B.Sc. Nursing Salary in Nigeria: Full Details Complete Breakdown (2025)
A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Nursing is a highly respected qualification in Nigeria, opening doors to careers in healthcare, primarily in hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations. Salaries for B.Sc. Nursing graduates vary based on sector (public or private), experience, location, and employer type. This response provides a comprehensive breakdown of B.Sc. Nursing salaries in Nigeria as of June 2025, including components, roles, and influencing factors, drawing from available data and prior responses.
1. Overview of B.Sc. Nursing Salaries in Nigeria
B.Sc. Nursing graduates, also known as registered nurses (RNs), are in high demand in Nigeria due to healthcare needs and the ongoing shortage of skilled nurses. Salaries reflect their specialized training but are impacted by economic factors like inflation and sector disparities.
- Average Monthly Salary:
- Entry-Level: ₦80,000–₦250,000.
- Mid-Level: ₦200,000–₦500,000.
- Senior-Level: ₦400,000–₦800,000+.
- Average Gross Salary: ~₦250,000/month (including allowances), ranging from ₦100,000 (lowest) to ₦650,000 (highest).
- Median Monthly Salary: ~₦200,000, meaning half of B.Sc. nurses earn less and half earn more.
- Net Salary: After deductions (e.g., taxes, pension), net salaries range from ₦70,000–₦600,000/month.
- Minimum Wage Context: The national minimum wage of ₦70,000 (effective July 2024) applies to public sector entry-level roles, but B.Sc. nurses typically earn above this. [Previous Response]
2. Salary Breakdown by Components
Salaries for B.Sc. nurses consist of basic salary, allowances, bonuses, and deductions. Below is a detailed breakdown.
2.1 Basic Salary
- Definition: Fixed monthly pay, excluding allowances or bonuses, used to calculate other components.
- Range:
- Entry-Level: ₦80,000–₦200,000/month.
- Mid-Level: ₦150,000–₦350,000/month.
- Senior-Level: ₦300,000–₦600,000/month.
- Example: An entry-level nurse in a public hospital may have a basic salary of ₦100,000/month.
2.2 Allowances
- Housing Allowance: 20–40% of basic salary, ~₦20,000–₦150,000/month.
- Transport Allowance: ₦10,000–₦50,000/month for commuting costs.
- Medical Allowance: ₦10,000–₦30,000/month or employer-provided health insurance.
- Call-Duty Allowance: ₦20,000–₦100,000/month for after-hours shifts, common in hospitals.
- Shift Allowance: ₦10,000–₦50,000/month for night or weekend shifts.
- Other Allowances: Uniform, hazard (for high-risk areas like infectious disease units), or training allowances.
- Example: A mid-level nurse with a ₦200,000 basic salary may receive ₦50,000 housing, ₦20,000 transport, ₦30,000 call-duty, and ₦10,000 shift allowances, totaling ₦110,000.
2.3 Bonuses
- Performance Bonuses: ₦50,000–₦200,000/year, more common in private hospitals or NGOs.
- 13th-Month Salary: Equivalent to one month’s basic or gross salary, paid year-end by some employers.
- Special Bonuses: For roles in high-demand areas (e.g., critical care), ~₦100,000/year.
- Example: A nurse in a private hospital may earn a ₦100,000 annual bonus (~₦8,333/month equivalent).
2.4 Deductions
- Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) Tax: 7–24% of taxable income after reliefs (e.g., ₦200,000 + 20% of gross income).
- Example: For ₦300,000 gross salary, PAYE may be ₦15,000–₦25,000/month.
- Pension Contribution: 8% of basic salary (employee) + 10% (employer).
- Example: ₦16,000 employee contribution for ₦200,000 basic salary.
- National Housing Fund (NHF): 2.5% of basic salary (~₦5,000 for ₦200,000), optional in private sector.
- Other Deductions: Union dues or cooperative contributions (e.g., ₦2,000–₦5,000).
- Total Deductions: 10–20% of gross salary.
- Example: Gross salary of ₦300,000 with ₦40,000 deductions yields ₦260,000 net salary.
