By the end of the year 2021, the GDP per capita in Nigeria is expected to reach 2300.00 USD. It’s expected to continue growing into the next year, too, and reach 2450.00 USD in 2022.
Nigerian citizens have been struggling with a higher-than-average unemployment rate for quite some time. However, there are still high-paying jobs available throughout the country.
If you’re looking to make a career change to a higher-paying position, or if you’re in school and want to know which degree will help you to earn the most money after graduating, this guide is for you.
Read on to learn about the top 20 highest-paying jobs in Nigeria, as well as the degrees that will help you land them.
What Salary Is Considered Rich in Nigeria?
Before we start discussing the best-paid jobs in Nigeria, let’s touch on the amount of money a job would have to offer to be considered a good-paying job in this country. In other words, what kind of salary makes a person “rich” in Nigeria?
The average salary in Nigeria for a full-time worker is approximately 339,000 NGN per month. Salaries in Nigeria can be as low as 85,700 NGN (this is the lowest average in the country) and as high as 1,510,000 NGN (this is the highest average) or more.
The cost of living in Nigeria is considerably lower than it is in other parts of the world. It’s 57.28 percent lower than the cost of living in the United States, for example.
If you were to earn a salary above the average of 339,000 NGN per month, you’d likely be able to live quite comfortably in Nigeria.
According to the report linked above from Salary Explorer, 75 percent of employees in Nigeria earn less than 925,000 NGN per month. The closer you can get to this mark (or above) and solidify yourself in the country’s top 25 percent of earners, the wealthier you and your family are likely to be.
What Is the #1 Highest-Paid Position in Nigeria?
Now, let’s explore the best-paid jobs in Nigeria.
The number one highest-paying position in Nigeria is that of a heart transplant surgeon. As a heart transplant surgeon, you can earn an average of 1,510,000 NGN per month, putting you firmly in the top quarter of earners in the country.
Don’t want to work as a heart transplant surgeon? There are plenty of other high-paying jobs in this country that you might want to consider, including the 20 jobs listed below, which are ranked from lowest to highest salary:
20. Marketing Director
Marketing Director Average Salary: 454,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Marketing Director Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
19. Pilot
Pilot Average Salary: 454,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Pilot Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
18. Psychologist
Psychologist Average Salary: 554,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Psychologist Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
17. Head of Public Relations
Head of Public Relations Average Salary: 567,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Head of Public Relations Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
16. Advertising Sales Director
Advertising Sales Director Average Salary: 580,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Advertising Sales Director Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
15. Construction Manager
Construction Manager Average Salary: 580,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Construction Manager Jobs in South Africa on GrabJobs
14. Architectural Manager
Architectural Manager Average Salary: 605,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Architectural Manager Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
13. University Professor
University Professor Average Salary: 605,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse University Professor Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
12. Director of Engineering
Director of Engineering Average Salary: 605,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Director of Engineering Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
11. Financial Manager
Financial Manager Average Annual Salary: 605,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Financial Manager Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
10. Orthodontist
Orthodontist Average Salary: 680,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Orthodontist Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
9. Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer Average Salary: 706,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Chief Financial Officer Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
8. Aviation Manager
Aviation Manager Average Salary: 706,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Aviation Manager Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
7. Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer Average Salary: 756,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Chief Executive Officer Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
6. Bank Manager
Bank Manager Average Salary: 806,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Bank Manager Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
5. Crown Prosecution Lawyer
Crown Prosecution Lawyer Average Salary: 857,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Lawyer Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
4. Supreme Court Judge
Supreme Court Judge Average Salary: 1,010,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Supreme Court Judge Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
3. Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic Surgeon Average Salary: 1,410,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
2. Chief of Surgery
Chief of Surgery Average Annual Salary: 1,460,000 NGN Per Year
👉 Browse Chief of Surgery Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
1. Heart Transplant Surgeon
Heart Transplant Surgeon Average Salary: 1,510,000 NGN Per Month
👉 Browse Heart Transplant Surgeon Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries in Nigeria
As you may have noticed when reading through the above list, the highest-paying jobs in Nigeria typically fall under similar categories.
Listed below are the top 5 highest-paying industries in Nigeria. If you work in one of these fields, your chances of earning a good salary go up significantly.
