Welder Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

This article provides a comprehensive overview of welder salaries in Nigeria for 2025, detailing average earnings, salary ranges, factors influencing pay, and comparisons across experience levels, education, sectors, and regions. All figures are presented in Nigerian Naira (NGN) with approximate USD conversions based on October 2024 exchange rates (1 NGN = 0.00060 USD). The data is compiled from reliable sources, including salary surveys and job postings, to offer an accurate picture of the welding profession in Nigeria.

Average Welder Salary in Nigeria

The average annual salary for a welder in Nigeria in 2025 is approximately NGN 1,198,300 (USD 719), or about NGN 99,858 (USD 60) per month, including benefits such as housing and transport. The median monthly salary is around NGN 88,900 (USD 53), meaning half of welders earn less and half earn more. Salaries range from a minimum of NGN 646,600 (USD 388) to a maximum of NGN 1,811,000 (USD 1,087) annually, depending on various factors.

Salary Distribution

The salary distribution for welders in Nigeria provides insight into earnings across the profession:

• 25th Percentile: 25% of welders earn less than NGN 786,600 (USD 472) annually, or NGN 65,550 (USD 39) monthly.
• 75th Percentile: 75% of welders earn less than NGN 1,345,400 (USD 807) annually, or NGN 112,117 (USD 67) monthly.
• Majority Range: Approximately 65% of welders earn between NGN 53,300 and NGN 77,300 (USD 32–46) monthly. About 20% earn below NGN 53,300, 10% earn between NGN 77,300 and NGN 88,300, and only 5% exceed NGN 88,300 monthly.

Minimum Wage and Hourly Pay

The national minimum wage in Nigeria, effective from July 2024, is NGN 70,000 (USD 42) per month. However, welder salaries often start above this threshold, with the lowest reported starting salary at NGN 42,800 (USD 26) per month, based on salary surveys rather than the legal minimum.

The average hourly wage for welders is approximately NGN 4,240 (USD 2.54), with a range from NGN 378 to NGN 7,521 (USD 0.23–4.51), assuming a standard 40-hour workweek (5 days, 8 hours per day). Welders paid hourly are typically eligible for overtime, unlike salaried welders. The minimum hourly rate is around NGN 250 (USD 0.15).

Factors Influencing Welder Salaries

Several factors impact welder salaries in Nigeria:

1. Experience Level:
   • Entry-Level (0–4 years): Welders with 1–4 years of experience earn around NGN 1,000,000 (USD 600) annually, or NGN 83,333 (USD 50) monthly.
   • Mid-Career (5–9 years): Welders with 5–9 years of experience earn approximately NGN 473,418 (USD 284) annually, or NGN 39,451 (USD 24) monthly, though some sources report higher averages up to NGN 1,200,000 annually.
   • Experienced (10–19 years): Welders with 10–19 years of experience can earn up to 24% more than mid-career welders, with salaries around NGN 1,668,900 (USD 1,001) annually for those with advanced skills or education.
   • Senior (20+ years): Salaries can reach NGN 1,811,000 (USD 1,087) annually for highly experienced welders.
2. Education and Certification:
   • High School: Welders with a high school education earn around NGN 61,000 (USD 37) monthly.
   • Certificate or Diploma: Welders with technical certifications (e.g., Trade Test 1, 2, 3) earn 43% more, averaging NGN 87,400 (USD 52) monthly.
   • Bachelor’s Degree: Welders with a bachelor’s degree, such as in mechanical engineering, can earn 38% more than those with a diploma, averaging NGN 1,668,900 (USD 1,001) annually, or NGN 139,075 (USD 83) monthly.
   • Certifications in specialized welding techniques (e.g., MIG, TIG, arc welding) can further boost earnings.
3. Location:
   • Urban Areas (e.g., Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt): Welders in cities like Lagos earn higher salaries due to demand in industries like construction and oil and gas. For example, job postings in Lagos report salaries from NGN 80,000 to NGN 440,000 (USD 48–264) monthly for welders and welder/fabricators.
   • Rural Areas: Salaries are lower, often starting at NGN 50,100 (USD 30) monthly.
   • Oil and Gas Hubs (e.g., Port Harcourt): Welding engineers in oil and gas can earn NGN 120,000–250,000 (USD 72–150) monthly with 5–10 years of experience.
4. Industry and Sector:
   • Private Sector: Welders in private companies earn 6% more on average than those in the public sector. Industries like oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing (e.g., automobile welding) offer higher pay, with roles like MIG welder at Buckler Systems paying up to NGN 250,000 (USD 150) monthly.
   • Public Sector: Government-employed welders, such as those in public works, earn slightly less but may receive benefits like pensions.
   • Specialized Roles: Pipe welders earn NGN 45,200–133,000 (USD 27–80) monthly, with a median of NGN 83,500 (USD 50).
5. Gender: Male welders earn 12% more than female welders on average, reflecting a gender pay gap in the profession.

