---
source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan)
url: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/itiran/roudou/monthly/r08/2602p/2602p.html
document_type: pdf
date_retrieved: 2026-04-08
period: February 2026
parent_publication: Monthly Labour Survey (毎月勤労統計調査)
indicators_covered: [Average Cash Earnings YoY, Overtime Pay YoY]
group_ids: [402314, 401634]
---

# Monthly Labour Survey — February 2026

**Release Date:** 8 April 2026  
**Source:** Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省)  
**Survey:** 毎月勤労統計調査 (Monthly Labour Survey)

## Key Findings

- **Average Cash Earnings YoY (現金給与総額):** +3.3% (5+ employee firms)
- **Overtime Pay YoY (所定外給与):** +3.3% (included in Total Cash Earnings)

Both indicators show continued positive growth, with cash earnings marking 50 consecutive months of year-on-year increases.

## Detailed Results

### 1. Nominal Wage Growth (One Employee Average)

**All employees (5+ employee firms):**

- Total Cash Earnings: ¥298,341 (+3.3% YoY) — *50 consecutive months positive*
- Scheduled Cash Earnings (きまって支給する給与): ¥289,288 (+3.3% YoY) — *52 consecutive months positive*
- Regular Earnings (所定内給与): ¥269,154 (+3.3% YoY) — *52 consecutive months positive*
- Special Cash Earnings (特別に支払われた給与): ¥9,053 (+7.1% YoY)

**Regular employees (General workers):**

- Total Cash Earnings: ¥387,125 (+3.9% YoY) — *59 consecutive months positive*
- Regular Earnings (所定内給与): ¥346,098 (+3.7% YoY) — *61 consecutive months positive*

**Part-time workers:**

- Hourly earnings (所定内給与): ¥1,443 (+4.2% YoY) — *56 consecutive months positive*

### 2. Real Wage Index (2020 average = 100)

**Adjusted by CPI excluding imputed rent (持家の帰属家賃を除く総合):**

- Total Cash Earnings index: 82.0 (+1.9% YoY) — *2 consecutive months positive*
- Reference: CPI (excluding imputed rent) +1.4% YoY

**Adjusted by general CPI (総合):**

- Total Cash Earnings index: 83.5 (+2.0% YoY) — *3 consecutive months positive*
- Reference: General CPI +1.3% YoY

### 3. Year-end Bonus (February release)

- Average bonus per employee (5+ employee firms): ¥424,889 (+2.8% YoY)
- Average bonus (30+ employee firms): ¥490,695 (+2.6% YoY)

## Notes

1. A partial sample replacement was conducted in January 2026. Comparing pre- and post-replacement results shows a discontinuity of -¥1,582 (-0.5%) in Total Cash Earnings and -¥801 (-0.3%) in Scheduled Cash Earnings.

2. These are preliminary figures and may be revised in the final report.

3. Additional survey notes and usage guidelines are available on the Ministry's website: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/30-1c.html#02

## Terminology

- **Total Cash Earnings (現金給与総額):** All compensation paid in cash (wages, salaries, allowances, bonuses) before deductions (tax, social insurance, union dues). Sum of Scheduled Cash Earnings and Special Cash Earnings.
- **Scheduled Cash Earnings (きまって支給する給与):** Regular compensation paid according to predetermined conditions (basic salary, family allowance, overtime pay).
- **Regular Earnings (所定内給与):** Portion of Scheduled Cash Earnings excluding overtime.
- **Overtime Earnings (所定外給与):** Compensation for hours worked outside scheduled hours, including holiday and night work premiums.
- **Special Cash Earnings (特別に支払われた給与):** Irregular or non-periodic payments (e.g., seasonal bonuses, irregular allowances, adjustments).