Nursing care (介護 / Kaigo) is one of Japan's largest and fastest-growing Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / 特定技能) fields, driven by Japan's super-aged society and chronic caregiver shortage. Demand for foreign caregivers is high, but the pay structure has unique features that every SSW caregiver should understand before accepting a job offer.
This guide covers everything you need to know about SSW nursing care salaries in Japan in 2026: realistic monthly pay ranges, night shift and qualification allowances, salary by facility type, regional differences, the long-term career path through 介護福祉士 (Certified Care Worker) certification, and the eventual transition to the dedicated 介護 visa with permanent residency potential.
SSW Nursing Care Field Overview
The nursing care (介護) field was added to the SSW system from its launch in 2019. It is overseen jointly by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Immigration Services Agency. Demand for foreign caregivers in Japan is essentially unlimited — Japan needs hundreds of thousands more caregivers in the coming years to meet the needs of its aging population.
SSW Type 1 nursing care work is conducted in facilities such as 特別養護老人ホーム (special elderly care homes), 介護老人保健施設 (geriatric health facilities), and similar long-term care settings. The work involves direct daily personal care for elderly residents (assistance with eating, bathing, mobility), recreational activity support, and basic health monitoring.
Important: Type 1 Only (No SSW Type 2 in Nursing Care)
Nursing care is currently SSW Type 1 only. Unlike construction, food manufacturing, and several other SSW fields that have advanced to Type 2 eligibility, nursing care does not have an SSW Type 2 pathway. This is a critical fact for career planning.
The reason: Japan has designed a different upgrade path for caregivers. Instead of advancing within SSW, qualified caregivers can earn the 介護福祉士 (Certified Care Worker, kaigo fukushishi) national certification — a regulated professional qualification — and then apply to change their visa to the dedicated 介護 visa status. The 介護 visa offers benefits equivalent to (or better than) SSW Type 2: no time limit, family accompaniment allowed, and a clear path to permanent residency.
This means SSW Type 1 nursing care work is structured around the 5-year pathway toward 介護福祉士 qualification, not the field-specific Type 2 exam.
Average Monthly Salary Range
Nursing care has lower base salaries than some industrial SSW fields like construction, but allowances often raise total monthly income substantially. Night shift workers can earn significantly more per shift than day-only workers.
| Status | Monthly Base | With Allowances & Night Shifts |
|---|---|---|
| SSW Type 1, entry-level | ¥175,000–¥200,000 | ¥200,000–¥240,000 |
| SSW Type 1, with 初任者研修 | ¥185,000–¥220,000 | ¥220,000–¥260,000 |
| SSW Type 1, with 実務者研修 + experience | ¥200,000–¥240,000 | ¥240,000–¥290,000 |
| 介護福祉士 (after qualification + 介護 visa) | ¥240,000–¥310,000+ | ¥290,000–¥380,000+ |
Annual income for SSW Type 1 caregivers typically ranges from ¥2.5 million to ¥3.5 million. After earning 介護福祉士 certification and transitioning to 介護 visa status, annual income often reaches ¥3.5 million to ¥4.8 million+.
Salary Structure Breakdown
Understanding the components of nursing care pay helps you compare offers fairly. Two facilities offering the same "base salary" can have very different total take-home depending on shift patterns and allowance structure.
Base salary (基本給)
The fixed monthly salary before allowances. For SSW Type 1 entry-level, this is typically ¥175,000–¥200,000. Many facilities have a small annual base raise (定期昇給) of ¥3,000–¥7,000/month per year.
Night shift allowance (夜勤手当)
Per-shift allowance for working overnight care shifts. Typically ¥4,000–¥8,000 per night shift, depending on the facility. Workers doing 4–5 night shifts per month can add ¥20,000–¥40,000/month to base pay. Some facilities pay higher rates for weekend or holiday night shifts.
Qualification allowance (資格手当)
Tied to professional qualifications you hold:
- 初任者研修 (Initial Care Worker Training): 130-hour course; +¥5,000–¥10,000/month allowance
- 実務者研修 (Practical Care Worker Training): 450-hour course; +¥10,000–¥20,000/month
- 介護福祉士 (Certified Care Worker): National qualification; +¥15,000–¥40,000/month plus visa upgrade eligibility
Long-service allowance (勤続手当)
Annual increase based on years served at the facility. Typically ¥1,000–¥3,000/month per additional year.
