Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Chef vs Plumber salary

In Japan, a chef earns about 4% more than a plumber $70,979 vs $68,137 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is JPY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Skilled Trades
Chef
$70,979/yr
Monthly
$5,915
Hourly
$34
Range
$45,426$102,209
10-yr outlook
+5%
Skilled Trades
Plumber
$68,137/yr
Monthly
$5,678
Hourly
$33
Range
$46,674$94,370
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefPlumber
Entry (10th)$45,426$46,674
25th$58,202$57,406
Median$70,979$68,137
75th$86,594$81,254
Senior (90th)$102,209$94,370

National Japan figures in JPY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chef or plumber earn more in Japan?
A chef earns more, at about ¥11,490,000 per year vs ¥11,030,000 for a plumber — roughly 4% (¥460,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A chef typically earns ¥7,353,600–¥16,545,600, while a plumber earns ¥7,555,600–¥15,276,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chef averages about ¥957,500 and a plumber about ¥919,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a chef earns about ¥7,353,600 while a plumber earns about ¥7,555,600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a chef earns about ¥16,545,600 while a plumber earns about ¥15,276,600 per year.
Are chef and plumber similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.