Sociology Jobs Salary in Nigeria: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

Note: Specific salary data for sociology jobs in Nigeria is limited in public sources, as compensation varies widely by role, sector, and experience. This article synthesizes available information from web sources, job listings, and industry trends to provide a comprehensive overview of sociology-related job salaries in Nigeria as of June 2025. All salary figures are monthly, in Nigerian Naira (NGN), unless otherwise stated, and account for inflation (30–35% annually) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD). Estimates are based on data for comparable roles and sectors where exact figures are unavailable.

Introduction

Sociology, the study of social behavior, institutions, and structures, equips graduates with versatile skills in research, critical thinking, and understanding societal dynamics. In Nigeria, sociology graduates find opportunities in diverse sectors, including government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private companies, academia, and community development. The demand for sociologists is growing as organizations value their ability to analyze social trends, inform policy, and address societal challenges like poverty, health, and education.

Salaries for sociology-related jobs in Nigeria vary significantly based on role, sector, experience, and location. While public-sector jobs may offer lower base salaries but stable benefits, private-sector and NGO roles often provide higher pay, especially for specialized positions. This article provides a detailed breakdown of sociology job salaries in Nigeria, including estimated ranges, allowances, benefits, and factors influencing compensation, based on 2025 economic conditions and available data.

Sociology Jobs in Nigeria: Overview

Sociology graduates in Nigeria can pursue careers in various fields, leveraging their skills in research, communication, and social analysis. Common roles include:

Human Resources (HR) Specialist: Managing employee relations, recruitment, and training.
Social Researcher: Conducting studies on societal trends for government, NGOs, or research firms.
Community Development Worker: Designing and implementing programs to address community needs.
Policy Analyst: Evaluating public policies and their societal impact.
Social Worker: Supporting vulnerable populations in hospitals, schools, or NGOs.
Public Relations (PR) Specialist: Managing organizational communication and public image.
Academic (Lecturer/Professor): Teaching and conducting research in universities.
Program Coordinator (NGOs): Overseeing development projects and advocacy initiatives.

These roles span sectors like government, private companies, NGOs, education, healthcare, and market research. The versatility of a sociology degree allows graduates to work in banks, manufacturing firms, schools, and international organizations, as noted in sources like usmlelab.com.

Salary Context in Nigeria’s Sociology-Related Sectors

Salaries for sociology jobs are influenced by several factors:

Sector: Private companies and NGOs often pay more than government roles, though government jobs offer benefits like pensions.
Experience Level: Entry-level roles earn less than mid-level or senior positions.
Education: Advanced degrees (e.g., Master’s, PhD) significantly increase earning potential.
Location: Salaries in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja are 20–30% higher due to higher living costs.
Economic Conditions: Inflation (30–35% annually) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD) erode real wages, though employers adjust salaries to remain competitive.
Demand for Skills: Specialized skills in research, data analysis, or gender studies boost earnings.

General salary ranges for sociology graduates, as reported by usmlelab.com, span ₦50,000–₦500,000 monthly, depending on the employer and role. More specific data from job listings and salary surveys provide further insight into role-specific compensation.

Estimated Salary Breakdown for Sociology Jobs

Based on available data from sources like SalaryExplorer, MyJobMag, and job listings, the following salary estimates are proposed for key sociology-related roles in Nigeria. Figures are monthly, in NGN, and adjusted for 2025 economic conditions.

1. Human Resources (HR) Specialist

Salary Range: ₦100,000–₦400,000 (Entry-Level); ₦500,000–₦1,000,000 (Senior-Level)
Responsibilities: Managing recruitment, employee relations, training, and conflict resolution.
Rationale: Exam Scholars notes HR as a natural fit for sociology graduates due to their understanding of social behavior. Entry-level HR roles in private firms (e.g., banks, telecoms) pay ₦100,000–₦250,000, while senior roles in multinationals can reach ₦1,000,000 with bonuses.
Example Employers: MTN Nigeria, Dangote Group, banks.

