Civil Engineer Average Salary in Nigeria 2023
How much money does a person working as Civil Engineer make in Nigeria?
LOW
154,000
NGN AVERAGE
321,000
NGN HIGH
504,000
NGN
A person working as Civil Engineer in Nigeria typically earns around 321,000 NGN per month. Salaries range from 154,000 NGN (lowest) to 504,000 NGN (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Civil Engineer salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Civil Engineer Pay Scale and Salaries in Nigeria
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
300,000 NGN or more
264,000 to 300,000 NGN
186,000 NGN or less
186,000 to 264,000 NGN
 154,000 NGN |
302,000 NGN |
504,000 NGN |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Civil Engineer salaries in Nigeria range from 154,000 NGN per month (starting salary) to 504,000 NGN per month (maximum salary). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
Median Salary
The median salary is 302,000 NGN per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Civil Engineer(s) are earning less than 302,000 NGN while the other half are earning more than 302,000 NGN. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Civil Engineer(s) are earning less than 246,000 NGN while 75% of them are earning more than 246,000 NGN. Also from the diagram, 75% of Civil Engineer(s) are earning less than 346,000 NGN while 25% are earning more than 346,000 NGN.
Pay Scale Structure
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights on how salaries are actually distributed. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 186,000 NGN to 264,000 NGN. Approximatly 20% fall under the 186,000 NGN cap. Ten percent of wages are from 264,000 NGN to 300,000 NGN. Only 5% of people grossed 300,000 NGN or more.
Civil Engineer Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
Civil Engineer average salary change by experience in Nigeria
| 0 - 2 Years | 180,000 NGN | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +42% | 256,000 NGN |
| 5 - 10 Years | +31% | 336,000 NGN |
| 10 - 15 Years | +23% | 413,000 NGN |
| 15 - 20 Years | +6% | 439,000 NGN |
| 20+ Years | +10% | 481,000 NGN |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Civil Engineer salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience makes approximately 180,000 NGN per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 256,000 NGN per month, 42% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 336,000 NGN per month, 31% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Civil Engineer whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 413,000 NGN per month, 23% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 439,000 NGN per month, 6% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 481,000 NGN per month, 10% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Civil Engineer Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Civil Engineer(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
Civil Engineer average salary difference by education level in Nigeria
| Bachelor's Degree | 284,000 NGN | |
| Master's Degree | +43% | 406,000 NGN |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Civil Engineer salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary is 284,000 NGN per month.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 406,000 NGN per month, 43% more than someone having a Bachelor's Degree degree.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Nigeria costs anywhere from 1,690,000 Naira(s) to 5,080,000 Naira(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender - Civil Engineer
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Civil Engineer employees in Nigeria earn 9% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 342,000 NGN | |
| Female | -9% | 312,000 NGN |
Salary Comparison By Gender in Nigeria for all Careers
Civil Engineer Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Nigeria
How much are annual salary increments in Nigeria for Civil Engineer(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer(s) in Nigeria are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 9% every 21 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 19 months.
Nigeria / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 5% | |
| Energy | 1% | |
| Information Technology | 6% | |
| Healthcare | 2% | |
| Travel | 7% | |
| Construction | 3% | |
| Education | 8% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Nigeria for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Civil Engineer Bonus and Incentive Rates in Nigeria
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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"Civil Engineer" is considered to be a low bonus-based job. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
72% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 28% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 0% to 4% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 28% | |
| No Bonus | 72% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Civil Engineer Salary Trend and Forecast in Nigeria
How are Civil Engineer salaries changing over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary in recent years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 293,000 NGN | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +2% | 298,000 NGN |
| Average Salary 2021 | +1% | 302,000 NGN |
| Average Salary 2022 | +3% | 312,000 NGN |
Civil Engineer salaries in Nigeria are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2022 are 3% higher than those of 2021. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from industry to another.
