Urban and Regional Planning Salary in Nigeria: Full Details

Urban and Regional Planning Salary in Nigeria: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

Note: This article compiles data from sources such as professions.ng, jobscholaraccess.com, MySalaryScale, and industry trends, supplemented by economic conditions and posts on X, to provide a comprehensive overview of salaries for urban and regional planners in Nigeria as of June 2025. All monetary figures are in Nigerian Naira (NGN), unless stated otherwise, and account for inflation (30–35% annually) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD). Estimates are based on reported data and adjusted for 2025 economic conditions. Limited data for specific roles may lead to reliance on broader industry benchmarks.

Introduction

Urban and regional planning in Nigeria is a critical field focused on organizing spaces to foster sustainable development, addressing rapid urbanization, housing deficits, infrastructure needs, and environmental challenges. Professionals in this discipline work across public, private, and non-governmental sectors, designing master plans, managing land use, and ensuring sustainable growth in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. With Nigeria’s urban population projected to exceed 70% by 2050, the demand for skilled planners is rising, making salary insights essential for career planning.

Salaries for urban and regional planners in Nigeria vary based on experience, qualifications, sector, and location. This article provides a detailed breakdown of salary expectations, including base pay, allowances, deductions, and factors influencing compensation, adjusted for 2025 economic conditions. It includes sample calculations, comparisons with related roles, and challenges faced by planners, drawing on available data and industry trends.

Urban and Regional Planning: Overview

Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans for land use and physical facilities in cities, towns, and regions. Their roles include:

  • Land Use Planning: Designing layouts for residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
  • Infrastructure Development: Planning transportation, water, and sanitation systems.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Incorporating green infrastructure and climate adaptation measures.
  • Policy Analysis: Collaborating with government officials, developers, and communities to create master plans.
  • Data Analysis: Conducting field investigations and analyzing demographic, economic, and environmental data.

Planners work in diverse settings, including government agencies (e.g., Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority), real estate firms (e.g., Mixta Africa), construction companies (e.g., Julius Berger), NGOs, and international organizations. Qualifications typically include a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, with advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP) enhancing earning potential.

Salary Context in Nigeria

Salaries for urban and regional planners in Nigeria are influenced by:

  • Experience: Entry-level planners earn less than mid-level or senior planners.
  • Qualifications: Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., NITP, RTPI) increase salaries.
  • Sector: Private sector roles often offer higher pay than public sector jobs, though government roles provide stability.
  • Location: Urban centers like Lagos and Abuja pay more due to higher living costs and demand.
  • Economic Conditions: Inflation (30–35%) and naira depreciation (₦1,600–₦1,800 per USD) erode real income.
  • Organization Type: International organizations and large private firms pay above local averages.

The average salary for urban planners in Nigeria is approximately ₦339,000 monthly (national average across sectors), but planners’ salaries range widely based on the factors above. MySalaryScale reports an average net salary of ₦90,000 monthly for urban planners, likely reflecting entry-level or lower-end roles.

Salary Breakdown for Urban and Regional Planners

Salary estimates are based on professions.ng, jobscholaraccess.com, MySalaryScale, and industry trends, adjusted for 2025 conditions. Figures are monthly in NGN, unless stated otherwise.

1. Entry-Level Planner (0–2 Years’ Experience)

  • Salary Range: ₦80,000–₦150,000
  • Responsibilities: Assisting in data collection, drafting plans, and supporting senior planners.
  • Rationale: Jobscholaraccess.com reports ₦80,000–₦150,000 monthly for entry-level planners. MySalaryScale’s ₦90,000 average aligns with this range for fresh graduates with a bachelor’s degree. Planners with certifications or master’s degrees may start at the higher end.
  • Example Employers: State Urban Planning Agencies, small consultancy firms.

2. Mid-Level Planner (3–7 Years’ Experience)

  • Salary Range: ₦250,000–₦500,000
  • Responsibilities: Developing master plans, conducting impact assessments, and managing projects.
  • Rationale: Professions.ng estimates ₦400,000–₦800,000 annually (₦33,333–₦66,667 monthly), but jobscholaraccess.com reports ₦250,000–₦500,000 monthly for mid-level planners, reflecting inflation adjustments and experience-based increments.
  • Example Employers: Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Mixta Africa.

3. Senior-Level Planner (8+ Years’ Experience)

  • Salary Range: ₦600,000–₦1,500,000
  • Responsibilities: Leading strategic planning, policy formulation, and stakeholder coordination.
  • Rationale: Jobscholaraccess.com cites ₦600,000–₦1,500,000 monthly for senior planners, particularly in private firms or international organizations. Professions.ng notes higher salaries for specialized skills or urban centers like Lagos.
  • Example Employers: Julius Berger, international NGOs, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

4. Consultant (Variable Experience)

  • Salary Range: ₦300,000–₦1,200,000
  • Responsibilities: Providing expertise for specific projects, such as environmental impact assessments or urban renewal.
  • Rationale: Consultants earn project-based rates, with senior consultants commanding up to ₦1,200,000 monthly, per industry trends. MySalaryScale data for similar roles supports this range.
  • Example Employers: Urban planning consultancies, World Bank projects.

Additional Benefits

  • Housing Allowance: ₦50,000–₦200,000 monthly, higher in urban centers like Abuja.
  • Transport Allowance: ₦20,000–₦100,000 monthly, per industry standards.
  • Performance Bonuses: 10–20% of base salary (₦10,000–₦300,000 monthly) in private firms.
  • Health Insurance: Common in government and large private firms.
  • Pension: 8% employee + 10% employer contribution, mandatory for formal sector.
  • Professional Development: Access to training or NITP membership subsidies.