2.5 Gross vs. Net Salary
- Gross Salary: Basic salary + allowances + bonuses.
- Example: Basic ₦200,000 + ₦110,000 allowances + ₦8,333 bonus = ₦318,333/month.
- Net Salary: Gross salary – deductions.
- Example: ₦318,333 – ₦40,000 = ₦278,333/month.
3. Salary Breakdown by Role and Sector
B.Sc. nurses work in various roles across public and private sectors. Below are salary breakdowns for key positions, based on 2024–2025 data and prior responses.
3.1 Public Sector
Public sector roles, governed by the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), offer job security and structured pay but are generally lower than private sector equivalents.
- Registered Nurse (Entry-Level, CONHESS 07):
- Basic Salary: ₦100,000–₦150,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦30,000), Transport (₦15,000), Call-Duty (₦20,000), Shift (₦10,000).
- Bonus: ₦50,000/year (~₦4,167/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦175,167–₦225,167/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦8,000–₦12,000), Pension (₦8,000–₦12,000), NHF (₦2,500–₦3,750) = ₦18,500–₦27,750.
- Net Salary: ₦156,667–₦197,417/month.
- Senior Nurse (Mid-Level, CONHESS 09–11, 5–10 Years):
- Basic Salary: ₦200,000–₦350,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦50,000–₦80,000), Transport (₦20,000–₦30,000), Call-Duty (₦30,000–₦50,000), Shift (₦10,000–₦20,000).
- Bonus: ₦100,000/year (~₦8,333/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦308,333–₦488,333/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦15,000–₦25,000), Pension (₦16,000–₦28,000), NHF (₦5,000–₦8,750) = ₦36,000–₦61,750.
- Net Salary: ₦272,333–₦426,583/month.
- Chief Nursing Officer (Senior-Level, CONHESS 13–14, 10+ Years):
- Basic Salary: ₦400,000–₦600,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦100,000–₦150,000), Transport (₦30,000–₦50,000), Call-Duty (₦50,000–₦100,000), Shift (₦20,000).
- Bonus: ₦200,000/year (~₦16,667/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦600,667–₦836,667/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦30,000–₦50,000), Pension (₦32,000–₦48,000), NHF (₦10,000–₦15,000) = ₦72,000–₦113,000.
- Net Salary: ₦528,667–₦723,667/month.
- Employers: Federal/state hospitals, teaching hospitals (e.g., LUTH, UCH).
3.2 Private Sector
Private sector roles offer higher pay but less job security, with salaries varying by hospital size and location.
- Registered Nurse (Entry-Level, Private Hospital):
- Basic Salary: ₦80,000–₦200,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦20,000–₦50,000), Transport (₦10,000–₦20,000), Shift (₦10,000).
- Bonus: ₦50,000/year (~₦4,167/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦120,167–₦280,167/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦6,000–₦15,000), Pension (₦6,400–₦16,000), NHF (₦2,000–₦5,000) = ₦14,400–₦36,000.
- Net Salary: ₦105,767–₦244,167/month.
- Specialist Nurse (Mid-Level, e.g., Critical Care, 5–10 Years):
- Basic Salary: ₦200,000–₦350,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦50,000–₦80,000), Transport (₦20,000–₦30,000), Shift (₦20,000–₦30,000), Hazard (₦10,000–₦20,000).
- Bonus: ₦150,000/year (~₦12,500/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦312,500–₦502,500/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦15,000–₦25,000), Pension (₦16,000–₦28,000), NHF (₦5,000–₦8,750) = ₦36,000–₦61,750.
- Net Salary: ₦276,500–₦440,750/month.
- Nursing Manager (Senior-Level, 10+ Years):
- Basic Salary: ₦350,000–₦600,000/month.
- Allowances: Housing (₦80,000–₦150,000), Transport (₦30,000–₦50,000), Shift (₦20,000–₦40,000), Hazard (₦20,000–₦30,000).
- Bonus: ₦200,000/year (~₦16,667/month).
- Gross Salary: ₦500,667–₦836,667/month.
