Salary levels are considered a very important factor in the job market. Industries with high starting salaries and expected salary increases are of great interest to job seekers. However, there are many factors to consider when choosing an industry based solely on high salaries. This article aims to introduce the characteristics and cautions of promising high-paying industries in employment.

First, according to the 'Basic Statistics Survey on Salary Structure' by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the industry with the highest starting salary for four-year university graduates is 'Academic research, professional and technical services', with an annual salary of 2,272,000 yen. Following this are 'Information and communication industry' with 2,181,000 yen and 'Construction industry' with 2,167,000 yen. These industries also ranked high in starting salaries for high school graduates.

'Academic research, professional and technical services' is a field where people with specialized knowledge acquired from universities work, providing various research and development and consulting services. It is important to have specialized knowledge and skills to work in this industry.

The 'Information and communication industry' includes companies that provide data communication and IT services, and it requires sensitivity to the latest technology trends and continuous learning. With the development of new technologies such as 5G, VR/AR, and generative AI, new business opportunities are expanding, making it a promising field. However, it also faces challenges such as cyber security and data privacy.

On the other hand, the 'Construction industry' includes various construction types such as building, civil engineering, and equipment installation. It employs many high school graduates and has a high demand for skilled workers. However, the industry faces issues such as the aging of skilled workers and long working hours, making it necessary to make efforts to improve working conditions.

Looking at the proportion of high-income earners in addition to starting salaries, the industry with the highest proportion of employees earning over 10 million yen per year is the 'Medical and Welfare' sector. This is because the proportion of professionals such as doctors and pharmacists is high. In terms of education level, the proportion of high-income earners among high school graduates was higher than that of university graduates.

If you are looking for high salaries in employment, professional and technical fields may be advantageous. However, simply having a high starting salary does not guarantee high income in the long term. It is also important to build your career through continuous self-development and strengthening your expertise. Also, you should consider the stress and overtime work that comes with high salaries.

Ultimately, finding an industry that suits your aptitude and values will be most important. It is advisable to choose your career path by considering job satisfaction and work-life balance rather than simply chasing money. Salary is important, but it cannot be the sole measure of everything. We hope you can choose an industry that aligns with your goals and values and enjoy a happy work life.