Head of Design Salary in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo's tech sector rewards Head of Design professionals with a median salary of ¥8 million. The median salary is ¥8 million annually. That figure reflects current market conditions. Seasoned leaders negotiate bonuses that push total earnings above the median.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥6,500,000 to ¥7,800,000
Average (per year)
¥7,175,000
Entry-level positions in Machida involve work for consumer electronics and SaaS firms.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥7,900,000 to ¥9,750,000
Average (per year)
¥8,800,000
Mid-level managers in Machida work with IT subsidiaries.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥9,850,000 to ¥12,500,000
Average (per year)
¥11,200,000
Senior design leads manage cross‑functional teams for regional businesses and satellite offices.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
¥12,600,000+
Principal-level roles exist in Machida across multiple industries.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
¥3500 - ¥4700
per hour
Mid-level
¥4750 - ¥6400
per hour
Senior
¥6400 - ¥8650
per hour
Tokyo's median exceeds the Japan-wide average by roughly ¥2 million. Salaries outside the capital are lower than in Tokyo for comparable roles.