1. Healthcare
It shouldn’t come as a shock that the healthcare industry is one of the most profitable and highest-paying industries in Nigeria. As is the case throughout the world, healthcare workers are highly valued in this country and, as such, are paid very well for the hard work they do. Even if you don’t want to work as a surgeon, there are plenty of other high-paid healthcare jobs you may want to consider, including those listed below:
Top 3 Job Titles
- Heart Transplant Surgeon: Average Salary 1,510,000 NGN per month
- Orthopedic Surgeon: Average Salary 1,410,000 NGN Per Month
- Physician: Average Salary 796,000 NGN per month
Career Prospects
Healthcare workers will always be in high demand in Nigeria. Because of this ongoing need, prospects for Nigerians who choose to work in the healthcare industry look very promising. Of course, it takes a lot of time and money to become a surgeon, doctor, or another type of healthcare worker. If you can invest in your training upfront, though, you can see incredible returns later on.
👉 Browse Healthcare jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
2. Legal
The legal industry is another high-paying industry in Nigeria. From lawyers to judges, there are many well-paid professionals who work in this field, and it presents a lot of opportunities to earn a great living in Nigeria and abroad. The following are the 3 highest-paid professions that fall under the legal umbrella:
Top 3 Job Titles
- Supreme Court Judge: Average Salary 1,010,000 NGN Per Month
- Crown Prosecution Lawyer: Average Salary 857,000 NGN Per Month
- General Counsel: Average Salary 806,000 NGN Per Month
Career Prospects
The legal industry is one of the most competitive in Nigeria (and throughout the world), and some people may have a hard time finding work right after they graduate from law school. That being said, there are still plenty of legal careers available in Nigeria, so those who have a passion for the law and are interested in upholding it shouldn’t let the competitiveness of the field stop them from pursuing their dreams.
👉 Browse Legal jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
3. Finance
The finance industry offers a variety of career options for those who are interested in things like money management and accounting. There’s a high demand for professionals who can assist with financial matters, so it makes sense that those who work in this field can earn higher-than-average salaries. Here are 3 of the highest-paying finance jobs to consider in Nigeria:
Top 3 Job Titles
- Bank Manager: Average Salary 806,000 NGN Per Month
- Chief Financial Officer: Average Salary 706,000 NGN Per Month
- Financial Manager: Average Salary 665,000 NGN Per Month
Career Prospects
Both businesses and individuals can always benefit from the advice of an experienced, knowledgeable financial advisor. Because of this, career prospects for those who want to work in the finance industry look very promising now and in the future.
👉 Browse Finance jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
4. Business and Marketing
The business and marketing industries also offer a lot of high-paying jobs. If you’re interested in business management, sales, promotion, or a related career, you’ll find a lot of opportunities to earn a great salary working in this field. This is especially true if you decide to pursue one of these 3 high-paying business/marketing jobs:
Top 3 Job Titles
- Chief Executive Officer: Average Salary 756,000 NGN Per Month
- Advertising Sales Director: Average Salary 580,000 NGN Per Month
- Head of Public Relations: Average Salary 567,000 NGN Per Month
Career Prospects
There are lots of opportunities for business and marketing-minded individuals in Nigeria. Not only are there plenty of businesses throughout the country that can benefit from business-savvy individuals, but there are also new companies opening all the time, and they need the help of skilled, talented workers, too.
👉 Browse Business and Marketing jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
5. Aviation
The aviation industry is another well-paying industry for Nigerians to consider. If you want to work in an exciting, fast-evolving field, pursuing an aviation career would be an excellent option. Here are some of the highest-paying aviation jobs to work toward:
Top 3 Job Titles
- Aviation Manager: Average Salary 706,000 NGN Per Month
- Airport Services Manager: Average Salary 696,000 NGN Per Month
- Pilot: Average Salary 504,000 NGN Per Month
Career Prospects
With tourism and travel numbers starting to pick back up (after a steep decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic), there are more opportunities for those who want to work in the aviation industry. If you have a passion for travel and want to do work that allows you to experience it regularly, an aviation career is a great choice.
👉 Browse Aviation jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Nigeria for Fresh Graduates
There is a difference between the highest-paying jobs in South Africa and the highest-paying jobs in South Africa for fresh graduates. Even if you’re working in one of the highest-paying industries in South Africa, it may still take you a while to rise through the ranks and start earning a high salary.
If you’re looking to maximize your earnings right out of school, the following are the 5 best-paying jobs to consider:
1. Petroleum Engineer
Engineering directors earn some of the highest salaries in Nigeria. Before you can get to that point, though, you first need to work as an engineer.
