Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Physician vs Registered Nurse salary

In Japan, a physician earns about 144% more than a registered nurse $135,965 vs $55,720 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
Healthcare
Physician
$135,965/yr
Monthly
$11,331
Hourly
$65
Range
$87,018$195,790
10-yr outlook
+3%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$55,720/yr
Monthly
$4,644
Hourly
$27
Range
$40,676$74,108
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$87,018$40,676
25th$111,491$48,198
Median$135,965$55,720
75th$165,878$64,914
Senior (90th)$195,790$74,108

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician or registered nurse earn more in Japan?
A physician earns more, at about ¥22,010,000 per year vs ¥9,020,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 144% (¥12,990,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A physician typically earns ¥14,086,400–¥31,694,400, while a registered nurse earns ¥6,584,600–¥11,996,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician averages about ¥1,834,200 and a registered nurse about ¥751,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a physician earns about ¥14,086,400 while a registered nurse earns about ¥6,584,600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a physician earns about ¥31,694,400 while a registered nurse earns about ¥11,996,600 per year.
Are physician and registered nurse similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare 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.