- Deductions: PAYE (₦25,000–₦50,000), Pension (₦28,000–₦48,000), NHF (₦8,750–₦15,000) = ₦61,750–₦113,000.
- Net Salary: ₦438,917–₦723,667/month.
- Employers: Private hospitals (e.g., Reddington, Eko Hospital), NGOs, clinics.
3.3 Specialized Nursing Roles
- Critical Care Nurse: ₦200,000–₦600,000/month (hazard and shift allowances higher).
- Pediatric Nurse: ₦150,000–₦500,000/month.
- Oncology Nurse: ₦200,000–₦550,000/month (specialized training boosts pay).
- Telemedicine Nurse: ₦200,000–₦600,000/month (emerging role, private sector/NGOs).
4. Salary by Experience
- 0–2 Years: ₦80,000–₦250,000/month (~₦960,000–₦3,000,000/year).
- 2–5 Years: ₦150,000–₦400,000/month (~₦1,800,000–₦4,800,000/year), ~30–50% increase.
- 5–10 Years: ₦200,000–₦500,000/month (~₦2,400,000–₦6,000,000/year).
- 10+ Years: ₦400,000–₦800,000+/month (~₦4,800,000–₦9,600,000+/year).
5. Salary by Location
- Lagos: ₦100,000–₦800,000/month; private hospitals and NGOs dominate.
- Abuja: ₦80,000–₦600,000/month; strong public sector presence.
- Port Harcourt: ₦100,000–₦600,000/month; oil industry supports healthcare.
- Enugu/Anambra: ₦80,000–₦400,000/month; emerging private sector.
- Rural Areas: ₦70,000–₦200,000/month; limited opportunities, lower pay.
6. Factors Influencing B.Sc. Nursing Salaries
- Sector:
- Public Sector: Offers stability, pensions, and structured allowances (CONHESS); entry-level pay is lower (~₦100,000–₦150,000) but includes job security.
- Private Sector: Higher pay (up to ₦800,000 for senior roles) but less security; multinationals (e.g., NGOs) pay more.
- Experience: Most significant factor; salaries double after 5–10 years.
- Specialization: Critical care, oncology, or telemedicine nurses earn 20–30% more due to niche skills.
- Education/Certifications:
- B.Sc. Nursing is the minimum; additional certifications (e.g., Critical Care Nursing, Midwifery) increase pay by 10–20%.
- M.Sc. Nursing boosts salaries by 20–40%, especially for academic or leadership roles.
- Employer Type:
- Multinationals/NGOs: Pay 50–100% more (e.g., Médecins Sans Frontières).
- Local Hospitals: Lower salaries, fewer benefits.
- Economic Conditions: Inflation (33.4% in 2024) erodes real income; some private employers adjust salaries by 5–20% annually. [Previous Response]
- Workload: Nurses with call-duty or night shifts earn higher allowances.
- Gender: Limited data suggests no significant gender-based salary differences in nursing.
7. Roles and Responsibilities
- Registered Nurse: Provide patient care, administer medications, monitor health conditions.
- Specialist Nurse: Focus on areas like critical care, pediatrics, or oncology, requiring advanced training.
- Nursing Manager: Oversee nursing staff, manage schedules, ensure compliance with standards.
- Public Health Nurse: Work in community health, disease prevention, and education.
- Telemedicine Nurse: Provide remote consultations, growing with digital health trends.
- Key Skills: Clinical expertise, empathy, communication, teamwork, and stress management.
8. Qualifications and Certifications
- Minimum Education: B.Sc. Nursing (5 years); SSCE credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology required for admission.
- Licensure: Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- Certifications:
- Critical Care Nursing, Midwifery, or Pediatric Nursing (via NMCN or international bodies).
- Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
- Advanced Degrees: M.Sc. Nursing or Ph.D. for academic, research, or leadership roles.
- NYSC: Mandatory one-year service, often in hospitals or clinics, providing practical experience.
9. Benefits and Perks
- Public Sector: Pension, health insurance, housing/transport allowances, job security, paid leave.
- Private Sector: Performance bonuses, medical insurance, training opportunities, flexible schedules.
