Engineer Average Salary in Nigeria 2023
How much money does a person working as Engineer make in Nigeria?
LOW
142,000
NGN AVERAGE
309,000
NGN HIGH
491,000
NGN
A person working as Engineer in Nigeria typically earns around 309,000 NGN per month. Salaries range from 142,000 NGN (lowest) to 491,000 NGN (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Engineer salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Engineer Pay Scale and Salaries in Nigeria
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
293,000 NGN or more
257,000 to 293,000 NGN
177,000 NGN or less
177,000 to 257,000 NGN
 142,000 NGN |
295,000 NGN |
491,000 NGN |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Engineer salaries in Nigeria range from 142,000 NGN per month (starting salary) to 491,000 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 295,000 NGN per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Engineer(s) are earning less than 295,000 NGN while the other half are earning more than 295,000 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 Engineer(s) are earning less than 238,000 NGN while 75% of them are earning more than 238,000 NGN. Also from the diagram, 75% of Engineer(s) are earning less than 340,000 NGN while 25% are earning more than 340,000 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 177,000 NGN to 257,000 NGN. Approximatly 20% fall under the 177,000 NGN cap. Ten percent of wages are from 257,000 NGN to 293,000 NGN. Only 5% of people grossed 293,000 NGN or more.
Engineer Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
Engineer average salary change by experience in Nigeria
| 0 - 2 Years | 161,000 NGN | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 215,000 NGN |
| 5 - 10 Years | +48% | 318,000 NGN |
| 10 - 15 Years | +22% | 388,000 NGN |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 423,000 NGN |
| 20+ Years | +8% | 458,000 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 Engineer salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience makes approximately 161,000 NGN per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 215,000 NGN per month, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 318,000 NGN per month, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Engineer whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 388,000 NGN per month, 22% 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 423,000 NGN per month, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 458,000 NGN per month, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Engineer Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Engineer(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
Engineer average salary difference by education level in Nigeria
| Bachelor's Degree | 187,000 NGN | |
| Master's Degree | +93% | 362,000 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 Engineer salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary is 187,000 NGN per month.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 362,000 NGN per month, 93% 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 - Engineer
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Engineer employees in Nigeria earn 22% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 339,000 NGN | |
| Female | -18% | 278,000 NGN |
Salary Comparison By Gender in Nigeria for all Careers
Engineer Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Nigeria
How much are annual salary increments in Nigeria for Engineer(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Engineer
Engineer(s) in Nigeria are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 11% every 19 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.
Engineer Bonus and Incentive Rates in Nigeria
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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"Engineer" is considered to be a moderate bonus-based job. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
45% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 55% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 55% | |
| No Bonus | 45% |
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.
Engineer Salary Trend and Forecast in Nigeria
How are Engineer salaries changing over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary in recent years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 267,000 NGN | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +4% | 277,000 NGN |
