11 Highest Paying Jobs in Nigeria 2020

There’s no doubt that salaries and wages differ greatly from one country to another, and even within the same country, but some jobs pay more all over the world.

This piece will take a big dog at some of the top paying jobs in Nigeria, however in the process of  compiling our list, we compared average salaries in Nigeria but then we’ve also left out the big paying gigs like being a celebrity or sports star, because they’re not really jobs available to the average person. All salaries in Naira.

Looking for a well paying regular job? Jobs.delon.ng has been able to identify the highest-paying regular and common jobs for 2019 to 2020 from reports by users with 1-2 years of experience in different job fields. It is only normal for job-seekers and graduates seeking  jobs to be interested in opportunities with the highest earning potential. Even though one’s income might increase with time, it is also “not bad” to begin with high pay.

Everyone wants to be successful, and knowing the right career path to take is very important.

While some Nigerians earn just a little above the minimum wage, there are some jobs that pay far above the minimum wage on a monthly basis if one has the required skills and certifications.

However before we take a look into the various top paying jobs in Nigeria,let’s examine why jobs pay more than other, that’s reasons for the difference in job payment or wages/salary structure

Why Workers in Some Occupations Are Better Paid Than Those in the Other Occupations?

1.Wage Determination:

The key factors that determine the amount of pay received by workers are the demand for and supply of their labour. Other influencing factors include the relative bargaining power of employers and workers, government policies, public opinion and discrimination.

2. Demand and Supply:

The higher the demand for and the lower the supply of workers in an occupation, the higher the pay is likely to be. Fig. 1 shows the markets for doctors and for cleaners.

The supply of doctors is low, relative to demand for their services. There is only a limited number of people with requisite qualifications and the willingness and ability to undertake a long period of challenging training to become doctors.

It might also be expected that the supply of cleaners would be low and their pay high, as few people would want to work as cleaners. Cleaning is not a particularly interesting job as it can involve unsociable hours, not very pleasant working conditions and does not usually offer good career prospects.

The supply of cleaners, nevertheless, is often high relative to their demand. This is because although some people may not be keen to work as cleaners, they do so because the job does not require any qualifications or special skills and only a minimum amount of training is sufficient. This often results in the supply of cleaners being high relative to their demand.

Unskilled workers are generally paid less than skilled workers. Demand for skilled workers is high whilst their supply is low. There are two main influences on the demand for workers. One is the amount of output they can produce and the other is the price, for which that output can be sold for.

3.Role of Trade Union

Wages are likely to be higher in occupations where workers have strong bargaining power relative to employers. This is more likely to be the case if most of the workers are members of a trade union or professional organisation which can bargain collectively on their behalf.

Most doctors and lawyers, for instance, belong to their professional organisation which represents their interests. This bargaining position is strengthened by the knowledge that they would be difficult to replace with other workers and any industrial action taken by them would have serious consequences. In contrast, most cleaners and waiters do not belong to a workers’ organisation.

Their bargaining strength is further reduced by the fact that they are usually widely dispersed and hence are not organised as a strong union. Also, they can be replaced by other workers relatively easily. Public sector workers in many countries, including the UK and India, are more likely to belong to a trade union or professional organisation than private sector workers.

4. Period of training: some workers spend more years to acquire their training and improve in skills than others and therefore they are rewarded more than their counterparts. For instance, medical doctors and engineers spend more years in their training than typist and clerks.

5. The amount spent in the course of training: those who spend more amount in the course of their training and are rewarded more in line with what they spent during training.

6. The skills require at work: while it requires special skill acquired through training to be a doctor or an engineer, it does not need any special skill to be a messenger or a cleaner. Hence doctors and engineers are paid for more than messengers and cleaners.

7.The risk involved in a job: These jobs trhat involves more risk attract higher pay of workers that risk their lives, like pilots are paid higher than their counterparts in less dangerous works like motor driving.

8.Sex consideration: In some societies were there is descrimination, men have rewards more their women counterparts. These male have this belief that men work more harder than women and therefore should be paid more.

Based on research from online platforms like Jobs.delon.ng, and from insiders in these job fields, we have come up with a list of top ten careers that pay the most in Nigeria in no particular order.

1. IT Security Analyst/Programmers/Ethical Hackers/Engineers

Generally, the world is advancing technologically as computers and technological gadgets are being produced on daily basis. As production and supplies of technological gadgets increase every day, so does the need for Information and technology security analyst/programmers, hackers, and engineers. As long as IT remains a revolutionary tool in the business world, the roles of these experts will always be needed.

