Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Corporate Attorney vs Lawyer salary

In Japan, a corporate attorney earns about 23% more than a lawyer $180,010 vs $146,158 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
Legal
Corporate Attorney
$180,010/yr
Monthly
$15,001
Hourly
$87
Range
$90,905$288,916
10-yr outlook
+8%
Legal
Lawyer
$146,158/yr
Monthly
$12,180
Hourly
$70
Range
$80,387$226,545
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCorporate AttorneyLawyer
Entry (10th)$90,905$80,387
25th$135,458$113,272
Median$180,010$146,158
75th$234,464$186,351
Senior (90th)$288,916$226,545

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

More Legal comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a corporate attorney or lawyer earn more in Japan?
A corporate attorney earns more, at about ¥29,140,000 per year vs ¥23,660,000 for a lawyer — roughly 23% (¥5,480,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A corporate attorney typically earns ¥14,715,700–¥46,769,700, while a lawyer earns ¥13,013,000–¥36,673,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a corporate attorney averages about ¥2,428,300 and a lawyer about ¥1,971,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a corporate attorney earns about ¥14,715,700 while a lawyer earns about ¥13,013,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a corporate attorney earns about ¥46,769,700 while a lawyer earns about ¥36,673,000 per year.
Are corporate attorney and lawyer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Legal 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.