Civil Engineer Average Hourly Wage in Nigeria
1,850 NGN per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Nigeria is 1,850 NGN. This means that the average Civil Engineer in Nigeria earns approximately 1,850 NGN for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
The minimum pay rate per hour for 'Civil Engineer' in Nigeria is 890 NGN. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Civil Engineer VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Civil Engineer is 61% more than that of Construction / Building / Installation. Also, Construction / Building / Installation salaries are 41% less than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Adjudicator | 125,000 NGN |  -61% |
| Assembler | 103,000 NGN | -68% |
| Boat Builder and Shipwright | 165,000 NGN | -49% |
| Bricklayer | 90,400 NGN | -72% |
| Building Administrator | 143,000 NGN | -55% |
| Building Contracts Manager | 455,000 NGN |  +42% |
| Building Inspector | 137,000 NGN | -57% |
| Building Monitor | 101,000 NGN | -69% |
| Building Sales Manager | 464,000 NGN | +44% |
| Cabinetmaker | 115,000 NGN | -64% |
| Carpenter | 122,000 NGN | -62% |
| Civil Engineer | 321,000 NGN | -0% |
| Civil Technician | 153,000 NGN | -52% |
| Concreter | 96,900 NGN | -70% |
| Construction and Maintenance Manager | 248,000 NGN | -23% |
| Construction Assistant | 119,000 NGN | -63% |
| Construction Coordinator | 182,000 NGN | -43% |
| Construction Estimator | 194,000 NGN | -40% |
| Construction Field Engineer | 268,000 NGN | -17% |
| Construction General Manager | 580,000 NGN | +81% |
| Construction Inventory Officer | 109,000 NGN | -66% |
| Construction Operations Manager | 516,000 NGN | +61% |
| Construction Project Coordinator | 311,000 NGN | -3% |
| Construction Project Engineer | 301,000 NGN | -6% |
| Construction Project Manager | 557,000 NGN | +73% |
| Construction Project Planner | 307,000 NGN | -4% |
| Construction Quality Control Manager | 434,000 NGN | +35% |
| Construction Safety Officer | 194,000 NGN | -40% |
| Construction Superintendent | 201,000 NGN | -37% |
| Construction Supervisor | 313,000 NGN | -3% |
| Construction Technical Assistant | 111,000 NGN | -65% |
| Construction Technical Officer | 139,000 NGN | -57% |
| Construction Technical Writer | 120,000 NGN | -63% |
| Construction Technician | 116,000 NGN | -64% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | 111,000 NGN | -65% |
| Diesel Mechanic | 97,800 NGN | -70% |
| Drywall Installer | 112,000 NGN | -65% |
| Electrical Draftsman | 111,000 NGN | -65% |
| Electrical Engineering Supervisor | 350,000 NGN | +9% |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 137,000 NGN | -57% |
| Electrician | 156,000 NGN | -51% |
| Elevator Installer and Repairer | 138,000 NGN | -57% |
| Engineer | 320,000 NGN | -0% |
| Excavator Operator | 105,000 NGN | -67% |
| Floor Finisher | 124,000 NGN | -61% |
| Floor Manager | 182,000 NGN | -43% |
| Foreman | 89,100 NGN | -72% |
| Frame and Truss Detailer | 98,600 NGN | -69% |
| Furniture Finisher | 110,000 NGN | -66% |
| Gas Technician | 97,600 NGN | -70% |
| Handyman | 90,800 NGN | -72% |
| Health and Safety Coordinator | 133,000 NGN | -59% |
| Health and Safety Officer | 146,000 NGN | -55% |
| Installation Manager | 367,000 NGN | +14% |
| Installer | 92,000 NGN | -71% |
| Insulation Installer | 111,000 NGN | -65% |
| Labourer | 83,500 NGN | -74% |
| Land Surveyor | 135,000 NGN | -58% |
| Lift Technician | 103,000 NGN | -68% |
| Material Tester | 159,000 NGN | -50% |
| Model Maker | 165,000 NGN | -49% |
| Order Picker | 90,600 NGN | -72% |
| Painter | 105,000 NGN | -67% |
| Pipe Layer | 85,800 NGN | -73% |
| Pipefitter | 90,800 NGN | -72% |
| Plumber | 115,000 NGN | -64% |
| Property Coordinator | 257,000 NGN | -20% |
| Purchasing Manager | 364,000 NGN | +13% |
| Quantity Surveyor | 206,000 NGN | -36% |
| Roof Slater and Tiler | 93,700 NGN | -71% |
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | 110,000 NGN | -66% |
| Site Clerk | 105,000 NGN | -67% |
| Site engineer | 276,000 NGN | -14% |
| Site Leader | 477,000 NGN | +49% |
| Stock Controller | 157,000 NGN | -51% |
| Structural Steel Construction Worker | 110,000 NGN | -66% |
| Technical Draughtsman | 118,000 NGN | -63% |
| Tendering Manager | 466,000 NGN | +45% |
| Tower Crane Operator | 106,000 NGN | -67% |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 102,000 NGN | -68% |
| Warehouse Manager | 342,000 NGN | +6% |
| Welder | 93,100 NGN | -71% |
| Welding Superintendent | 123,000 NGN | -62% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Benin City | 284,000 NGN |
| Ibadan | 308,000 NGN |
| Kaduna | 280,000 NGN |
| Kano | 331,000 NGN |
| Lagos | 324,000 NGN |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Nigeria earn 6% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 328,000 NGN | |
| Public Sector | +6% | 347,000 NGN |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for Civil Engineer in Nigeria?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 302,000 NGN and 346,000 NGN. This is a very rough estimate and your experience and education will play a very huge part into your final earnings.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salart after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary for Civil Engineer in Nigeria is ranges from 246,000 NGN to 346,000 NGN. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range in a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