Salary by Specific Welding Roles

• General Welder: Average NGN 800,004–1,198,300 (USD 480–719) annually, with entry-level roles starting at NGN 680,004 (USD 408) and senior roles reaching NGN 920,004 (USD 552).
• Welder/Fabricator: Median monthly salary of NGN 80,000 (USD 48), with total pay (including bonuses) up to NGN 440,000 (USD 264) monthly in high-demand areas like Lagos.
• Pipe Welder: Average NGN 87,000 (USD 52) monthly, ranging from NGN 45,200 to NGN 133,000 (USD 27–80).
• Welding Engineer: In oil and gas, salaries range from NGN 120,000–250,000 (USD 72–150) monthly, requiring a bachelor’s degree and 5–10 years of experience.
• Structural Welder (Carbon Steel): Salaries vary by employer, with roles in Lagos offering NGN 100,000–150,000 (USD 60–90) monthly.

Job Requirements and Skills

Welders in Nigeria typically need:

• Education: Minimum of SSCE, GCE, or NECO, with technical training (e.g., Trade Test Certificate) preferred. Some roles require a National Diploma (OND) or bachelor’s degree, especially for welding engineers.
• Certifications: Knowledge of MIG, TIG, arc, or gas welding techniques is often required.
• Experience: At least 1–5 years of hands-on experience, depending on the role. Senior roles may require 10+ years.
• Skills: Manual dexterity, attention to detail, mathematical skills for measurements, and ability to read blueprints.
• Work Conditions: Full-time roles with 40-hour workweeks, occasional overtime, and 5–12 paid vacation days. Lunch breaks are typically 30 minutes, and flexible hours are rare.

Regional Salary Variations

• Lagos: High demand in construction and manufacturing drives salaries, with welders earning NGN 80,000–440,000 (USD 48–264) monthly.
• Ogun State: Salaries range from NGN 80,000–150,000 (USD 48–90) monthly for roles in companies like Dangote Group or Carry Heavy Industry.
• Port Harcourt: Oil and gas welders earn NGN 120,000–250,000 (USD 72–150) monthly.
• Abuja: Welders, especially argon welders, earn around NGN 200,000 (USD 120) monthly with benefits.
• Rural Areas: Lower salaries, starting at NGN 50,100 (USD 30) monthly.

Benefits and Additional Pay

Welders in Nigeria may receive:

• Housing and Transport Allowances: Common in private sector roles, especially in urban areas.
• Health Insurance: Offered by some employers, particularly in oil and gas.
• Bonuses: Welder/fabricators may receive additional pay up to NGN 360,000 (USD 216) monthly, including cash bonuses or profit-sharing.
• Paid Leave: 5–12 days of annual leave, depending on the employer.
• Overtime: Hourly-paid welders are eligible for overtime, increasing earnings significantly.

Economic Context

Nigeria’s economy, with a GDP of NGN 45 trillion (USD 102 trillion), faces challenges like inflation and currency devaluation, impacting welders’ purchasing power. Approximately 47% of Nigerians live below the poverty line of USD 2.15 per day, making welding a relatively well-paying trade compared to unskilled labor (e.g., NGN 700/day or USD 0.42).

Comparison with Other Professions

• Welder vs. Plumber: Welders earn slightly more, with an average of NGN 99,858 (USD 60) monthly compared to plumbers’ NGN 80,000–100,000 (USD 48–60).
• Welder vs. Unskilled Labor: Welders earn significantly more than unskilled laborers (NGN 700/day or NGN 14,000/month).
• Welder vs. International: Nigerian welders earn less than counterparts in the U.S. (USD 48,940 annually) or South Africa (R 12,678 or USD 717 monthly).

Job Outlook and Opportunities

Welding jobs are in demand in Nigeria, particularly in construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Companies like Dangote Group, Buckler Systems, and Sevan Construction Nigeria Limited are actively recruiting welders with salaries ranging from NGN 80,000–250,000 (USD 48–150) monthly. The profession benefits from a stable job market, with opportunities for career advancement through certifications or transitioning to roles like welding engineer.

Conclusion

Welder salaries in Nigeria for 2025 vary widely based on experience, education, location, and industry. The average monthly salary of NGN 99,858 (USD 60) positions welding as a competitive trade, especially in urban and industrial hubs like Lagos and Port Harcourt. With opportunities for overtime, bonuses, and skill development, welders can significantly increase their earnings. Understanding these salary dynamics is essential for welders, employers, and job seekers navigating Nigeria’s labor market.