2. Social Researcher

Salary Range: ₦150,000–₦450,000 (Entry-Level); ₦500,000–₦800,000 (Mid-Level)
Responsibilities: Conducting social research for NGOs, government, or research firms.
Rationale: Exam Scholars highlights social research as a key role, with salaries varying by employer. Job listings (e.g., Malaria Consortium Field Supervisor) require sociology degrees and offer competitive pay for research skills.
Example Employers: NGOs, academic institutions, government agencies.

3. Community Development Worker

Salary Range: ₦80,000–₦250,000 (Entry-Level); ₦300,000–₦600,000 (Mid-Level)
Responsibilities: Developing and implementing community programs to address poverty, health, or education.
Rationale: Disciplines.ng notes high demand for community development workers in Nigeria’s non-profit sector. Salaries align with NGO roles, with higher pay for experienced workers in international organizations.
Example Employers: COOPI, Save the Children, local NGOs.

4. Policy Analyst

Salary Range: ₦150,000–₦400,000 (Entry-Level); ₦500,000–₦1,200,000 (Senior-Level)
Responsibilities: Evaluating policies and advising government or organizations.
Rationale: Exam Scholars emphasizes policy analysis as a sociology role, with salaries reflecting analytical expertise. Senior roles in government or international organizations (e.g., African Union) pay higher, up to ₦1,200,000.
Example Employers: Federal government, African Union, consultancy firms.

5. Social Worker

Salary Range: ₦80,000–₦200,000 (Entry-Level); ₦250,000–₦500,000 (Mid-Level)
Responsibilities: Supporting vulnerable populations in healthcare, schools, or communities.
Rationale: Exam Scholars notes demand for social workers in Nigeria’s hospitals and NGOs. Salaries are lower in public institutions but higher in private or international NGOs.
Example Employers: Hospitals, schools, UNICEF.

6. Public Relations (PR) Specialist

Salary Range: ₦100,000–₦300,000 (Entry-Level); ₦400,000–₦800,000 (Senior-Level)
Responsibilities: Managing organizational communication and public image.
Rationale: Exam Scholars identifies PR as a sociology career, with salaries reflecting corporate demand in Lagos. Senior PR roles in multinationals offer higher pay with bonuses.
Example Employers: Telecoms, banks, advertising agencies.

7. Academic (Lecturer/Professor – Sociology)

Salary Range: ₦200,000–₦400,000 (Entry-Level Lecturer); ₦485,000–₦737,000 (Professor)
Responsibilities: Teaching, research, and publishing in universities.
Rationale: SalaryExplorer reports an average of ₦485,000 for sociology professors, with a range of ₦257,000–₦737,000 based on experience and education. Entry-level lecturers earn less, around ₦200,000–₦400,000, per MyJobMag.
Example Employers: University of Lagos, IITA, private universities.

8. Specialized Roles (e.g., ESG Manager, Head of Security)

ESG Manager: ₦3,000,000 (Senior-Level)
- Responsibilities: Managing environmental, social, and governance programs.
- Rationale: Job listings by Global Profilers report ₦3,000,000 monthly for ESG Managers with sociology degrees.
Head of Security: ₦300,000–₦350,000
- Responsibilities: Overseeing security operations with sociological insights.
- Rationale: PG Consulting lists this role for sociology graduates with 10+ years’ experience.
Example Employers: Multinational corporations, security firms.

9. General Sociologist

Salary Range: ₦255,000–₦811,000 (Average: ₦520,000)
Responsibilities: Conducting sociological research or advising on social issues.
Rationale: Worldsalaries.com reports an annual average of ₦6,241,000 (≈₦520,000 monthly), ranging from ₦3,061,300 (₦255,000 monthly) to ₦9,731,500 (₦811,000 monthly).
Example Employers: Research firms, government, NGOs.

Additional Benefits

Sociology professionals often receive benefits that enhance total compensation:

Health Insurance: Common in private firms, NGOs, and government roles.
Pension: Mandatory contributory scheme in public and formal private sectors.
Bonuses: Performance-based in private companies (₦50,000–₦500,000 annually).
Training: Certifications or workshops, especially in NGOs and academia.
Housing/Transport Allowances: Provided by government and some private employers (₦20,000–₦100,000 monthly).
Pay Raises: Worldsalaries.com notes a 12% raise every 19 months for sociologists, above the national average of 8%.

