One aspect relates to a light-emitting element having a layer forming a resonance mode. The light-emitting element includes a structure body constituted by a substrate and a semiconductor laminate body including a first cladding layer, a second cladding layer, an active layer, and a resonance-mode forming layer including a basic layer and modified refractive index regions. A laser light output region and a metal electrode film are on opposing surfaces of the structure body. The metal electrode film includes a first layer forming ohmic contact with the structure body, a second layer reflecting light from the resonance-mode forming layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer for solder bonding. The third layer has a different composition from the second layer and the fourth layer, and has a lower diffusion degree than the second layer and the fourth layer to that of a solder material.