Dermatologist Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

Overview

Dermatologists in Nigeria, as specialized medical professionals, earn salaries that vary widely based on experience, location, sector (public vs. private), and additional qualifications. The data below provides a comprehensive look at their compensation, including base salary, hourly rates, bonuses, and factors influencing earnings.

Average Salary

• Annual Salary: The average annual salary for a dermatologist in Nigeria is approximately 11,688,600 NGN (around USD 7,080 at an exchange rate of 1,650 NGN/USD).
• Monthly Salary: This translates to an average of 974,050 NGN per month.
• Salary Range:
  • Lowest Average: 6,311,900 NGN per year (approx. 526,000 NGN per month).
  • Highest Average: 17,640,500 NGN per year (approx. 1,470,000 NGN per month).
• Median Salary: 10,750,100 NGN per year (approx. 895,841 NGN per month). This means 50% of dermatologists earn less than this amount, and 50% earn more.
• Percentile Breakdown:
  • 25th Percentile: 7,680,400 NGN per year (approx. 640,033 NGN per month). 25% of dermatologists earn less than this.
  • 75th Percentile: 13,230,375 NGN per year (approx. 1,102,531 NGN per month). 75% of dermatologists earn less than this.

Hourly Wage

• Average Hourly Rate: Assuming a standard work schedule of 40 hours per week, 5 days a week, and 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours annually), the average hourly wage is approximately 5,619 NGN (USD 3.40).
• Minimum Hourly Rate: Based on the lowest reported salary (526,000 NGN/month), the minimum hourly rate is around 3,030 NGN (USD 1.84).
• Calculation Formula: Hourly wage = (Monthly salary × 12) ÷ (40 hours × 52 weeks).

Salary Distribution

• Common Salary Ranges:
  • 65% of dermatologists earn between 577,000 NGN and 777,000 NGN per month.
  • 20% earn below 577,000 NGN per month.
  • 10% earn between 777,000 NGN and 868,000 NGN per month.
  • 5% earn above 868,000 NGN per month.
• Competitive Salary Range: A competitive compensation package typically falls between 871,000 NGN and 983,000 NGN per month.

Factors Affecting Salary

1. Experience:
   • Entry-Level (1-3 years): -9% below average, around 5,756,700 NGN per year (approx. 479,725 NGN per month).
   • Mid-Career (4-7 years): +16% above average, around 13,558,776 NGN per year (approx. 1,129,898 NGN per month).
   • Experienced (8+ years): +33% above average, around 15,545,838 NGN per year (approx. 1,295,486 NGN per month).
2. Location:
   • Urban areas like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt offer higher salaries due to higher demand and cost of living.
   • Rural areas typically pay less but may offer other benefits like housing.
3. Sector:
   • Private Sector: Pays 6% more on average than the public sector. Private practices, especially in cosmetic dermatology, can be more lucrative.
   • Public Sector: Offers stability, benefits like pensions, and health insurance but lower base salaries.
4. Education and Certifications:
   • A Master’s degree or additional certifications (e.g., in cosmetic dermatology) can increase earnings by 10%.
   • Board certification from recognized bodies enhances credibility and salary potential.
5. Gender:
   • Male dermatologists earn 12,121,000 NGN annually on average, while female dermatologists earn 11,050,300 NGN, indicating a 9% gender pay gap.
6. Subspecialty:
   • Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology: Higher earning potential due to demand for aesthetic treatments.
   • Pediatric Dermatology: Competitive salaries due to scarcity of specialists.
   • Dermatopathology: Involves additional training but offers higher compensation.

Additional Compensation

• Bonuses:
  • Sign-on Bonus: 37% of dermatologists receive an average sign-on bonus of USD 32,000 (approx. 52,800,000 NGN).
  • Performance Bonuses: Common in private practices, ranging from 1-3% of monthly salary.
• Relocation Bonus: 25% of dermatologists receive an average of USD 11,000 (approx. 18,150,000 NGN).
• Benefits:
  • Retirement Plan: Available in most hospitals and healthcare centers.
  • Health Insurance: Commonly provided.
  • Training Courses: Internal and external training is standard.
  • Career Development: Structured plans are common.
• Vacation:
  • Average 5 paid vacation days annually, though contracts may vary.
  • 12 paid public holidays.
• Other Perks:
  • Housing and transport allowances are often included, especially in public sector roles.
  • 20 vacation days annually on average for experienced dermatologists.

Salary Trends

• Annual Increase: Salaries in Nigeria typically increase by 5% per year.
• Inflation Impact: With Nigeria’s high inflation rate (estimated at 30%+ in 2025), real income may decrease unless salaries adjust accordingly.
• Demand: Growing demand for dermatological services, especially cosmetic procedures, is driving salary growth in urban areas.

Comparison with Other Countries

• South Africa:
  • Average: ZAR 2,425,237/year (approx. USD 134,735 or 222,312,750 NGN).
  • Hourly rate: ZAR 1,166 (approx. USD 65 or 107,250 NGN).
• United States:
  • Average: USD 509,793/year (approx. 841,158,450 NGN).
  • Hourly rate: USD 218 (approx. 359,700 NGN).
• Canada:
  • Average: CAD 166,138/year (approx. USD 120,000 or 198,000,000 NGN).
  • Highest: CAD 558,919/year.
• India:
  • Average: INR 918,062/year (approx. USD 10,900 or 17,985,000 NGN).
  • Highest: INR 1,800,000/month (approx. USD 21,360 or 35,244,000 NGN/year).

Challenges

• Low Earnings Compared to Global Standards: Nigerian dermatologists earn significantly less than their counterparts abroad (e.g., $5,912/year in Nigeria vs. $75,460/year in Canada in 2019).
• Brain Drain: Many dermatologists migrate due to better opportunities abroad, exacerbating shortages in Nigeria.
• Taxation: Salaries are reported as gross (pre-tax). Net salary varies based on tax rates, which differ by sector and location.

Job Requirements

• Education: Completed graduate medical education program (MBBS + residency in dermatology).
• Certification: Required by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
• Experience: Impacts salary significantly.
• Language: Proficiency in English; knowledge of local languages is beneficial.
• Work Hours: Typically 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. Flexible hours are common.
• Overtime: Rare, as most dermatologists are salaried.

Where to Find Jobs

• Common Locations: Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Ibadan, Benin City, Jos, Ilorin.
• Employers: Hospitals, private practices, and healthcare centers like the National Hospital, Abuja.
• Online Platforms: Job boards like www.jobandsalaryabroad.com list dermatologist opportunities.