| Average Salary 2021 | +4% | 287,000 NGN |
| Average Salary 2022 | +4% | 298,000 NGN |
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 4% 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.
Engineer Average Hourly Wage in Nigeria
1,780 NGN per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Nigeria is 1,780 NGN. This means that the average Engineer in Nigeria earns approximately 1,780 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 'Engineer' in Nigeria is 820 NGN. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Engineer VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Engineer is 8% more than that of Engineering. Also, Engineering salaries are 16% less than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Acoustics Engineer | 275,000 NGN |  -11% |
| Assembly Engineering Technician | 233,000 NGN | -25% |
| Assistant Chief Engineer | 324,000 NGN |  +5% |
| Associate Engineer | 267,000 NGN | -14% |
| Autocad Operator | 189,000 NGN | -39% |
| Automation Engineer | 311,000 NGN | +1% |
| Avionic System Support Engineer | 274,000 NGN | -11% |
| Biochemical Engineer | 288,000 NGN | -7% |
| BMS Engineer | 278,000 NGN | -10% |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | 165,000 NGN | -47% |
| Broadcast Engineer | 291,000 NGN | -6% |
| CAD Design Engineer | 314,000 NGN | +2% |
| CAD Designer | 183,000 NGN | -41% |
| CAE Engineer | 296,000 NGN | -4% |
| Ceramics Engineer | 281,000 NGN | -9% |
| Civil Engineer | 304,000 NGN | -2% |
| Commissioning Engineer | 300,000 NGN | -3% |
| Communications Engineer | 307,000 NGN | -1% |
| Condition Monitoring Engineer | 250,000 NGN | -19% |
| Contract Associate Engineer | 293,000 NGN | -5% |
| Control Systems Engineer | 286,000 NGN | -7% |
| Controls Engineer | 296,000 NGN | -4% |
| Controls Software Engineer | 271,000 NGN | -12% |
| Corrosion Engineer | 276,000 NGN | -11% |
| Design Engineer | 289,000 NGN | -6% |
| Drafter | 187,000 NGN | -39% |
| Drafting Manager | 329,000 NGN | +7% |
| Drilling Engineer | 292,000 NGN | -5% |
| Electrical Draughtsman | 146,000 NGN | -53% |
| Electrical Engineer | 316,000 NGN | +2% |
| Electrical Engineering Manager | 438,000 NGN | +42% |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technologist | 327,000 NGN | +6% |
| Electromechanical Equipment Assembler | 153,000 NGN | -50% |
| Energy Engineer | 309,000 NGN | +0% |
| Engine Assembler | 138,000 NGN | -55% |
| Engineer | 309,000 NGN | +0% |
| Engineering Account Manager | 326,000 NGN | +6% |
| Engineering Chief Designer | 322,000 NGN | +4% |
| Engineering Consultant | 383,000 NGN | +24% |
| Engineering Key Account Manager | 415,000 NGN | +34% |
| Engineering Lab Technician | 270,000 NGN | -13% |
| Engineering Planning Manager | 402,000 NGN | +30% |
| Engineering Production Manager | 533,000 NGN | +73% |
| Engineering Project Analyst | 359,000 NGN | +16% |
| Engineering Project Coordinator | 333,000 NGN | +8% |
| Engineering Project Director | 575,000 NGN | +86% |
| Engineering Project Manager | 413,000 NGN | +34% |
| Engineering Research and Development Manager | 495,000 NGN | +60% |
| Engineering Safety Coordinator | 238,000 NGN | -23% |
| Engineering Sales Manager | 405,000 NGN | +31% |
| Engineering Technician | 229,000 NGN | -26% |
| Engineering Technologist | 241,000 NGN | -22% |
| Environmental Engineer | 303,000 NGN | -2% |
| Equipment Engineer | 271,000 NGN | -12% |
| Equipment Engineering Manager | 375,000 NGN | +21% |
| Estimator | 247,000 NGN | -20% |
| Fabrication Specialist | 209,000 NGN | -32% |
| Fabricator | 129,000 NGN | -58% |
| Facade Engineer | 290,000 NGN | -6% |
| Fiber Analyst | 169,000 NGN | -45% |
| Field Engineer | 314,000 NGN | +2% |
| Field Engineering Manager | 489,000 NGN | +58% |
| Fire Engineer | 303,000 NGN | -2% |
| Fitter and Turner | 92,900 NGN | -70% |
| Forestry Strategic Planner | 353,000 NGN | +14% |
| Generation Engineer | 305,000 NGN | -1% |
| Genetic Engineer | 321,000 NGN | +4% |
| Geological Engineer | 317,000 NGN | +3% |
| Geotechnical Engineer | 326,000 NGN | +6% |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | 150,000 NGN | -51% |
| Highway Engineer | 293,000 NGN | -5% |
| HSE Professional | 287,000 NGN | -7% |
| HVAC Engineer | 300,000 NGN | -3% |
| HVAC Supervisor | 276,000 NGN | -11% |