Position allowance (役職手当)
For workers promoted to leadership roles (副リーダー, リーダー). Typically ¥5,000–¥30,000/month, available after sufficient experience.
Other common allowances
- 住宅手当 (housing allowance): ¥5,000–¥30,000/month if not provided in-kind
- 通勤手当 (commute allowance): Actual commuting cost, capped at ¥15,000–¥50,000/month
- 食事手当 (meal allowance): Often included in shift work facilities; ¥3,000–¥10,000/month
Salary by Region
Regional variation in nursing care salaries is meaningful but typically smaller than in construction. Major metro areas pay more in absolute terms but accommodation and living costs are also higher.
| Region | Type 1 Monthly Base (Mid-Career) |
|---|---|
| Tokyo / Kanagawa / Osaka | ¥200,000–¥240,000 |
| Other major cities (Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai) | ¥185,000–¥220,000 |
| Smaller cities and rural areas | ¥175,000–¥205,000 |
Many rural facilities offer attractive housing allowances or free dormitory accommodation that substantially improve net take-home, even with lower base salaries.
Salary by Facility Type
The type of care facility you work in affects both pay structure and work characteristics. Choosing the right facility for your priorities (income vs. work intensity vs. learning opportunities) is a key career decision.
| Facility Type | Description | Pay Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 特別養護老人ホーム (特養) | Special elderly care home; long-term care for high-need residents; 24-hour care | High base + many night shifts |
| 介護老人保健施設 (老健) | Geriatric health facility; rehabilitation focus, mid-term stays | Mid-High |
| 介護付き有料老人ホーム | Fee-based elderly care home; fee structure varies by facility | Mid (high in upscale facilities) |
| グループホーム | Small-scale group home for dementia care (5–9 residents) | Mid (smaller facility, less night-shift load) |
| 訪問介護 (ホームヘルパー) | Home care visits; hourly wage model | Hourly ¥1,200–¥2,000 |
| デイサービス | Day service center; day shifts only, no night work | Lower base but predictable hours |
Highest total income: 特別養護老人ホーム or 介護老人保健施設 with multiple night shifts per month.
Best work-life balance: デイサービス (day-only) or upscale 有料老人ホーム.
Best for learning: 介護老人保健施設 (rehab focus) or facilities affiliated with hospitals.
Find a Care Facility That Pays Fairly and Trains Well
TreeGlobalPartners works with care facilities across Japan that pay fair wages, support qualification growth toward 介護福祉士, and care about long-term staff development. Our placement service is completely free for foreign caregivers.
Find a Better Care Job →Career Path: SSW → 介護福祉士 → 介護 Visa
The career trajectory for foreign caregivers in Japan is well-defined and rewards long-term commitment. Each stage opens new opportunities.
Year 1–2: Build foundation as SSW Type 1
Master daily care duties, build practical experience, improve Japanese ability. Many caregivers earn 初任者研修 (Initial Care Worker Training, 130 hours) in their first year. Many employers cover the course cost.
Year 2–3: Earn 実務者研修
Complete 実務者研修 (Practical Care Worker Training, 450 hours). This is required to take the 介護福祉士 national exam. The course can be taken while working, with employer support common at good facilities.
Year 3–4: Pass 介護福祉士 national exam
After 3+ years of practical care experience and completion of 実務者研修, you become eligible to take the 介護福祉士 national exam (held annually). The exam is a multi-section test in Japanese covering care techniques, anatomy, social welfare law, and more.
Year 4–5: Apply for 介護 visa
After passing 介護福祉士, you can apply to change your visa from SSW Type 1 to the dedicated 介護 visa. The 介護 visa has no time limit, allows family members to come, and counts toward permanent residency. Salary typically jumps significantly upon transition.
Year 5+: Long-term career and permanent residency
With 介護福祉士 qualification and 介護 visa status, you can stay in Japan indefinitely, bring family, and work toward permanent residency (typically requires 10 years total residence). Many caregivers progress to leadership roles (リーダー, 主任) or training roles for new staff.
