Everyone wants to be successful, and knowing the right career path to take is very important. While some Nigerians earn just a little above minimum wage, there are some jobs that pay far above that on a monthly basis if one has the required skills and certifications.

Based on research from online platforms like mysalaryscale.com, and insiders in these 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 ANALYSTS/PROGRAMMERS/ETHICAL HACKERS/ENGINEERS
Generally, the world is advancing technologically as computers and technological gadgets are being produced on daily basis. As production and supply 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. Thei roles include maintaining online security, writing and developing computer soft wares, testing and evaluating computer parts and soft wares among others. 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. Average salary of surgeons in Nigeria ranges from ₦200,000 – ₦568,000 monthly, depending on the sector they work with (private or public).

3. AIRLINE PILOTS
Airline pilots in Nigeria get good pay, as they are responsible for operation of aircraft and safety of passengers and goods. Pilots earn relatively well because of the delicacy and risk involved in the job. However, to determine the average salary of a commercial pilot in Nigeria, some factors have to be considered, like years of experience, type, rating, the airline, flying hours and rank of the pilot. Average salary for a First Officer ranges from ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 monthly, and captains earn about ₦500,000 – ₦3,000,000 monthly.

4. PROJECT MANAGERS
Project managers are charged with the planning, execution, and monitoring various projects within their organizations. Project managers’ salary varies, depending on the company. Project managers in start-ups and small companies may not earn as much as others in big companies. Project managers in big manufacturing firms, telecommunication companies, big oil and gas industries and FCMG’s earn big pay annually. Average salary of a Project Manager in Nigeria ranges from ₦269,000 – ₦803,000 per month.

5. BUSINESS MANAGERS/DIRECTORS
The role of a business manager is very important in any industry. It is one of the most demanding jobs these days, because the overall success and failure of the business rests on the shoulder of the business manager. Being a business manager or director can be a very challenging career path because of responsibilities that come with the role; from achieving business goals to increasing productivity. The duties of a business manager/director vary from company to company. All business managers are charged with responsibility to drive the work of others in order to run a business. Average salary for a business manager/director in Nigeria ranges from ₦200,000 – ₦700,000 monthly.

6. INVESTMENT BANKERS
Theys are charged with the responsibility of helping companies, government, and their agencies, to raise money by selling securities in the primary market. They assist public and private companies in raising funds in the capital market. Investment bankers mostly work in Hedge funds, banks, consulting firms, investment advisory and asset management companies. Average salary for an investment banker ranges from ₦300,000 – ₦500,000 monthly

7. ENTERTAINMENT
Most people want to relax after a hard days’ work, and entertainment provides some form of relaxation. As a result of increased demand, entertainers’ such as musicians, actors, and actress actually earn a lot. It is not uncommon for you to find people idolizing celebrities. Musicians/Actors earn up to ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000 for their appearance in a concert or movie.

8. AEROSPACE ENGINEERS
They perform a very critical role in safeguarding lives and property of air passengers. Ordinarily, we might think that pilots are the only ones charged with this responsibility, but the aerospace engineer makes sure that all parts of the plane function properly. Duties of aerospace engineer involve designing and building machines that fly. Most aerospace engineers in Nigeria have to study abroad, making them more important. Average salary of a Nigerian aerospace engineer starts from ₦13,000,000 per year.

9. 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. Starting 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.

10. TELECOM ENGINEERS
Telecoms 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; designing 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. Average salary of a 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 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 degree of expertise. Also knowing the salary expectation of a particular career before going into it is very necessary.

SOURCE (abridged): https://www.mysalaryscale.com/blog/top-ten-well-paid-careers-in-nigeria/

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