INDUSTRIES AND SALARIES

Which Industries Are Hiring the Most Filipinos — And How Much They Pay

Not all SSW industries are created equal. Some are hiring aggressively right now, while others have fewer openings. Some pay significantly more than others. Here’s the breakdown so you can choose the best path for your situation.

Manufacturing (Highest Demand)

This is the single largest category for Filipino SSW workers in Japan. Factory jobs include assembly lines, machine operation, quality control, food processing, electronics, and automotive parts.

• Average salary: ¥165,000 – ¥200,000/month (₱60,000 – ₱75,000)
• Overtime potential: Factories often offer significant overtime, which can push your monthly earnings to ¥250,000+ (₱95,000+)
• Housing: Many manufacturing companies provide dormitory-style housing for ¥20,000 – ¥30,000/month, which is deducted from your salary. Some provide it free.
• Demand level: Extremely high. Japan’s manufacturing sector is one of the most severely affected by the labor shortage.

Food Service / Hospitality

Restaurants, hotels, and food processing facilities across Japan are desperately looking for workers. This is one of the easiest industries to enter because the skills test is relatively straightforward.

• Average salary: ¥170,000 – ¥210,000/month (₱63,000 – ₱78,000)
• Bonus: The hours in food service often include evening and weekend shifts that come with premium pay
• Best for: Workers who enjoy customer-facing roles and have some kitchen or food handling experience

Nursing Care (Kaigo)

Japan’s elderly population is enormous and growing. The demand for caregivers is almost unlimited. If you have a background in caregiving — or are willing to train — this is one of the most stable and rewarding paths.

• Average salary: ¥180,000 – ¥230,000/month (₱67,000 – ₱85,000)
• Career growth: Nursing care workers have one of the clearest pathways from SSW Type 1 to Type 2, and eventually to permanent residency
• Language requirement: Slightly higher Japanese proficiency is helpful here because you’ll be communicating with elderly patients daily

Construction

Japan is preparing for major infrastructure projects and ongoing disaster recovery. Construction workers are in very high demand, especially those with experience in concrete work, scaffolding, interior finishing, and electrical installation.

• Average salary: ¥185,000 – ¥250,000/month (₱69,000 – ₱93,000)
• Physical requirement: This is demanding physical work. You must be fit and prepared for outdoor conditions.
• Bonus: Construction is one of the 11 fields eligible for SSW Type 2, meaning you can eventually stay in Japan indefinitely

Agriculture

Farms across rural Japan need workers for planting, harvesting, livestock care, and food packaging. While salaries are slightly lower, the cost of living in rural areas is also much lower.

• Average salary: ¥155,000 – ¥180,000/month (₱58,000 – ₱67,000)
• Perks: Rural employers often provide free housing and sometimes free meals
• Lifestyle: If you prefer a quieter life outside the big cities, agriculture offers a unique experience of Japanese countryside living

Other Growing Fields:

• Building Cleaning — ¥160,000 – ¥185,000/month
• Aviation (Airport Ground Handling) — ¥175,000 – ¥210,000/month
• Automotive Repair — ¥170,000 – ¥220,000/month
• Shipbuilding — ¥180,000 – ¥230,000/month

The Japanese government recently announced that the SSW framework is expanding to cover 19 industrial fields, including new categories like logistics warehousing, linen supply, and resource recycling. This means even more job opportunities are opening up in 2026 and beyond.

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