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How to become a Blockchain Engineer

Designs and develops systems and applications that use blockchain, and runs and manages blockchains.

How to become one

The basic design of blockchain was proposed in a paper in 2008, and Bitcoin, which uses blockchain, appeared in 2009. Because the technology is so recent, many people now working as blockchain engineers previously worked on developing other systems. More university and graduate students are now becoming blockchain engineers after internships and similar. No particular qualifications are needed, and many people become blockchain engineers after working on other systems and taking an interest in blockchain. Among graduates, it is common for people who studied computing at university to work on blockchain development as long-term interns and then be hired by that company. People interested in new technology such as blockchain who develop software as students and teach themselves the skills may be recognised for their ability and join development or be put in charge of it. Some are hired by large IT companies as new graduate engineers and then assigned to blockchain development. Blockchain technology is public, and you study this information yourself and build development experience. At first you are given small parts of development, and after 2 or 3 years you become a front-line engineer. You need to take an interest and absorb knowledge on your own initiative, and development is done in teams, so teamwork is also needed. The technology changes every day, and people attend large blockchain gatherings in person to pick up new technology. Gathering information online is also important, but people often attend in person conventions held several times a year in Japan and abroad that draw thousands of people. Development can involve laws such as the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, the Payment Services Act and the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and companies sometimes consult lawyers during development. Companies that handle crypto assets pay very close attention to security. A security flaw or careless action could mean the company losing large amounts of crypto assets.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Blockchain Engineer?

The basic design of blockchain was proposed in a paper in 2008, and Bitcoin, which uses blockchain, appeared in 2009. Because the technology is so recent, many people now working as blockchain engineers previously worked on developing other systems. More university and graduate students are now becoming blockchain engineers after internships and similar. No particular qualifications are needed, and many people become blockchain engineers after working on other systems and taking an interest in blockchain. Among graduates, it is common for people who studied computing at university to work on blockchain development as long-term interns and then be hired by that company. People interested in new technology such as blockchain who develop software as students and teach themselves the skills may be recognised for their ability and join development or be put in charge of it. Some are hired by large IT companies as new graduate engineers and then assigned to blockchain development. Blockchain technology is public, and you study this information yourself and build development experience. At first you are given small parts of development, and after 2 or 3 years you become a front-line engineer. You need to take an interest and absorb knowledge on your own initiative, and development is done in teams, so teamwork is also needed. The technology changes every day, and people attend large blockchain gatherings in person to pick up new technology. Gathering information online is also important, but people often attend in person conventions held several times a year in Japan and abroad that draw thousands of people. Development can involve laws such as the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, the Payment Services Act and the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and companies sometimes consult lawyers during development. Companies that handle crypto assets pay very close attention to security. A security flaw or careless action could mean the company losing large amounts of crypto assets.

How much does a Blockchain Engineer earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥5,784,700 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Software creators, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Blockchain Engineer?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 67% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Blockchain Engineer?

Generative AI could change many tasks in this job, which usually reshapes the work more than it replaces it, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026