Nigeria’s minimum wage was recently increased to ₦70,000 per month in 2024, a significant rise from the previous ₦30,000. While this sets a baseline for formal employment, actual entry-level salaries often exceed this figure—especially in competitive industries.

According to RiseVest’s Cost of Living report, the average monthly salary in Nigeria is around ₦330,000, with lower ranges starting at about ₦85,700 and higher ranges reaching up to ₦500,000.

For entry-level roles, however, ₦70,000 typically serves as the starting benchmark, with higher earnings depending on industry, skills, and location.

Entry-Level Salaries by Industry

Oil & Gas

The oil and gas sector remains the highest-paying industry in Nigeria, offering strong compensation, career growth opportunities, and additional benefits.

Typical entry-level salary ranges include:

• ExxonMobil — ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,800,000 (annually)

• Chevron — ₦30,000 – ₦855,000

• NLNG — ₦400,000 – ₦800,000

• Schlumberger — ₦210,000 – ₦760,000

• Shell (SPDC) — ₦748,000

• NNPC — ₦500,000 – ₦700,000

• Oando — ₦680,000

• Mobil Oil Nigeria — ₦500,000

• Seplat — ₦300,000 – ₦500,000

• Nestoil — ₦400,000 – ₦500,000

• Total Oil — ₦300,000

Banking

The banking sector is one of the most attractive industries for fresh graduates, offering competitive entry-level salaries.

• Standard Chartered Bank — ₦514,000

• Stanbic IBTC — ₦511,000

• Providus Bank — ₦433,000

• GTBank — ₦325,000 – ₦433,000

• First Bank of Nigeria — ₦420,000

• Wema Bank — ₦388,000

• UBA — ₦376,000

• Fidelity Bank — ₦360,000

• Union Bank — ₦350,000

• Sterling Bank — ₦327,000

Manufacturing

• Nigerian Breweries Plc — ₦350,000

• Nigerian Bottling Company — ₦160,000

• Guinness Nigeria — ₦160,000

• Dangote Sugar — ₦150,000

• PZ Cussons — ₦145,000

• Dangote Cement — ₦140,000

• Cadbury Nigeria Plc — ₦130,000

• Meristem — ₦100,000

• Frigoglass — ₦90,000

• Lafarge — ₦90,000

Telecommunications

• MTN Nigeria — ₦180,000 – ₦250,000

• Airtel Nigeria — ₦150,000

• Globacom — ₦120,000

Accounting & Professional Services

• KPMG — ₦145,000 – ₦171,000

• Deloitte — ₦150,000

• PwC — ₦140,000

Technology (Tech)

Despite a decline in some entry-level roles, the tech industry still offers strong earning potential:

• Software Developers — ₦200,000

• Data Analysts — ₦158,000

• UI/UX Designers — ₦120,000

• Cybersecurity Analysts — ₦150,000

• DevOps Engineers — ₦200,000

Other Fields and Roles

Digital Marketing & Creative Roles

• Digital Marketers — ₦150,000 (up to ₦500,000+ with experience)

• Content Writers — ₦80,000 (up to ₦200,000+)

• Graphic Designers — ₦150,000 (up to ₦300,000+)

• Social Media Managers — ₦160,000

Sales, Admin & Customer Support

• Sales Representatives — ₦150,000 (plus incentives)

• Administrative Assistants — ₦100,000

• Customer Service Representatives — ₦90,000 (up to ₦250,000+)

Factors That Influence Entry-Level Salaries

Entry-level salaries in Nigeria vary widely depending on several key factors:

1. Location

Major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt typically offer higher salaries due to higher living costs and greater demand for skilled professionals.

2. Education and Certifications

Higher educational qualifications often lead to better pay. Additionally, professional certifications in fields like accounting, IT, or project management can significantly boost earning potential.

3. Industry Choice

Your industry plays a major role in determining your salary. Sectors like:

• Oil & Gas

• Banking

• Telecommunications

• Technology

tend to offer higher pay compared to industries like education or retail.

4. Skills and Specialisation

In-demand and specialized skills—especially in tech—can dramatically increase your earning potential.

For example, cybersecurity professionals can earn significantly higher salaries even at early career stages.

Conclusion

Maximizing your entry-level salary in Nigeria requires strategic career planning.

Focus on:

• High-growth industries

• In-demand skills

• Continuous learning and development

Remember, your first salary is just the beginning. On average, employees in Nigeria experience salary increases of about 8% every 19 months. With the right skills, performance, and career decisions, you can significantly grow your income over time.