- NGOs: Higher allowances, international exposure, and travel perks.
- Specialized Roles: Additional allowances (e.g., hazard, shift) and training sponsorships.
10. Challenges
- Low Entry-Level Pay: Starting salaries (~₦80,000–₦150,000) are modest given inflation and workload.
- High Workload: Nurses often work long hours, with call-duty and night shifts.
- Brain Drain: Many nurses emigrate for better pay (e.g., UK, US), reducing local supply.
- Job Competition: High demand but limited high-paying roles require specialization or experience.
- Economic Instability: Inflation reduces real income; salary adjustments lag in public sector. [Previous Response]
- Workplace Risks: Exposure to infectious diseases, requiring hazard allowances.
11. Job Opportunities and Demand
- Industries: Hospitals, clinics, public health, NGOs, academia, telemedicine.
- Employers: LUTH, UCH, Reddington Hospital, Médecins Sans Frontières, WHO, private clinics.
- Vacancies: Thousands of nursing jobs listed in 2025 (e.g., MyJobMag, HotNigerianJobs), especially in urban areas.
- Demand: High due to healthcare shortages; Nigeria needs ~400,000 more nurses to meet WHO standards.
- Competitive Edge: First Class/2:1 degrees, certifications, and experience in high-demand areas (e.g., critical care).
12. Career Progression and Salary Growth
- Entry to Mid-Level: 3–5 years, 30–50% salary increase with experience or certifications.
- Mid to Senior-Level: 7–10 years, doubling possible with specialization or M.Sc.
- Upskilling: Certifications (e.g., Midwifery) or M.Sc. boost pay by 20–40%.
- Sector Switching: Moving to private hospitals or NGOs increases earnings.
13. Comparison with Related Professions
- B.Sc. Nursing vs. Auxiliary Nurses: ₦55,000/month (auxiliary nurses) vs. ₦100,000–₦800,000/month (B.Sc. nurses). [Previous Response]
- B.Sc. Nursing vs. Medical Doctors: ₦300,000–₦1,500,000/month (doctors) vs. ₦100,000–₦800,000/month (nurses). [Previous Response]
- B.Sc. Nursing vs. Pharmacists: ₦150,000–₦850,000/month (pharmacists) vs. ₦100,000–₦800,000/month (nurses). [Previous Response]
- B.Sc. Nursing vs. Biochemists/Biotechnologists: ₦100,000–₦1,000,000/month (biotech) vs. ₦100,000–₦800,000/month (nurses). [Previous Responses]
14. Economic Context
- Inflation: 33.4% in 2024 erodes real income; some private employers (e.g., NGOs) adjust salaries by 10–20%. [Previous Response]
- Minimum Wage: ₦70,000 (2024) ensures baseline pay for public sector entry-level roles. [Previous Response]
- Multinationals/NGOs: Pay in USD equivalents or higher allowances, boosting real income.
15. How to Maximize Earnings
- Education: Pursue M.Sc. Nursing or certifications (e.g., Critical Care, ACLS).
- Specialization: Train in high-demand areas like critical care, oncology, or telemedicine.
- Experience: Gain 3–5 years in private hospitals or NGOs.
- Location: Work in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt for higher pay.
- Networking: Use LinkedIn, MyJobMag, or HotNigerianJobs for opportunities.
- International Opportunities: Register with global agencies for overseas roles with higher pay.
16. Conclusion
B.Sc. Nursing graduates in Nigeria earn ₦80,000–₦800,000+/month, with an average gross salary of ~₦250,000. Public sector roles (CONHESS) offer stability, while private sector and NGO roles provide higher pay, especially for specialized nurses. Demand is strong due to healthcare shortages, but challenges like low entry-level pay, inflation, and brain drain persist. To maximize earnings, pursue certifications, specialize, and target urban or multinational employers. For current job listings, check MyJobMag, Jobberman, or LinkedIn.
Note: Salary figures are estimates based on 2024–2025 data and may vary with economic changes. Verify with employers or platforms like MySalaryScale for accuracy.
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