When it comes to making a career choice and getting job satisfaction, people are motivated by different factors, such as flexibility, work-life balance, autonomy, learning and development and work environment. Most times, a combination of some of these and good pay is a priority for workers.
How much a worker earns is more critical in times of stifling inflation, which is currently the case in Nigeria and many other countries. In fact, many Nigerians are now relying on side hustles to cope with the rising cost of living in the country.
As in other parts of the world, people earn unequally in Nigeria. To help young graduates and individuals seeking to improve their earnings or change careers make informed decisions, this article discusses the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Nigeria as well as the skills, qualifications and strategies needed to secure them.
The Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Nigeria
Below are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Nigeria:
1. Healthcare Professionals
The healthcare sector is one of the most thriving globally. This is not surprising considering the importance of health and the regular demand for healthcare services by different categories of people of all ages. Medical doctors, surgeons, pharmacists and nurses are among the highest salary earners in Nigeria. The country is said to have just 1 doctor for every 10,000 Nigerians. Despite the need for more medical professionals in Nigeria, the available ones are also leaving the country in droves in search of better opportunities overseas.
Surgeons earn an average of N975,000 monthly which may rise to over N2 million for more experienced surgeons.
Medical doctors earn less, with an average salary of N796, 000 which may rise to N1.5 million.
Regardless of your area of specialization in the healthcare industry, you can advance your career with an MBA in Healthcare Management and assume a leadership role in the private or public sector. An MBA in healthcare management equips you with management principles and leadership skills that qualify you for senior management roles in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, government and intergovernmental agencies.
2. Petroleum Engineers
In spite of calls for the diversification of the Nigerian economy, the oil and gas sector continues to play a dominant role in the national economy, contributing 80% of the country’s budget revenues and 95% to its foreign exchange in 2019.
Therefore, petroleum engineers working with local and multinational oil and gas companies are among the highest salary earners in Nigeria. Petroleum engineers earn approximately N400,000 monthly at the early stage of their careers, N1m mid-career and about 5m at the peak of their careers.
As with other professions, qualifications, skills and experience play a key role in determining what a petroleum engineer earns.
3. Accountants
Accountants are employed by private organizations and government institutions across industries in Nigeria to manage financial and accounting tasks, including those relating to taxation, budgeting, financial risks and financial analysis. They play important roles by giving financial insights that can help organizations make informed decisions and maintain strong financial performance.
The average salary of an accountant in Nigeria is N300,000, which can rise to N500,000 depending on the job role, organization and years of experience. An accountant may later take up roles like Financial Analyst, Senior Accountant, Finance Manager, Internal Auditor, Chief Finance Officer, and many more.
In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, earning a foreign MBA in Finance and Accounting or Financial Management can accelerate your career in accounting by qualifying you for top leadership roles in the field of accounting and finance.
4. Civil Engineers
Local and foreign civil engineering companies are thriving in Nigeria as the federal and state governments spend heavily on infrastructural development. There are several road, bridge, rail and building projects going on simultaneously nationwide, including maintenance contracts. These companies provide jobs for many Nigerians with different educational qualifications. Civil engineering graduates are among the highest-paid professionals in the country, with a salary range of N300,000 to N500,000.
An MBA in Engineering Management will accelerate your career in this field, boost your earning potential and prepare you for leadership roles.
5. Project Managers
Project managers are recruited across industries in Nigeria to plan, coordinate, execute, supervise and deliver projects that meet the expectations of employers and clients in line with allocated budgets and stated timelines. They also maintain communication with clients, management, stakeholders and team members, giving progress reports and implementing adjustments necessary for successful project execution.
Project managers are among the highest-paid professionals in Nigeria. While the average salary of project managers is N500,000, many earn way beyond N700,000. How much you earn can be determined by your experience, the company and your qualifications.
To succeed as a project manager, some of the crucial skills you must have include: leadership, risk management, communication and interpersonal skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, planning and coordination, budgeting, financial management and reporting.
Companies are increasingly demanding the services of software engineers to work on projects relating to web and mobile applications, operating systems, database management, AI and machine learning, gaming, financial services, security and surveillance and networks for improved efficiency, competitiveness and innovation.
Software developers are among the highest salary earners in Nigeria, earning between N300,000 and N500,000 monthly. Experienced software engineers can rise to management positions and earn higher salaries by enrolling in relevant MBA programs.
7. Web Developers
In a bid to achieve business expansion, global visibility and optimize performance, most organizations maintain functional and dynamic websites. In Nigeria, organizations require the services of highly skilled website developers to keep them competitive.
To attract and retain the best talent at a time when many skilled professionals are seeking better opportunities and living conditions overseas, offering competitive salaries is a necessity. For this reason, website developers are among the highest-paid professionals in Nigeria.
The salary range of web developers in the country is between N200,000 and N450,000. More experienced and qualified developers also earn higher salaries.
8. Digital Marketing Manager
Marketing is an essential aspect of a business. Since businesses have gone digital, digital marketing has become an integral part of the marketing strategies of most organizations. Although both digital marketing and traditional marketing have their distinctive features and advantages, organizations allocate a budget for each. However, some products and services are best advertised online and many companies rely mostly on digital marketing to create awareness. For this reason, there is a high demand for digital marketers in Nigeria. And due to the roles they play in the financial performance of organizations, digital marketers are among the highest-paid professionals in Nigeria.
The average salary of a digital marketing manager in Nigeria is N400,000, while many earn above N600,000. How much you earn as a digital marketer may also be influenced by your years of experience, your employer and your qualification.
Not having relevant qualifications can prevent high-performing digital marketers from rising to management roles and boosting their earning potential. If you want to take your career to the next level in this field, an MBA or MA in Marketing can make a whole lot of difference by positioning you for managerial roles.
9. Graphic Designers
A company’s digital marketing strategy is incomplete without the input of highly skilled graphic designers who are able to communicate intended messages clearly and creatively via images and motion graphics. Graphic designers play a key role in content marketing, product design, marketing communications and audience engagement.
Graphic designers earn a decent salary in Nigeria. Depending on the company, years of experience and qualifications, a graphic designer may earn in the range of N150,000 and 500,000. However, graphic designers typically come from diverse academic backgrounds.
10 Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers design, construct, install, supervise and maintain the machines and equipment used in different industries. In addition to having solid knowledge of engineering principles, Mathematics and Physics, highly skilled mechanical engineers can provide creative engineering solutions to complex problems. They also demonstrate research, planning and project management capabilities.
Mechanical engineers are among the well-paid professionals in Nigeria with an average salary of N300,000. More experienced and qualified mechanical engineers earn a lot more and work with the top companies in the country. Obtaining an MBA in Engineering Management or Project Management can drastically increase the earning potential of a mechanical engineer.
Increasing your earning potential
Many of the highest-paying jobs in Nigeria are in the financial, healthcare, oil and gas, engineering and IT sectors. However, what professionals in those sectors earn is determined by a number of factors such as their skills, qualifications, experience and employers.
Most people can increase their earning potential, accelerate their careers and work with the best-paying companies with the right qualifications. At MSBM, we are committed to providing flexible and accredited online business courses that take careers to new heights.
Explore our wide range of courses to achieve your personal, career and business goals without sacrificing your personal commitments and job.
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