A Big Mac in Japan costs 500 JPY (about $3.08). Here's how long different jobs must work to afford one:
| Job | Time per Big Mac | Pay basis |
|---|---|---|
| Public-school teacher | 3.0 min | 6,131,667 JPY/yr ÷ 602 teaching hrs source (high confidence) |
| Minimum-wage worker | 27 min | min wage 1,125 JPY/hr source (medium confidence) |
| UberX driver | 17 min | net 1,750 JPY/hr source (low confidence) |
The teaching figure is annual public-school salary ÷ annual net teaching (contact) hours — pay per minute of lecturing, not take-home pay. Teachers also spend uncounted time on planning, grading and holidays.
Data updated 2026-08-12. Big Mac prices: The Economist Big Mac Index.
Compare every country: teaching · minimum-wage work · UberX driving.
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