“How much does a nurse, accountant or software developer earn in Nigeria?” It is one of the most searched money questions in the country, and one of the worst answered. Many websites publish neat tables of “average salaries” with no source, no date and no explanation of whether the figure is monthly or yearly, entry level or senior, Lagos or Kano. This guide takes a different approach. We share only salary figures that come from official, checkable sources, and then give you a reliable method to find the real pay range for any profession yourself.
Why most “average salary” lists mislead
- No source. If a figure has no named survey, government scale or dataset behind it, treat it as a guess.
- Out of date. With high inflation and naira movements since 2023, a 2021 figure tells you little about 2026.
- Averages hide spread. A few very high earners pull an average up. The median (middle value) is usually more useful.
- Sector differences. An accountant at a multinational, a mid-size firm, a state ministry and a small business can earn very different amounts.
- Gross vs net. Some sources quote gross pay; others quote take-home after PAYE, pension and other deductions.
Figures we can verify
National minimum wage: ₦70,000 a month
The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 raised the minimum wage to ₦70,000 a month. It is the legal floor for covered employers. Under the 2026 tax rules, workers earning the minimum wage or less are not liable to PAYE (PwC).
NYSC allowance: ₦77,000 a month
Corps members receive a federal allowance of ₦77,000 a month. We cover how to budget it in our NYSC allowance guide.
Public sector salary scales
Federal and state employees are paid on published salary structures, such as CONPSS for the civil service, CONMESS for doctors, CONHESS for other health workers and CONUASS for university staff. Each structure lists pay by grade level and step. These are the most transparent salary figures in Nigeria, because they are set by government circulars from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. If you are researching pay for a public sector role, find the current circular for that structure rather than relying on a blog table, because adjustments are announced periodically.
Why we do not publish a profession table
We could not find a recent, official, nationwide dataset that reports private sector salaries by profession in Nigeria with a clear methodology. Rather than invent figures, we explain how to build your own estimate. That estimate will be more accurate for your city, experience level and sector than any national average.
A five-source method to find real pay for any role
1. Job adverts that list salary ranges
Some Nigerian job boards and LinkedIn postings include a salary range. Collect at least 10 adverts for the same job title and experience level in your city. Record: title, company type, location, years of experience required, and the range. Note whether the figure is monthly or annual, and gross or net.
2. Salary-sharing platforms
Sites such as Glassdoor allow employees to share pay anonymously by company. Coverage for Nigerian firms is uneven, and entries can be old, so check the dates and the number of reports behind each figure. A figure based on two reports is a hint, not a fact.
3. Recruiters and HR professionals
Recruiters see offers every week. Ask, “What range are you seeing for a mid-level [role] in Lagos right now?” Most will give a range even if they will not name clients.
4. Professional bodies and unions
Bodies such as ICAN, NSE, NMCN-linked associations or the Nigerian Bar Association sometimes publish remuneration guidance, or members discuss pay at events. Union collective agreements also set pay in some sectors.
5. People in the role
Ask three to five people currently doing the job, at different companies, for a range rather than an exact salary: “Would you say entry level here is closer to ₦150k or ₦300k?” People answer ranges more comfortably.
Turning your research into a usable range
- Standardise. Convert everything to monthly gross naira.
- Remove outliers. Drop the single highest and lowest figure if they are far from the rest.
- Find the middle. Sort the figures and take the median.
- Build a range. Use the 25th and 75th percentile (roughly, the figure a quarter of the way up and three quarters of the way up your sorted list).
- Adjust for context. Lagos and Abuja typically pay more than smaller cities; multinationals, banks, oil and gas, and tech firms often pay more than small local businesses. Adjust using your own evidence.
- Date it. Write the month you collected the data. Revisit it every six to twelve months.
Template you can copy
| Source | Company type | City | Experience | Monthly gross (₦) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job ad | Bank | Lagos | 2–3 yrs | (fill in) | (fill in) |
| Recruiter | FMCG | Lagos | 2–3 yrs | (fill in) | (fill in) |
| Peer | Fintech | Lagos | 3 yrs | (fill in) | (fill in) |
Look beyond the headline salary
Two offers with the same gross pay can be very different in value. Compare:
- Pension: the employer’s minimum is 10% of monthly emoluments under the Pension Reform Act 2014; some employers pay more. See our pension guide.
- HMO cover for you and your family.
- 13th month and bonuses, and whether they are contractual. See our 13th month guide.
- Transport, remote days or staff bus, which can save tens of thousands of naira a month.
- Leave allowance, training budget and promotion path.
Gross to take-home
Once you have a gross range, estimate take-home pay. Subtract 8% pension, any NHF contribution, and PAYE calculated with our PAYE guide. Our payslip guide shows each deduction. The net figure is what matters for your budget.
Using your range in a negotiation
A researched range is your strongest negotiation tool. Aim your ask at or slightly above the median for your experience, and justify it with skills and results. Our salary negotiation guide has scripts. A strong, ATS-friendly CV also helps you get interviews at better-paying employers; the CV Templates Pack includes three ready-made layouts.
Common research mistakes
- Mixing monthly and annual figures.
- Comparing Lagos and smaller-city salaries as if they were the same market.
- Relying on one friend’s salary as “the” rate.
- Ignoring benefits, which can be worth a large share of the package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Nigeria?
₦70,000 a month, under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
Where can I find government salary scales?
Look for the current circulars on structures like CONPSS, CONMESS or CONHESS, issued through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and relevant ministries. Use the latest circular, since adjustments are made periodically.
Are Glassdoor salaries accurate for Nigeria?
They can be a useful hint, but check how many reports a figure is based on and how recent they are.
Should I compare salaries in dollars?
For local jobs paid in naira, compare in naira and against your cost of living. For remote roles paid in foreign currency, see our remote jobs guide.
How often should I research my market rate?
At least once a year, and before any appraisal, promotion discussion or job change.
This guide is general information. We only quote figures we could verify from the sources named above. Salary levels change quickly, so always check the date of any figure you rely on.
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