Waiter: Japan vs South Korea
Side-by-side salary comparison · Estimated based on OECD & BLS data
🇰🇷 South Korea pays 18% more
Japan
JPY
Estimated Salary (USD)
$18,238
per year
Local Currency (JPY)
¥2,717,462
per year
PPP Adjusted
$41,005
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
6,039
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Bottom 48%
South Korea
KRW
Estimated Salary (USD)
$21,495
per year
Local Currency (KRW)
₩28,373,400
per year
PPP Adjusted
$45,588
purchasing power
Big Mac Power
4,369
burgers / year
Global Percentile
Top 45%
Visual Comparison
Salary (USD)
PPP Adjusted (USD)
Big Mac Power (burgers/year)
Key Takeaways
- ●
Waiters in South Korea earn 18% more than in Japan (nominal USD).
- ●
After adjusting for purchasing power (PPP), South Korea actually leads by 11%.
- ●
Using the Big Mac Index, a Waiter's salary buys 1.4x more Big Macs in Japan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays Waiters more: Japan or South Korea?▾
South Korea pays Waiters an estimated $21,495 USD per year, which is 18% more than Japan's estimated $18,238 USD.
What is the PPP-adjusted salary for a Waiter in Japan vs South Korea?▾
The PPP-adjusted salary is $41,005 USD in Japan and $45,588 USD in South Korea. PPP adjustment accounts for cost of living differences between the two countries.
How does the purchasing power compare for Waiters?▾
Using the Big Mac Index, a Waiter in Japan can buy about 6,039 Big Macs per year, while in South Korea it's about 4,369 Big Macs.
Estimated based on OECD & BLS data. Actual salaries vary by experience, company, and region. Data is for informational purposes only.
Sources: BLS OEWS · OECD · World Bank · Big Mac Index