The roles of these experts include; maintaining online security, writing and developing computer soft wares, testing and evaluating computer parts and soft wares among others.

The salary range for these positions in Nigeria is between ₦134,000 – ₦400,000 monthly.

2. Surgeons

The role of surgeons cannot be overemphasized in any community. They earn very high in Nigeria because of the delicacy of their jobs. Surgeons are medical doctors that are trained specifically to perform general or specialized types of surgeries.

While surgeons spend time preparing for procedures, reviewing files and meeting with patients, their most critical role is to perform accurately and efficiently in the operating room. Surgeons’ need to be paid well since the lives of people are laid on their tables.

3. Airline Pilot

Airline pilots in Nigeria get a good pay, as they are responsible for the operation of the aircraft, safety of passengers and goods. Pilot earn relatively well because of the delicacy and risk involved in the job, as the lives and safety of passengers depend on them.

However, to determine the average salary of a commercial pilot in Nigeria, some factors have to be considered, factors like; years of experience, type rating, the airline, flying hour and rank of the pilot.

The average salary for a First Officer ranges from ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 monthly, and captains earn about ₦500,000 – ₦3,000, 000 monthly.

4. Petroleum Engineers

Engineering is one of the highest paying careers in Nigeria, however, some engineers earn more than others depending on the field. Petroleum engineers earn well in Nigeria because most petroleum engineers are often employed by multi million-oil companies in Nigeria. Even at the entry-level stage, the petroleum engineer still earns well. Most of the petroleum engineers that work in the oil companies in Nigeria averagely earns about ₦12,000,000 annually. The average salary of a petroleum engineer ranges from ₦300,000 – ₦900,000 monthly. These salaries tend to increase based on experience, level and time on the job.

5. Telecom Engineers

Telecommunications engineers earn a lot in Nigeria because of the rise in demand. The telecommunications industry is one of the fast-growing industries in Nigeria, so the need for telecommunication engineers are like a part of our day-to-day lives.

The duties of a telecommunications engineer involve; design and installing equipment used for transmitting wired phone, cellular, cable and broadband data. Their daily responsibilities can include working with copper or fiber optic cabling, complex networks, and switching systems.

The average salary of telecom engineer in Nigeria ranges from about ₦200,000 – ₦950,000 monthly.

Most of the salaries of professional given above are averages, meaning that the salaries are not precise rather they fall within a given range. It is, however, important to note that the salaries of professionals in different fields are affected by a number of factors like; the kind of company they work for, the industry, years of experience and the degree of expertise. Also knowing the salary expectation of a particular career before going into it is very necessary.

6. Legal Profession

The legal profession is one of the noblest professions. While many do not consider it a very lucrative profession, it is one of the most lucrative in Nigeria. At entry level, not much money can be made from practicing law in Nigeria. However, with an increase in knowledge and profile. One is certain to make quite the amount that is considered good enough to make one rich.

7. Pharmacist

The job of a pharmacist is much known to most Nigerians. Lots of individuals get sick every day and have to visit the doctor who ends up sending them to the pharmacist. While some folks believe the job of a pharmacist ends at this, there is much more to the job of a pharmacist.

Pharmacist earn almost as well as doctors and continue having an increase in salary as they get older

8. Nursing

This is a job mostly done by women. If you are not interested in taking care of people, then this job is clearly not for you. After medicine and Pharmacy, nursing is the most respected profession in the medical field.

Just some decades ago, there were not many graduate nurses in Nigeria. Well, that is no longer the case as Nigeria universities now award degrees to nurses. At entry level, nurses might not earn very much. However, as they grow in rank and experience their pay increases. This is in addition to the job security associated with this job.

Very senior nurses are known to earn up to N400, 000 per month

9. Banking

Banking just as the name implies is very strongly associated with banks. It is a field that used to be the highest paying few years ago. Although, it does not pay as much as before, individuals with this job still earn very good salaries which come with many other benefits such as access to loans.

10. Marketers

This is one of the few jobs that rewards you very rapidly for your hard work. The more successful you are as a marketer, the more your chances of earning. Marketers earn about N300, 000 for a start. This increases rapidly with time.

11. Pastor

Nigerians value and respect their religious leaders. That’s why pastors can take home up to 5-6 million NGN a year. Their usual duties include:

Conducting of congresses, prayers, and sermons in churches

Conducting weddings, funerals, as well as other rituals and ceremonies

The precept of the parishioners

Often pastors have a degree in theology or religious studies, advanced written and oratory skills to promote the church and convey the importance of faith, as well as critical thinking for interpreting scripture.