Peernovo
Other carrying, cleaning, packaging and related workers

How to become a Factory Labourer

Also called: Factory worker, Factory site worker

Does a range of general work in factories, such as bringing in raw materials, sending out products, cleaning machines and refuelling them, sorting waste and cleaning the site.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start. There is a lot of mid-career hiring, and many people work part-time or casually. Many move between similar jobs in the same industry. Some gain experience at work and move into roles such as machine operation, inspection or office work. After joining there may be training on the work and the workplace. As needed, safety training, points to watch in the workplace and procedures for reporting accidents and emergencies are covered before work starts. The work is simple, but you need to work quickly and efficiently. You stand for long periods, so a certain level of fitness is needed. Patience to keep doing tasks exactly as instructed and care to work safely are also important. Accurate reporting to supervisors is valued.

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Related jobs

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Factory Labourer?

No particular education or qualification is required to start. There is a lot of mid-career hiring, and many people work part-time or casually. Many move between similar jobs in the same industry. Some gain experience at work and move into roles such as machine operation, inspection or office work. After joining there may be training on the work and the workplace. As needed, safety training, points to watch in the workplace and procedures for reporting accidents and emergencies are covered before work starts. The work is simple, but you need to work quickly and efficiently. You stand for long periods, so a certain level of fitness is needed. Patience to keep doing tasks exactly as instructed and care to work safely are also important. Accurate reporting to supervisors is valued.

How much does a Factory Labourer earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥3,536,200 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Carrying, cleaning and packing workers not elsewhere classified, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Factory Labourer?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 14% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Factory Labourer?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, 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