Highest Paying Engineering Jobs in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the highest-paying engineering jobs in Nigeria for 2025, including salary ranges, qualifications, industry demand, and factors influencing earnings. The data is compiled from various sources, including job postings, salary surveys, and industry reports, reflecting the current state of the engineering job market in Nigeria.

Overview of Engineering Salaries in Nigeria

Engineering is one of the most lucrative and in-demand professions in Nigeria, driven by the country’s oil and gas sector, infrastructure development, and growing tech industry. Salaries vary significantly based on specialization, experience, location, and employer. Petroleum engineering consistently ranks as the highest-paying engineering discipline, followed by other fields like computer engineering, software engineering, and civil engineering. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top-paying engineering jobs in Nigeria for 2025.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Engineering Jobs

The following are the top 10 highest-paying engineering disciplines in Nigeria, with salary ranges, roles, and key details.

1. Petroleum Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦8,000,000 – ₦15,000,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦666,667 – ₦1,250,000
• Role: Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas, overseeing drilling operations and optimizing production. They are critical to Nigeria’s economy, a major oil-producing nation.
• Key Employers: Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil
• Demand: High, due to Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves and OPEC membership. The sector’s competitiveness drives top salaries.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering or related field
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) certification after four years of professional experience
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level (0-3 years): ₦6,000,000 – ₦12,000,000 annually
  • Mid-Level (4-9 years): ₦12,000,000 – ₦20,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level (10+ years): ₦15,000,000 – ₦30,000,000 annually

2. Civil Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦5,000,000 – ₦10,255,060
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦71,500 – ₦225,000
• Role: Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, dams, and buildings. They ensure safety and sustainability in public and private sector projects.
• Key Employers: Julius Berger Nigeria, government agencies, multinational construction firms
• Demand: Strong, driven by Nigeria’s infrastructure development, especially in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN registration and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification for higher roles
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level (0-1 year): ₦858,461 annually (≈₦71,500 monthly)
  • Early Career (1-4 years): ₦958,178 annually (≈₦80,000 monthly)
  • Mid-Career (5-10 years): ₦1,560,000 annually (≈₦130,000 monthly)

3. Computer Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦3,088,622 – ₦8,088,622
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦257,385 – ₦674,052
• Role: Computer engineers design and develop computer systems for applications in industries like telecommunications, banking, and research. They work on hardware for cars, smartphones, and custom servers.
• Key Employers: Tech firms, banks, research institutions
• Demand: High, particularly in tech hubs like Lagos, with a global growth projection of 11.26% for related fields (2022-2030).
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or related field
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN certification for advanced roles
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦3,088,622 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦5,000,000 – ₦6,500,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦8,088,622 annually

4. Software Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦2,500,000 – ₦8,660,085
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦200,000 – ₦721,674
• Role: Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications, working with AI, cloud systems, and security protocols. They are in demand across tech, finance, and healthcare sectors.
• Key Employers: Andela, Flutterwave, Paystack, MTN, startups in Lagos
• Demand: Rapidly growing, with Nigeria’s tech sector booming and a 20% salary increase in 2025. Lagos hosts five of Africa’s seven tech unicorns.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
  • Proficiency in Python, Java, JavaScript, TensorFlow, or PyTorch
  • Coding bootcamps or certifications for entry-level roles
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦2,500,000 – ₦3,869,898 annually
  • Mid-Level (5-8 years): ₦7,000,000 – ₦12,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦8,660,085 annually

5. Electrical Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦1,235,236 – ₦10,000,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦102,936 – ₦833,333
• Role: Electrical engineers design and maintain electrical systems for power generation, telecommunications, and manufacturing. They work on appliances, industrial equipment, and military applications.
• Key Employers: Power companies, MTN, Airtel, manufacturing firms
• Demand: High, especially with Nigeria’s focus on improving power distribution.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) certifications
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦1,235,236 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦8,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦10,000,000 annually

6. Aeronautical Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦4,550,000 – ₦10,000,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦379,167 – ₦833,333
• Role: Aeronautical engineers design, develop, and maintain aircraft and spacecraft, ensuring safety and efficiency in the aviation sector.
• Key Employers: Nigerian Air Force, private airlines (e.g., Air Peace, Arik Air)
• Demand: Moderate to high, driven by Nigeria’s aviation industry growth.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering or related field
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN certification
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦4,550,000 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦6,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦10,000,000 annually

7. Chemical Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦3,359,000 – ₦9,000,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦279,917 – ₦750,000
• Role: Chemical engineers optimize processes to convert raw materials into products in industries like pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing, and oil and gas.
• Key Employers: Unilever Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Dangote Group
• Demand: Strong, particularly in manufacturing and oil sectors.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN certification
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦3,359,000 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦7,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦9,000,000 annually

