What is the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture? A summary introduction by age group, by industry, and comparison with the national average!
2025-08-29
Jobs in Japan
Osaka Prefecture has the third largest population in Japan, following Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture.
As of June 2025, its population is about 8.7 million, with approximately 4 million households living in Osaka Prefecture.
In this article, we have compiled in detail the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture and the advantages of working in Osaka Prefecture for foreigners who are considering moving there.
Please also refer to the comparison with the national average annual income.
Comparison of the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture and the national average annual income
Let us immediately explain the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture and the national average annual income. If you are considering moving to Osaka Prefecture, please be sure to read until the end.
National average annual income
According to the National Tax Agency data, the national average annual income in Japan has transitioned between 2014 (Heisei 26) and 2023 (Reiwa 5) as follows:
2014: 4.21 million yen
2015: 4.23 million yen
2016: 4.25 million yen
2017: 4.34 million yen
2018: 4.39 million yen
2019: 4.38 million yen
2020: 4.35 million yen
2021: 4.46 million yen
2022: 4.58 million yen
2023: 4.60 million yen
*Reference: National Tax Agency “Survey on Private Sector Salaries” (Figure 9) Transition of average salary and growth rate from the previous year
The latest information is up to 2023, but it can be seen that the national average annual income in Japan has increased by 390,000 yen over the past 10 years.
Average wage in Osaka Prefecture
Next, we will explain the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture.
Since the National Tax Agency does not publish the average annual income by prefecture, we will refer to the “FY2027 Prefectural Wages” published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey is calculated by wages, not annual income, and wages do not include bonuses, etc.
According to this data, the average monthly wage in Osaka Prefecture is 348,000 yen, and when calculated for 12 months, the average annual wage is 4.176 million yen.
Osaka Prefecture is the third highest prefecture nationwide in terms of average monthly wage, and the prefecture with the highest average monthly wage is Tokyo.
Detailed explanation of the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture [by age group and by industry]
In this chapter, we will explain in detail the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture by age group and by industry.
Average annual income in Osaka Prefecture by age group
Please refer to the following for the average annual income in Osaka Prefecture by age group.
20–24 years old: 3.29 million yen
25–29 years old: 4.14 million yen
30–34 years old: 4.81 million yen
35–39 years old: 5.36 million yen
40–44 years old: 5.75 million yen
45–49 years old: 6.21 million yen
50–54 years old: 6.68 million yen
55–59 years old: 6.54 million yen
*Reference: Kyujin Box Salary Navi “Annual income, hourly wage, and salary of jobs in Osaka Prefecture”
It can be seen that from ages 20 to 54, the annual income tends to increase year by year.
However, this data is only an average, and the annual income varies greatly depending on individual skills, the type of job, and the industry of the place of employment.
Average annual income in Osaka Prefecture by industry
We have divided the average annual income not only in Osaka Prefecture but also in Kansai, including Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama Prefectures, by industry and occupation.
If you are thinking of finding employment in Osaka Prefecture, please refer to this when searching for job information.
[Average annual income in Kansai by industry]
Manufacturer: 4.64 million yen
Finance: 4.45 million yen
Construction, plant, real estate: 4.29 million yen
IT, communications: 4.28 million yen
Specialized trading company: 4.19 million yen
General trading company: 4.19 million yen
Medical: 4.14 million yen
Internet, advertising, media: 3.98 million yen
Service: 3.70 million yen
Retail, restaurant: 3.54 million yen
[Average annual income in Kansai by occupation]
Specialized profession (specialized office, audit corporation, consulting firm): 5.31 million yen
Planning and management: 5.23 million yen
Technical (electric, electronic, mechanical): 4.56 million yen
Sales: 4.56 million yen
Technical (IT, communications): 4.45 million yen
Technical (architecture, civil engineering): 4.34 million yen
Specialized profession in finance: 4.14 million yen
Technical (medical, chemical, food): 4.05 million yen
Creative: 3.62 million yen
Clerical and assistant: 3.38 million yen
Sales and service: 3.35 million yen
The industry with the highest average annual income is “Manufacturer,” and the occupation is “Specialized profession (specialized office, audit corporation, consulting firm).”
Also, compared to the survey of the previous year, the industry with the largest increase in average annual income was “Manufacturer” and “Finance,” and the occupation was “Planning and management.”
Advantages of finding employment in Osaka Prefecture
The advantages of deciding to move to Osaka Prefecture and finding employment include the following.
Osaka Prefecture has many job openings
According to a survey conducted by SalesNow Inc. from April 1, 2024 to April 1, 2025, the number of job postings in Osaka Prefecture is about 2 million.
This data shows that in the relevant period, Osaka Prefecture had the second largest number of job postings after Tokyo, which had about 11 million job postings.
Considering that Kanagawa Prefecture, which follows Osaka Prefecture, had 80,000 job postings, it can be said that the number of job postings in Osaka Prefecture is extremely high compared to the national level.
*Source: SalesNow DB (https://salesnow.jp/db)
Also, according to the prefectural effective job opening-to-application ratio clarified by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, the effective job opening-to-application ratio in Osaka Prefecture in January 2025 is 1.07.
Compared to Tokyo’s 1.12 and Kanagawa Prefecture’s 1.11, the job opening-to-application ratio is lower, so please consider that the possibility of obtaining a job offer is higher.
An effective job opening-to-application ratio of 1.0 or higher is called a “seller’s market,” and less than 1.0 is called a “buyer’s market.”
Based on these two pieces of data, it can be seen that Osaka Prefecture has many job postings compared to other prefectures, and the job opening-to-application ratio is relatively low.
Living expenses can be reduced compared to the Tokyo metropolitan area
Osaka Prefecture is the prefecture with the third highest average annual income in the nation, but it has the characteristic of being easier to reduce living expenses compared to the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Among living expenses, the expenditure that shows a particular difference is rent. Let us compare the rent market price between Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, and Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.
| Room layout | Rent market price in Shinjuku Ward | Rent market price in Kita Ward, Osaka City |
| 1R | 104,000 yen | 80,000 yen |
| 1K | 119,000 yen | 70,000 yen |
| 1DK | 152,000 yen | 90,000 yen |
| 1LDK | 199,000 yen | 124,000 yen |
| 2K | 156,000 yen | 102,000 yen |
| 2DK | 157,000 yen | 89,000 yen |
| 2LDK | 294,000 yen | 174,000 yen |
*Ielove Property Search: “Cheap Rent Market Price Ranking” Updated August 1, 2025
Comparing the rent market price in Kita Ward, Osaka City, and Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, even for a single-person 1R there is a difference of about 20,000 yen, and for a 2LDK suitable for family living, there is a difference of about 110,000 yen.
It can be considered that living in the central area of Osaka Prefecture allows living expenses to be reduced compared to living in the central area of Tokyo.
The transportation network is well developed
Osaka Prefecture has a well-developed public transportation system such as railways and buses, making not only commuting but also private travel smooth.
Since many lines are available after midnight, you can return home without problems even if you come home late.
Furthermore, by using the Shinkansen and highway buses, it is easy to travel to other prefectures.
For these reasons, it can be said that you will not feel inconvenienced living in Osaka compared to the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Conclusion
Osaka Prefecture is the prefecture with the third largest population and the third highest average annual income in Japan.
In addition, the number of job postings is second in the nation, and the effective job opening-to-application ratio is relatively low compared to other prefectures with many job postings.
Considering the point that living expenses can be reduced, it can be said that Osaka Prefecture is a prefecture where you can live comfortably while earning an average salary.
If you are considering moving to Osaka Prefecture, please check the average annual income and consider the industry and occupation that suits you.