Japanese Language Requirements
Nursing care has the highest Japanese language requirements among SSW fields, because direct daily communication with elderly residents is essential to the work.
Entry requirement for SSW Type 1 nursing care
- JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2 (general Japanese), AND
- 介護日本語評価試験 (Nursing Care Japanese Test, specialized care vocabulary)
For 介護福祉士 national exam pass
The exam is conducted entirely in Japanese with care-specific terminology. Most workers who pass the exam have N3 or higher Japanese ability. Many facilities provide Japanese exam preparation support and study time as part of their training program.
Japanese ability rewards
Workers with N3 or higher Japanese ability often:
- Earn higher base salaries
- Are assigned to more senior duties faster
- Can take on training roles for new staff
- Have a clearer path to 介護福祉士 certification
- Are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions
Red Flags in Nursing Care Job Offers
Red flag #1: Insufficient training program. Good care facilities have a structured training program for new SSW workers covering at least 1–2 weeks of orientation, then mentored shifts before independent work. If a facility expects you to start independent care duties on Day 1 with no training, that's a sign of poor management.
Red flag #2: Unsafe staff-to-resident ratios. Japan has minimum staffing ratios for care facilities, but bad facilities sometimes operate at the minimum or below. Ask: How many residents will I be responsible for during day shifts? During night shifts? A facility with 10+ residents per night shift caregiver is overstaffed for safety.
Red flag #3: No mentor or 指導員 assigned. By regulation, SSW Type 1 caregivers should have a designated mentor in their early period. If the facility cannot name your mentor in advance, that's a warning sign.
Red flag #4: Mandatory unpaid overtime. Care work can spill into "service overtime" (handover meetings, paperwork after shift end). Confirm in writing that all such time is paid. Unpaid mandatory overtime is illegal under Japan's Labor Standards Act.
Red flag #5: No 介護福祉士 path support. Good employers actively support your progression toward 介護福祉士: paid 実務者研修 course time, exam preparation help, financial support for course fees. If an employer expresses no interest in your long-term qualification growth, they are not investing in you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
- SSW Type 1 nursing care workers in Japan typically earn ¥175,000–¥230,000/month base; with night shifts and allowances, total monthly ¥210,000–¥280,000+
- Annual income: ¥2.5M–¥3.5M for SSW Type 1; ¥3.5M–¥4.8M+ after 介護福祉士 certification and 介護 visa transition
- No SSW Type 2 in nursing care — upgrade path is via 介護福祉士 national qualification and 介護 visa
- Salary components: base + night shift allowance (¥4,000–¥8,000/shift) + qualification allowances + long-service + position + housing/commute/meal
- Region matters less than in construction but Tokyo/Osaka pay 10–15% more in absolute terms
- Highest income facilities: 特養 and 老健 with multiple night shifts; best work-life balance: デイサービス day-only
- 5-year career path: Year 1 (基礎) → Year 2 (初任者研修) → Year 3 (実務者研修) → Year 3–4 (介護福祉士 exam) → Year 4–5 (介護 visa)
- Japanese requirements highest among SSW fields: JLPT N4 + 介護日本語評価試験 minimum; N3+ recommended for advancement
- Watch for red flags: insufficient training, unsafe staff ratios, no mentor, unpaid overtime, no 介護福祉士 path support
- TreeGlobalPartners matches foreign caregivers with verified facilities that support qualification growth — free for workers
Nursing care offers a unique career path in Japan: stable demand, a clear 5-year progression to permanent residency-eligible visa status, and the deep meaning of caring for elderly residents in their final years. The key to success is choosing a facility that invests in your training, supports your 介護福祉士 progression, and pays fair allowances. The salary numbers in this guide are your benchmark when evaluating any care facility job offer.
Find a Care Facility That Invests in Your Future
TreeGlobalPartners works with care facilities across Japan that pay fair wages, support your 介護福祉士 progression, and have low turnover. We focus on long-term placements where both worker and facility benefit. Free for all foreign caregivers.
Get Free Care Job Placement Support →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 Health, Labour and Welfare, the 介護福祉士 certification system, and Japan's Labor Standards Act. Actual salaries vary by facility, region, qualifications, and shift patterns. 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.