| Industrial Engineer | 288,000 NGN | -7% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologist | 279,000 NGN | -10% |
| Instrument Engineer | 278,000 NGN | -10% |
| Instrumentation and Control Engineer | 293,000 NGN | -5% |
| Instrumentation Engineer | 298,000 NGN | -3% |
| Instrumentation Manager | 297,000 NGN | -4% |
| Irrigation Engineer | 278,000 NGN | -10% |
| Licensed Aircraft Engineer | 326,000 NGN | +6% |
| Locomotive Engineer | 274,000 NGN | -11% |
| Maintenance Engineer | 285,000 NGN | -8% |
| Maintenance Fitter | 102,000 NGN | -67% |
| Maintenance Manager | 306,000 NGN | -1% |
| Manufacturing Engineer | 280,000 NGN | -9% |
| Marine Engineer | 310,000 NGN | +0% |
| Materials Engineer | 290,000 NGN | -6% |
| Materials Researcher | 288,000 NGN | -7% |
| Materials Technician | 219,000 NGN | -29% |
| Mechanical and Electrical Engineer | 326,000 NGN | +6% |
| Mechanical Design Engineer | 309,000 NGN | +0% |
| Mechanical Designer | 265,000 NGN | -14% |
| Mechanical Engineer | 302,000 NGN | -2% |
| Mechanical Engineering Manager | 422,000 NGN | +37% |
| Mechanical Inspector | 286,000 NGN | -7% |
| Mechatronics Engineer | 303,000 NGN | -2% |
| Mining Engineer | 295,000 NGN | -4% |
| Oil and Petrochemical Engineer | 333,000 NGN | +8% |
| Optical Engineer | 286,000 NGN | -7% |
| Optical Instrument Assembler | 143,000 NGN | -54% |
| PCB Assembler | 112,000 NGN | -64% |
| Photonics Engineer | 324,000 NGN | +5% |
| Photonics Technician | 253,000 NGN | -18% |
| Pipeline Engineer | 261,000 NGN | -15% |
| Piping Designer | 164,000 NGN | -47% |
| Piping Engineer | 266,000 NGN | -14% |
| Planning Engineer | 286,000 NGN | -7% |
| Pressure Vessel Inspector | 143,000 NGN | -54% |
| Principal Cost Engineer | 311,000 NGN | +1% |
| Principal Engineer | 285,000 NGN | -8% |
| Principal Support Engineer | 302,000 NGN | -2% |
| Process Engineer | 290,000 NGN | -6% |
| Process Operator | 177,000 NGN | -43% |
| Product Development Engineer | 322,000 NGN | +4% |
| Product Development Technician | 223,000 NGN | -28% |
| Product Engineer | 309,000 NGN | +0% |
| Product Safety Engineer | 277,000 NGN | -10% |
| Production Engineer | 281,000 NGN | -9% |
| Project Engineer | 301,000 NGN | -3% |
| Proposal Manager | 381,000 NGN | +23% |
| Purchasing Engineer | 264,000 NGN | -14% |
| Quality Assurance Engineer | 299,000 NGN | -3% |
| Rail Engineer | 292,000 NGN | -5% |
| Robotics Engineer | 320,000 NGN | +4% |
| Robotics Technician | 246,000 NGN | -20% |
| Safety Engineer | 306,000 NGN | -1% |
| Safety Inspector | 240,000 NGN | -22% |
| Safety Manager | 353,000 NGN | +14% |
| Safety Officer | 147,000 NGN | -52% |
| Sales Engineer | 310,000 NGN | +0% |
| Scheduling Engineer | 275,000 NGN | -11% |
| Service Engineer | 321,000 NGN | +4% |
| Solar Engineer | 304,000 NGN | -2% |
| Staff Engineer | 298,000 NGN | -3% |
| Static Equipment Engineer | 292,000 NGN | -5% |
| Stationary Engineer | 258,000 NGN | -16% |
| Stress Engineer | 284,000 NGN | -8% |
| Structural Analysis Engineer | 287,000 NGN | -7% |
| Structural Designer | 255,000 NGN | -17% |
| Structural Engineer | 304,000 NGN | -2% |
| Structural Technician | 191,000 NGN | -38% |
| Supply Chain Specialist | 299,000 NGN | -3% |
| Surveyor | 218,000 NGN | -29% |
| Technical Affairs Officer | 154,000 NGN | -50% |
| Technical Assistant | 150,000 NGN | -51% |
| Technical Engineer | 256,000 NGN | -17% |
| Technical Support Engineer | 250,000 NGN | -19% |
| Tender Engineer | 263,000 NGN | -15% |
| Test Development Engineer | 282,000 NGN | -9% |
| Transportation Engineer | 279,000 NGN | -10% |
| Validation Engineer | 255,000 NGN | -17% |
| Verification Engineer | 274,000 NGN | -11% |
| Wastewater Engineer | 285,000 NGN | -8% |
| Wind Energy Engineer | 297,000 NGN | -4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Manager | 411,000 NGN | +33% |
| Work Planner | 214,000 NGN | -31% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Benin City | 280,000 NGN |
| Ibadan | 307,000 NGN |
| Kaduna | 307,000 NGN |
| Kano | 332,000 NGN |
| Lagos | 327,000 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 Engineer in Nigeria?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 295,000 NGN and 340,000 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 Engineer in Nigeria is ranges from 238,000 NGN to 340,000 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