Salary Breakdown by Education Level

Education significantly impacts earnings, per Worldsalaries.com:

Bachelor’s Degree: ₦355,000 (average)
Master’s Degree: ₦488,000 (37% more than Bachelor’s)
PhD: ₦800,000 (64% more than Master’s)

Advanced degrees are common for high-paying roles like professors or policy analysts.

Factors Influencing Sociology Job Salaries

Sector: Private companies (e.g., banks, telecoms) and international NGOs pay more than government roles, which offer stability and pensions.
Experience: Senior roles (5–10+ years) command 2–3 times entry-level pay.
Location: Lagos and Abuja offer higher salaries due to living costs and job concentration.
Skills: Expertise in data analysis, gender studies, or policy evaluation boosts earnings.
Economic Conditions: Inflation and naira depreciation require salary adjustments, though public-sector raises lag.
Gender: Worldsalaries.com reports a 13% pay gap, with male sociologists earning ₦6,529,400 annually (≈₦544,000 monthly) and females ₦5,784,200 (≈₦482,000 monthly).

Comparison With Related Roles

Psychology Graduates: ₦80,000–₦400,000 (similar to sociology, but specialized roles like clinical psychology pay more).
Political Science Graduates: ₦100,000–₦500,000 (comparable, with policy roles overlapping).
Social Work (Non-Sociology): ₦70,000–₦300,000 (lower than sociology due to less analytical focus).
Economics Graduates: ₦150,000–₦600,000 (higher due to demand in finance).

Sociology salaries are competitive with social sciences but lower than technical fields like software engineering (₦200,000–₦2,000,000).

Challenges and Considerations

Limited Job Availability: Sociology jobs face competition due to fewer specialized roles compared to fields like engineering.
Inflation: High inflation (30–35%) erodes real wages, requiring frequent adjustments.
Taxation: Income tax (7–24%) reduces take-home pay.
Public Perception: Sociology is sometimes undervalued, with misconceptions about career prospects.
Skill Development: Continuous training in research or data analysis is essential to remain competitive.

Conclusion

Sociology jobs in Nigeria offer diverse career paths with salaries ranging from ₦80,000–₦500,000 for entry-level roles to ₦500,000–₦3,000,000 for senior or specialized positions like ESG Managers. The average sociologist earns around ₦520,000 monthly, with higher pay for advanced degrees and private-sector roles. Benefits like health insurance, pensions, and training enhance compensation, though economic challenges like inflation and job scarcity persist.

Graduates can maximize earnings by pursuing advanced degrees, specializing in high-demand skills, and targeting private or international organizations. For precise salary details, candidates should consult job listings on platforms like MyJobMag, Indeed, or LinkedIn, or contact employers directly. As Nigeria’s demand for sociological expertise grows, sociology graduates are well-positioned to contribute to social development and secure rewarding careers.

Sources

usmlelab.com: Sociology Jobs and Salaries in Nigeria 2023.
Exam Scholars: Job Opportunities for Sociology Graduates in Nigeria (2024).
Applied Worldwide: Best Sociology Jobs in Nigeria (2021).
Jooble: Sociology Jobs in Nigeria (2025).
MyJobMag: Sociologist and Professor Sociology Jobs in Nigeria (2025).
SalaryExplorer: Professor – Sociology Average Salary in Nigeria (2024).
mylittlegreenthumb.in: Sociology Jobs Salary in Nigeria.
Worldsalaries.com: Average Sociologist Salary in Nigeria for 2024.
Disciplines.ng: Career Opportunities for Sociology Graduates in Nigeria (2024).
Indeed.com: 16 Highest Paying Sociology Degree Jobs (2024).

Disclaimer: Salary estimates are based on available data and industry trends. Actual salaries may vary. For accurate information, contact employers or refer to job listings.