025 reform) | No total stay limit; renewal in 6-month / 1-year / 2-year / 3-year periods (the October 2025 reform added "2-year" as a new renewal option) |
| Family visa | Not allowed (in principle) | Spouse + minor children may apply for "Dependent" status, subject to individual approval and Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted for any work |
| Path to permanent residency | Type 1 and Technical Intern Training years do NOT count toward the 5-year work-status requirement for PR | Type 2 years count as work-status for the 5-year requirement (PR still requires separate full examination) |
For the full guide to SSW Type 2 eligibility, application steps, and family visa, see our SSW Type 2 Complete Guide.
Red Flags — Construction-Specific Scams to Avoid
Red flag #1: Below-minimum-wage offers disguised as "trainee" pay. Some construction subcontractors try to pay SSW workers below the prefectural minimum wage by labeling them as "trainees" or "assistants". This violates Article 4 of the Minimum Wage Act, punishable by up to ¥500,000 in fines. SSW workers are full employees and must be paid at least minimum wage.
Red flag #2: Subcontracting chain confusion. Construction in Japan often involves multiple layers of subcontractors. Make sure you know exactly which company is your legal employer (the one whose name is on your employment contract) — not just the company at the worksite.
Red flag #3: Mandatory overtime without overtime pay. Some employers expect 60+ hours/week but only pay for 40. This violates Article 37 of Japan's Labor Standards Act (mandatory premium pay for overtime), punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment or ¥300,000 fine. Confirm that all overtime is paid and how it's calculated before signing.
⚠️ Critical legal obligation for SSW workers changing employers: Within 14 days after your employment contract ends, you must personally file a "Notification Concerning the Affiliated Organization" with the Immigration Services Agency under Article 19-16 of the Immigration Control Act. Failure to file can negatively affect future visa renewals or status changes.
Red flag #4: Withheld certifications or licenses. Some bad employers refuse to support or pay for certifications to keep workers locked into low-skilled, low-pay roles. A good employer actively supports your qualification growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
- SSW Type 1 construction workers in Japan typically earn ¥200,000–¥280,000/month base; with overtime and allowances, ¥280,000–¥320,000+ is common
- SSW Type 2 construction workers earn ¥280,000–¥350,000+ base; total income often reaches ¥4.5–5.5M annually
- Region matters: Tokyo Metropolitan area pays 20–30% more than rural prefectures, but cost of living is also higher
- Specialization matters: high-skill or high-risk categories pay more than basic earthworks
- Earn certifications: sling work, forklift, aerial work platform, arc welding, and Skill Test each add ¥5,000–¥30,000/month
- Common allowances: overtime, late-night, holiday, hazard, qualification, long-distance project, housing, long-service
- Type 1 to Type 2 jump: ¥40,000–¥80,000/month base increase plus removal of 5-year cap and family visa eligibility
- Watch for red flags: below-minimum-wage "trainee" pay, subcontracting confusion, unpaid mandatory overtime, withheld certification support
- Cross-check offers against the prefectural minimum wage and against the field/specialization market data
- TreeGlobalPartners cannot legally place construction workers under Article 32-11 of the Employment Security Act. However, our affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation provides visa application, registered support, and JAC-related procedure assistance for SSW construction workers with a one-stop group service
Construction remains one of Japan's strongest fields for SSW workers, with clear pay progression, abundant overtime, valuable certifications, and an established Type 1 to Type 2 path. The right employer makes a huge difference — both in immediate pay and in long-term career trajectory. Use this salary data as your benchmark when evaluating any construction job offer.
For Foreign Workers Looking to Build Their Career in Japan
TreeGlobalPartners' service is completely free for foreign workers — no fees of any kind, no hidden charges. We support your appropriate job change or new employment in Japan with verified employers. Visa applications, status changes, and registered support procedures are handled through our group's affiliated Tree Administrative Scrivener Corporation, giving you a true one-stop service across the group.
Consult TreeGlobalPartners →Disclaimer: Information in this article is accurate as of May 2026 and is based on industry salary surveys, the SSW framework as administered by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (including the August 2022 work category consolidation from 19 to 3 classifications and the October 2025 SSW reform), Japan's Labor Standards Act, the Minimum Wage Act, the Employment Security Act (which under Article 32-11 prohibits paid placement of construction workers), and related regulations. The forthcoming Ikusei Shuro system, effective from April 2027, is expected to affect construction-sector foreign worker pipelines. Actual salaries vary by employer, region, work category, certifications, and economic conditions. Always verify the specific terms of any job offer in writing before accepting. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute employment, legal, or immigration advice.