8. Mechanical Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦1,200,000 – ₦10,000,000
• 3Monthly Salary Range: ₦100,000 – ₦833,333
• Role: Mechanical engineers design and maintain mechanical systems and machinery in industries like manufacturing, transportation, and construction.
• Key Employers: Manufacturing firms, construction companies, government agencies
• Demand: Stable, with opportunities in diverse sectors.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN certification
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦1,200,000 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦6,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦10,000,000 annually

9. Network Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦6,500,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦541,667
• Role: Network engineers design, implement, and maintain communication networks, ensuring security and efficiency for organizations.
• Key Employers: MTN, Airtel, IT consultancy firms
• Demand: Growing, with increasing reliance on telecommunications and IT infrastructure.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • Certifications like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦3,000,000 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦5,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦6,500,000 annually

10. Biomedical Engineering

• Average Annual Salary: ₦2,000,000 – ₦4,000,000
• Monthly Salary Range: ₦166,667 – ₦333,333
• Role: Biomedical engineers design medical devices like prosthetics and pacemakers, blending engineering with healthcare solutions.
• Key Employers: Hospitals, medical device companies
• Demand: Emerging, with growing healthcare needs in Nigeria.
• Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering
  • Five SSCE credit passes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and one other science subject)
  • COREN certification
• Salary by Experience:
  • Entry-Level: ₦2,000,000 annually
  • Mid-Level: ₦3,000,000 annually
  • Senior-Level: Up to ₦4,000,000 annually

Factors Influencing Engineering Salaries

Several factors impact engineering salaries in Nigeria:

• Experience: Salaries increase significantly with experience. Engineers with 2-5 years of experience earn 32% more than fresh graduates, while those with over 10 years see a 21% increase.
• Education: Higher qualifications like a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree boost earnings by 24% and 29%, respectively. COREN certification is often required for senior roles.
• Location: Engineers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt earn 20% more than those in other cities due to higher demand and cost of living.
• Industry: Oil and gas, tech, and construction offer the highest salaries, while government roles provide job security but lower pay.
• Employer: Multinational companies (e.g., Shell, Chevron) and tech unicorns pay significantly more than smaller firms.
• Certifications: Additional certifications like PMP, CCNA, or NEMSA enhance earning potential.

Benefits and Perks

Engineers in Nigeria may receive:

• Statutory Benefits:
  • Pension: 10% employer contribution, 8% employee contribution
  • NSITF: 1% employer contribution
  • ITF: 1% employer contribution for firms with ≥5 employees or ₦50 million turnover
  • Paid Leave: 6 days annual leave, 12 days sick leave, maternity (12 weeks private sector, 16 weeks public sector), paternity (14 days)
• Non-Statutory Benefits:
  • Bonuses: Performance bonuses (e.g., 48% of cybersecurity engineers receive bonuses)
  • Housing/Transport Allowances: Common in oil and gas and construction sectors
  • Training: Employers offer upskilling programs, especially in tech
  • Health Insurance: Provided by larger firms

Job Outlook and Opportunities

• Demand: The engineering sector is robust, with a projected 3.1% growth in construction and 20% in tech by 2025. Oil and gas, tech, and infrastructure are key drivers.
• Career Advancement: Engineers can move into managerial roles or specialize further (e.g., AI, cybersecurity). Advanced degrees or certifications accelerate promotions.
• Challenges: Economic fluctuations and reliance on oil can affect job stability in some sectors. Tech and infrastructure are more resilient.

How to Maximize Earnings

• Upskilling: Learn in-demand skills like AI, Python, or cloud computing for tech roles, or PMP for project management.
• Certifications: Obtain COREN, CCNA, or PMP certifications for higher pay.
• Relocation: Move to Lagos or Abuja for better opportunities.
• Employer Change: Multinational firms or tech startups offer higher salaries.
• Networking: Join professional bodies like the Nigerian Society of Engineers for job alerts and opportunities.

Conclusion

Petroleum engineering is the highest-paying engineering discipline in Nigeria in 2025, with salaries ranging from ₦8,000,000 to ₦15,000,000 annually, driven by the oil and gas sector’s prominence. Civil, computer, and software engineering follow, with strong demand in infrastructure and tech. Salaries are influenced by experience, education, location, and employer type. With Nigeria’s focus on infrastructure and digital transformation, engineering remains a lucrative career path, offering financial rewards and growth opportunities for skilled professionals.