Home > Salary > Japan > Medicinal Chemist
A medicinal chemist is a professional who specializes in the design, synthesis, and development of new drugs. They work to identify and create chemical compounds that can be used as potential medicines to treat various diseases and conditions. These chemists are involved in all stages of drug development, from initial research and discovery to preclinical and clinical trials.
Medicinal chemists collaborate with other scientists, such as biologists and pharmacologists, to understand the biological targets and mechanisms of diseases, and then design molecules that can interact with these targets effectively. They use their knowledge of organic chemistry and drug design principles to optimize the potency, selectivity, and safety of potential drug candidates. Additionally, they analyze the structure-activity relationships of compounds to improve their pharmacokinetic properties.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,330,859 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,027,572 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 237,132 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,928 JPY per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 991,426 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 228,791 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,720 JPY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 80,178 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 6,682 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,542 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 39 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,330,859 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,027,572 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 237,132 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,928 JPY per hour
By working as Medicinal Chemist a person can save up to 4,984 USD per month or 59,807 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Japan, see costs of living in Japan.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Medicinal Chemist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Medicinal Chemist salary in Japan
Average Yearly Salary of Medicinal Chemist in Japan is approximately 12,330,859 JPY (80,178 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Medicinal Chemist do?

Skills: Medicinal Chemist, Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Research
Job industry: Pharmaceutical
Job industry: Pharmaceutical
How much does Medicinal Chemist make?
Salary details
How much does Medicinal Chemist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,330,859 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,027,572 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 237,132 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,928 JPY per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 11,897,116 JPYEstimated Monthly Salary: 991,426 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 228,791 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,720 JPY per hour
Medicinal Chemist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 80,178 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 6,682 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,542 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 39 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
Japan, located in East Asia, is an island country consisting of four main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. With a population of approximately 126 million people, it is the 11th most populous country globally. Japan has a land area of around 377,975 square kilometers, making it comparable in size to Germany or Montana in the United States.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 5,998,894 JPY (42,440 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Medicinal Chemist job salary compared to average salary in Japan.
Comparison shows that a person working as Medicinal Chemist in Japan earns on average:
2.06 times the average salary (or 206% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 5,998,894 JPY (42,440 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Medicinal Chemist job salary compared to average salary in Japan.
Comparison shows that a person working as Medicinal Chemist in Japan earns on average:
2.06 times the average salary (or 206% of average salary).
Is Medicinal Chemist a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Medicinal Chemist is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Medicinal Chemist?
High salary for Medicinal Chemist would be somewhere between 13,563,945 JPY and 17,879,746 JPY. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Medicinal Chemist in Japan?
Living in Japan the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,698 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,330,859 JPY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,027,572 JPY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 237,132 JPY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5,928 JPY per hour
By working as Medicinal Chemist a person can save up to 4,984 USD per month or 59,807 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in Japan, see costs of living in Japan.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: China, South Korea, North Korea, Russia. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Medicinal Chemist
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in Japan
(68,080,344 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(56,976,427 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(54,917,308 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(53,051,048 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(53,032,036 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(52,007,323 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
7. Urologist
(51,979,186 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(51,888,641 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(51,874,052 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
(51,756,180 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Department manager retail store (3,918,222 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Program analyst (unspecified type) (5,671,691 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Strategic planning specialist (8,121,344 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Quality improvement manager (7,018,734 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
Information ticketing manager arts (but not cinema) (5,689,895 JPY per year, pre-tax.)
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