One of the highest paying engineering jobs in Nigeria is that of a petroleum engineer. Petroleum engineers are responsible for determining the amount of oil and gas that are present in a reservoir. They also determine the most suitable extraction methods, as well as the duration for which it’ll last.
Because Nigeria is an oil-producing country, it makes sense that petroleum engineers would be well-paid. They can earn anywhere from 200,000 NGN (on the very low end) up to 1,000,000 NGN (on the high end) per month. Entry-level salaries typically range from 275,000 NGN to 600,000 NGN per month.
👉 Browse Petroleum Engineering Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
2. Pilot
Pilots can also start earning a generous salary right out of school, too. Even entry-level pilots can quickly earn an average or higher-than-average salary shortly after graduation.
Most pilots are able to start working after just 4 years of schooling, too. This means they’re able to graduate and start earning high salaries earlier than a lot of other professionals in Nigeria, which also allows them to recoup the money they spent earning their pilots’ licenses.
On the low end, pilots can earn between 200,000 and 500,000 NGN per month. Over time, though, they can work their way up to earning anywhere from 500,000 NGN to 3,000,000 NGN per month.
👉 Browse Pilot Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
3. Software Developer
Careers in the tech world are quickly becoming some of the most popular options in Nigeria and across the globe, especially for those who want to earn a good salary right after they graduate from school.
Software developers are in charge of managing various aspects of computer programs, from design and analysis to testing and development. They also handle all required maintenance to keep these programs running smoothly for their clients.
Software developers can work in a variety of fields, whether they work exclusively for an IT company or if they’re hired to be an in-house developer for another business, and can earn very high salaries over time.
For new software developers, the average salary ranges from 134,000 NGN to 400,000 NGN per month. There’s room for a lot of salary growth, though, especially as you gain experience.
👉 Browse Chartered Accountant Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
4. Investment Banker
If you want to work in finance and start earning a high salary right away, consider pursuing a career as an investment banker after graduating from school.
Investment bankers work with governments and various private companies and agencies to raise funds by offering investment advice. Their primary goal is to help their clients identify the best ways to raise capital.
There are lots of job opportunities for those who pursue degrees and finance and enter the investment banking world, too. Whether you want to work with a hedge fund, a private bank, or a consulting firm, you have plenty of choices. If you want to stay in Nigeria or eventually work abroad, all options are on the table.
Investment bankers earn an average of 300,000 NGN to 500,000 NGN per month.
👉 Browse Investment Banker Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
5. Accountant
Accounting is another good career option for those who want to work in the finance world.
Accountants prepare and review financial records. They also ensure that taxes are filed appropriately.
On average, accountants earn between 140,000 NGN and 1,500,000 NGN per month, depending on where they choose to work.
There are lots of opportunities to consider after you earn an accounting degree. You can work for a private accounting firm, for example, or apply for a public sector accounting job. You can also work as an in-house accountant for another business that needs help managing its finances.
👉 Browse Accountant Jobs in Nigeria on GrabJobs
What Degree Pays Most in Nigeria?
To land one of the highest-paying jobs in Nigeria for fresh graduates, you’ll need the right education. Listed below are some of the best degree types to pursue if you want to earn a high salary after graduating and as you continue to be a part of the workforce:
Degree Type
Engineering
200,000 NGN to 1,000,000+ NGN
Aviation
200,000 and 500,000 NGN
Computer Science
134,000 NGN to 400,000 NGN
Finance
300,000 NGN to 500,000 NGN
Accounting
140,000 NGN and 1,500,000 NGN
It’s important to note, of course, that these salary numbers are merely estimates. You may earn a lot more or a lot less than this depending on the specific jobs you accept after graduating.
There are also plenty of other degrees you can work toward that will lead to high-paying jobs in Nigeria. Just because you don’t see a specific degree path mentioned above, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the potential to be lucrative.
Land the Highest-Paying Jobs in Nigeria Today
Now that you know more about the best-paid jobs in Nigeria, are you ready to start working toward them?
Do you need to change your path at school to earn a degree that will qualify you for a high-paying job? Do you need to start sharpening your skills so you can make a career change to a higher-paying position?
No matter where you are in your job-seeking journey, GrabJobs offers lots of resources that can help you to increase your chances of getting hired. Check out our site today to learn more about what you need to do to land a high-paying job as quickly as possible.
We also have a free job search tool that will make it easier than ever for you to search for openings when the time comes.
Check out the GrabJobs job search in Nigeria today!
