Construction (建設分野) is one of the largest and most established Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / 特定技能) 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 (建設) field was one of the original SSW industries created in 2019, and was elevated to Type 2 eligibility in 2023. SSW construction work is regulated jointly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (国土交通省) and the Ministry of Justice's Immigration Services Agency.
Following the 2024–2025 framework expansion, SSW construction now covers 19 distinct work categories, ranging from earthworks and formwork to specialized finishing trades. Each category has its own field-specific skills exam (技能評価試験), but most categories share the same baseline visa structure and salary norms.
Average Monthly Salary Range
SSW construction worker pay varies widely based on region, specialization, experience, and certifications. The following ranges reflect typical 2025–2026 market data:
| 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 (each prefecture sets its own; Tokyo's 2025–2026 minimum is around ¥1,170/hour, while lower-cost prefectures are around ¥920/hour). The full prefecture-by-prefecture data is available from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Salary by Specialization (19 Work Categories)
Within SSW construction, your work category affects both base salary and allowance opportunities. Higher-skill or higher-risk categories generally pay more.
| Work Category (Japanese) | English / Description | Typical Pay Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 型枠施工 | Formwork (concrete moulds) | High |
| 鉄筋施工 | Reinforcement bar (rebar) work | High |
| 鉄筋継手 | Rebar joining | High |
| とび | Scaffolding / structural steel erection | High (hazard premium) |
| 建設機械施工 | Construction machinery operation | High (license premium) |
| トンネル推進工 | Tunneling (pipe-jacking) | High (hazard premium) |
| コンクリート圧送 | Concrete pumping | Mid-High |
| 土工 | Earthworks / excavation labor | Mid |
| 屋根ふき | Roofing | Mid |
| 左官 | Plastering | Mid-High (skill premium) |
| 内装仕上げ | Interior finishing | Mid |
| 建築板金 | Building sheet metal work | Mid |
| 建築大工 | Carpentry (building) | Mid-High (skill premium) |
| 配管 | Plumbing | Mid-High |
| 電気通信 | Electrical / telecommunications line work | High |
| 海洋土木工 | Marine civil engineering | High (specialized) |
| 吹付ウレタン断熱 | Sprayed urethane insulation | Mid |
| ウェルポイント施工 | Wellpoint dewatering construction | Mid |
| 表装 | 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. Should be qualified to take Type 2 skills exam. Working toward leadership role.
- SSW Type 2 (post-exam pass): ¥280,000–¥350,000+ base. Can lead teams, train new workers, take on independent project work.
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 (時間外手当): 25% above base for hours over 8/day or 40/week. Construction typically has substantial overtime.
- Late-night allowance (深夜手当): 35% above base for work between 10pm and 5am
- Holiday allowance (休日手当): 35% above base for legal holidays
- Hazard / dangerous work allowance (危険手当): ¥5,000–¥30,000+/month for high-risk specializations like 鳶 (steel erection), tunneling, or electrical line work
- Qualification allowance (資格手当): ¥3,000–¥30,000/month per certification you hold (forklift, crane signaling, arc welding, etc.)
- Long-distance project allowance (出張手当): Daily allowance for projects outside your normal work area
- Housing allowance (住宅手当): ¥10,000–¥50,000/month if not provided in-kind
- Long-service allowance (勤続手当): 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.
- 玉掛け (sling work for crane operations): 2-day course; near-universal value on construction sites; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- フォークリフト運転技能講習: Forklift license; broadly useful; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- 高所作業車運転技能講習: Aerial work platform operation; required for certain trades; +¥5,000–¥15,000/month
- アーク溶接特別教育: Arc welding basic certification; opens welding-related work; +¥10,000–¥30,000/month
- 小型移動式クレーン運転技能講習: Small mobile crane operation; +¥10,000–¥25,000/month
- 技能検定 (3級, 2級): 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
Find a Construction Employer That Pays What You're Worth
TreeGlobalPartners works with verified construction employers across all 19 SSW work categories. We match workers based on experience, certifications, and salary expectations — and our service is completely free for foreign workers.
Find a Better Construction Job →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 | Indefinite (3-year renewals) |
| Family visa | Not allowed | Spouse + minor children allowed |
| Path to permanent residency | Not direct | Years count toward PR |
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 is illegal. 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 is illegal under Japan's Labor Standards Act. Confirm that all overtime is paid and how it's calculated before signing.
Red flag #4: Withheld certifications or licenses. Some bad employers refuse to support or pay for certifications (玉掛け, フォークリフト, etc.) 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 (とび, トンネル推進工, 建設機械施工, 電気通信) pay more than basic earthworks
- Earn certifications: 玉掛け, フォークリフト, 高所作業車, アーク溶接, and 技能検定 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 can match you with verified construction employers across all 19 SSW work categories — free for workers
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.
Find a Verified SSW Construction Employer Through TreeGlobalPartners
If you've decided to look for a better construction job in Japan, TGP can match you with verified employers across all 19 SSW construction categories. We focus on long-term placements with companies that pay fairly and support your certification growth. Free for foreign workers.
Get Free Construction Job Placement →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, and Japan's Labor Standards Act. 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.