I was offered a teaching job post-JET program. I currently live in the countryside and make more than they’re offering, but I’m wondering whether it’s worth it just to renew my visa. Do you think 300,000/month in Tokyo is doable?
Sure, 300,000 is a good deal working in Tokyo. But, unlike JET, your salary is likely never going to go up too far from that. Probably something like 340,000 or so would be the max working at an agency/dispatch. Direct-hire at a top private school you could perhaps one day see 5M if you’re incredibly lucky. If your goal is to study/gain credentials while working at a dispatch, or use the money to obtain those credentials, I think taking a job and coming to Tokyo makes sense. If you’re taking any chance to move from the countryside to get to Tokyo without really thinking about future employment, that’s probably not such a great idea. If you work ~5-10 years in the 300,000 salary range, well, that’s probably the salary you’ll be on for the rest of your life in Japan, and likely with short-term 1 year contracts. Only you can decide if that’s the right choice for you. tl;dr: think about what you’re going to do past getting that 300,000 job unless you’re content living in tiny apartment in central tokyo, or fighting for your life on 1hr commutes
I had a similar salary in central Tokyo and was able to both live and pay for graduate school, which allowed me to move out of the situation.
The job I had was 3 full working days and two half working days per week, had paid training, and gave about two months of paid holiday (besides weekends) per year. My salary went up by about ¥10,000 per month each year.
I was able to visit family every couple of years, but would not have been able to afford a hotel or rental car anywhere. I also didn’t drink or have any expensive hobbies.
Note, however, that I was in this position 30 years ago, which means that prices were somewhat lower and that I didn’t have the expenses of a smartphone or things like gym memberships.
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Sure, 300,000 is a good deal working in Tokyo. But, unlike JET, your salary is likely never going to go up too far from that. Probably something like 340,000 or so would be the max working at an agency/dispatch. Direct-hire at a top private school you could perhaps one day see 5M if you’re incredibly lucky. If your goal is to study/gain credentials while working at a dispatch, or use the money to obtain those credentials, I think taking a job and coming to Tokyo makes sense. If you’re taking any chance to move from the countryside to get to Tokyo without really thinking about future employment, that’s probably not such a great idea. If you work ~5-10 years in the 300,000 salary range, well, that’s probably the salary you’ll be on for the rest of your life in Japan, and likely with short-term 1 year contracts. Only you can decide if that’s the right choice for you. tl;dr: think about what you’re going to do past getting that 300,000 job unless you’re content living in tiny apartment in central tokyo, or fighting for your life on 1hr commutes
I had a similar salary in central Tokyo and was able to both live and pay for graduate school, which allowed me to move out of the situation.
The job I had was 3 full working days and two half working days per week, had paid training, and gave about two months of paid holiday (besides weekends) per year. My salary went up by about ¥10,000 per month each year.
I was able to visit family every couple of years, but would not have been able to afford a hotel or rental car anywhere. I also didn’t drink or have any expensive hobbies.
Note, however, that I was in this position 30 years ago, which means that prices were somewhat lower and that I didn’t have the expenses of a smartphone or things like gym memberships.