Deductions

  • PAYE Tax: 7–24% of taxable income, after Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA: ₦200,000 + 20% gross income). web:tax_article
  • Pension: 8% of basic salary, housing, and transport allowances.
  • National Housing Fund (NHF): 2.5% of basic salary (voluntary for private sector).
  • Total Deductions: 10–25% of gross salary.

Total Monthly Compensation (Sample Roles)

  • Entry-Level Planner: Gross: ₦100,000–₦200,000; Net: ₦80,000–₦160,000
  • Mid-Level Planner: Gross: ₦300,000–₦600,000; Net: ₦240,000–₦480,000
  • Senior-Level Planner: Gross: ₦700,000–₦1,800,000; Net: ₦560,000–₦1,400,000

Sample PAYE Calculation for an Urban Planner

Scenario: Mid-Level Planner with ₦400,000 Monthly Gross Salary

  • Annual Gross Income: ₦400,000 × 12 = ₦4,800,000
  • Deductions:
    • Pension (8% of basic, assume ₦200,000): ₦200,000 × 8% × 12 = ₦192,000
    • NHF (2.5% of basic, assume ₦150,000): ₦150,000 × 2.5% × 12 = ₦45,000
    • Total: ₦192,000 + ₦45,000 = ₦237,000
  • Income After Deductions: ₦4,800,000 − ₦237,000 = ₦4,563,000
  • CRA: ₦200,000 + (20% × ₦4,800,000) = ₦1,160,000
  • Taxable Income: ₦4,563,000 − ₦1,160,000 = ₦3,403,000
  • Tax Calculation:
    • First ₦300,000 at 7% = ₦21,000
    • Next ₦300,000 at 11% = ₦33,000
    • Next ₦500,000 at 15% = ₦75,000
    • Next ₦500,000 at 19% = ₦95,000
    • Next ₦1,600,000 at 21% = ₦336,000
    • Remaining ₦203,000 at 24% = ₦48,720
  • Total Annual Tax: ₦608,720
  • Monthly PAYE: ₦608,720 ÷ 12 = ₦50,726.67
  • Net Monthly Salary: ₦400,000 − ₦50,726.67 − ₦16,000 (pension) − ₦3,750 (NHF) = ₦329,523.33

Source: Tax calculation based on PITA 2011 and Finance Act 2020. web:tax_article

Factors Influencing Salaries

  1. Experience: Entry-level planners (0–2 years) earn ₦80,000–₦150,000; senior planners (8+ years) earn up to ₦1,500,000.
  2. Qualifications: Master’s degrees or NITP certification boost salaries by 20–30%.
  3. Sector: Private firms (e.g., Julius Berger) pay more than government agencies, but public sector offers stability.
  4. Location: Lagos and Abuja offer 20–50% higher salaries than rural areas due to demand and living costs.
  5. Economic Conditions: Inflation (30–35%) reduces real income; private firms may adjust salaries faster.
  6. Demand: Rapid urbanization (6% urban growth rate) increases demand for planners in cities.

Comparison With Related Roles

  • USAID Program Manager: ₦850,000–₦1,700,000 monthly, higher due to international funding. web:usaid_salary_article
  • UNICEF Immunization Officer: ₦1,000,000–₦1,500,000 monthly, comparable to senior planners. web:unicef_salary_article
  • University Professor: ₦500,000–₦1,500,000 monthly, similar to senior planners but with academic focus. web:professor_salary_article
  • Civil Engineer: ₦150,000–₦500,000 monthly, overlapping with mid-level planners.
  • Thrive Agric Field Officer: ₦80,000–₦150,000 monthly, lower due to agritech focus. web:thrive_agric_article

Urban planners earn competitively within Nigeria’s development sector but less than oil and gas professionals (₦600,000–₦3,000,000).

Challenges and Considerations

  1. Limited Data: Sparse salary data for Nigeria requires reliance on broader estimates.
  2. Inflation: 30–35% inflation erodes real wages, impacting take-home pay.
  3. Taxation: PAYE (7–24%) reduces net income significantly. web:tax_article
  4. Job Scarcity: High competition for roles, especially in government.
  5. Policy Inconsistencies: Unplanned urban expansion and funding constraints limit project opportunities.
  6. Rural vs. Urban Disparity: Rural planners earn less due to lower demand.

Conclusion

Urban and regional planners in Nigeria earn ₦80,000–₦150,000 (entry-level), ₦250,000–₦500,000 (mid-level), and ₦600,000–₦1,500,000 (senior-level) monthly, with net pay reduced by 10–25% due to PAYE tax, pension, and NHF deductions. Benefits like housing and transport allowances enhance compensation, particularly in private firms and urban centers like Lagos and Abuja. The field offers financial and societal rewards, driven by Nigeria’s rapid urbanization, but challenges like inflation and job competition persist. To maximize earnings, planners should pursue advanced degrees, NITP certification, and roles in high-demand cities or international organizations. Job seekers can explore portals like Jobberman, LinkedIn, or MyJobMag for opportunities. Staying proactive and networked via NITP ensures career growth in this vital field.

Sources

  • Professions.ng: Salary Expectations for Urban and Regional Planners in Nigeria, 2023.
  • Jobscholaraccess.com: Where Can Urban and Regional Planners Work in Nigeria, 2024.
  • MySalaryScale: Urban Planner Salaries in Nigeria, 2025.
  • Child in the City: Nigeria’s Urbanization and Planning, 2023.
  • Industry Trends: Urban planning salary benchmarks, 2025.

Disclaimer: Salary estimates are based on available data and trends. Actual salaries vary by role, experience, and employer. Consult employers or NITP for precise figures.

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