Nintendo Ranks Among Top-Paying Companies in Kansai Region as Employee Salaries Surface
New data reveals Nintendo’s competitive compensation structure and impressive employee retention rates.
A recent financial analysis has positioned Nintendo as the second-highest paying company in Japan’s Kansai region, showcasing the gaming giant’s commitment to competitive compensation. The report, published by Diamond Online, reveals that Nintendo employees earn an average of 9,627,000 yen annually, approximately $62,000.
This impressive figure comes alongside Nintendo’s remarkable 98.9% employee retention rate, significantly outperforming the Japanese national average of 70%. The company’s ability to retain talent has been particularly noteworthy, especially considering its evolution from a playing card manufacturer in 1889 to its current status as a gaming industry leader since entering the market in 1977.
The latest salary figures represent a slight 2.3% decrease compared to the previous fiscal year, which analysts at Diamond Online attribute to the company’s reduced net sales in 2024. For context, the only business surpassing Nintendo in compensation within the region is Screen Holdings, a prominent semiconductor manufacturer.
Executive compensation at Nintendo also reflects the company’s strong financial position. In 2023, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa earned 362 million yen ($2.51 million), while legendary game director Shigeru Miyamoto received 292 million yen ($2.02 million).
The recent announcement of the Switch 2 console has sparked optimism about potential salary trends for 2025. The upcoming device is set to feature enhanced specifications, including a larger display, optical sensor technology, and magnetic Joy-Cons. Nintendo plans to share more details about the console during their Nintendo Direct stream scheduled for April 2.
Industry speculation surrounding the Switch 2 suggests compatibility with existing Switch titles and possible collaborations with Xbox. Leaked information points to potential releases including Diablo 4, Fallout 4, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Starfield on the new platform.