Salaries of Pharmacists, Nurses and Other Medical Professionals in Nigeria

Introduction

Professionals in the Medical Sector of most developing economies can indeed be referred to as part of the big fishes in the deepest part of the ocean. Generally, they tend to live on incomes higher than many other professionals and can be termed as good and above average. The respect also accorded to the professionals is unparalleled and desirable by virtually everyone. The Medical Doctors specifically take the lead among these professionals. This encompasses, taking the lead in terms of actual leadership held in hospitals and associations, societal prestige accrued to them, respects given by patients, length of academic and professional training gotten and of course salaries, wages and other forms of remuneration paid.

However, in a typical Hospital or other related Health Centers, there are other medical professionals that work with the Doctors in the achievement of the general goals. Some of these professionals have their works and job descriptions closely tied to that of the Medical Doctors. While some other professionals have their roles and activities mutually exclusive from that of the Medical Doctors. In a previous article, we have been able to share insights on the Average Salary of Medical Doctors in Nigeria. As at the time of the research, studies showed that the salary of Doctors in Nigeria stands at an average of #250,000 monthly. Though some others do earn more than or less than the average based on their years of experiences.

In this article, we will share insights on the salaries of other medical professionals in the medical/health sector of Nigeria. The insights to be shared here will cut across the salaries of various medical professionals and specialists such as;

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• Pharmacists Salaries
• Nurses Salaries
• Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians Salaries
• Dentists Salaries
• Medical Laboratory Scientists Salaries
• Radiographers Salaries
• Physiotherapists Salaries

Salaries of Pharmacist in Nigeria

Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists, are healthcare professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use. Pharmacy as a profession is practiced in a wide range of settings: in communities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, mail service, managed care, and various government parastatals.

Based on data gathered from various pharmacists with different levels of experience cutting across several companies and locations, the average salary of Pharmacists in Nigeria is about #150,000 monthly. Here, most pharmacists in entry-level positions earn below #100,000 monthly while those in middle-level positions earn around the average amount (#150,000 monthly) and those in senior-level positions earn around #200,000 and above monthly.

Salaries of Pharmacists in Federal and State Hospitals

Salaries of Pharmacists in the private sector vary from those working in government agencies and other parastatals. The salary structure for Pharmacists is different for each sector of the government. They have different labels.

The salary structure for hospitals is on Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS)
The salary structure for academics is Consolidated University Academic structure (CONUASS)

The starting salary for a federal staff is about #170,000. Entry level is CONHESS 9. This is reviewed after some years which varies between 3 to 5 years. This is besides other allowances such as working in a riverine community and etc. With several promotions after some working years or in acquiring more degree(s), the monthly salary could be as high as #600,000. The highest paying hospital as of today is the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital in Lagos whose starting salary is said to be around #300,000 monthly.

See other specific salaries of Pharmacists based on companies and years of experiences.

Salaries of Nurses in Nigeria

Nursing as a profession came into existence as early as human existence. It is said to be the foremost caring profession. It rested, savored and consolidated its position through the ages by developing its own language, rituals, arts and sciences from the physical, psycho-social and spiritual needs of patients. A Nurse is an individual with pre-requisite training and certification with a mandate to prevent illness, promote health and alleviate suffering. They are quite different from doctors for various reasons, chiefly of which is the inability or non-mandate to diagnose and prescribe drugs to patients.

The average salary of nurses in Nigeria is #100,000 monthly. Certain factors are considered when looking at the amount received by Nigerian nurses monthly. The chief factors are the experience of the nurses and the sector (public or private) they work in. Here, most nurses in entry-level positions earn below #80,000 monthly while those in middle-level positions earn around the #100,000 monthly and those in senior-level positions earn around #150,000 and above monthly. Some nurses working in Government Institutions, however, earn above #150,000 which excludes allowances and other benefits.

See other specific salaries of nurses based on companies and years of experiences.

Salaries of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians in Nigeria

The medical practitioners that specialize in eye care are called Ophthalmologists. However, people mistake the roles of Ophthalmologists, with that of Optometrists and Opticians. Although each plays an important role in providing eye care to consumers, the levels of training and expertise are however quite different for each type of provider.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care such as performing eye surgery, treating and diagnosing eye injuries and diseases, and prescribing eye-wears. Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. While, Opticians are technicians trained to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight.

The average salary of these optometrists in Nigeria is #100,000 monthly.

Salaries of Dentists in Nigeria

Dentists are doctors that treat diseases of the oral cavity and its related structures. They are the only health care providers that carry the traditional sense of the word ‘doctor’. They are entitled to whatever their counterparts that studied medicine and surgery are entitled to and are paid with the same salary scale except for specialists that get special allowances depending on the field and other part-time jobs that anyone may decide to take.

Thus the average salary of dentists in Nigeria is not so different from that of medical doctors which is an average of #250,000 monthly. Where some earn less than and some others more than, based on their years of experiences.

Salaries of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria

Medicine today is evidence-based and the laboratory is where over 70% of this evidence is obtained. Quality laboratory service is essential to quality health care. Competent, licensed, laboratory professionals are thus the foundation of quality laboratory medicine. As a profession, the Medical laboratory scientists, often called medical laboratorians, are vital healthcare detectives, uncovering and providing laboratory information from laboratory analyses that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention.

The average salary of Medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria is about #100,000 monthly. Here, most Medical laboratory scientists in entry-level positions earn below #80,000 monthly while those in middle-level positions earn around the average amount and those in senior-level positions earn around #150,000 and above monthly.

See other specific salaries of Medical Laboratory Scientists based on companies and years of experiences.

Salaries of Radiographers in Nigeria

Radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists, diagnostic radiographers and medical radiation technologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the imaging of human anatomy for the diagnosis and treatment of pathology. They use their wide range of skills and training to deliver a sensitive, patient-focused healthcare service in imaging and radiotherapy. Typically, radiographers use high-tech, expensive equipment and are an important part of a large medical team.

The average salary of radiographers in Nigeria is about #150,000 monthly. Here, most radiographers in entry-level positions earn below #100,000 monthly while those in middle-level positions earn around the average amount and those in senior-level positions earn around #200,000 and above monthly. Intern Radiographers also earn around #80,000.

See other specific salaries of Radiographers based on companies and years of experiences

Salaries of Physiotherapists in Nigeria

Physical therapy, mostly known as Physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions that, by using mechanical force and movements, Manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy, remediates impairments and promotes mobility and function. Physiotherapists help patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or aging to improve their movement. They devise and review treatment programs using manual therapy (such as massage), therapeutic exercise and electrotherapy.

The average salary of Physiotherapists in Nigeria is about #150,000 monthly. Here, most Physiotherapists in entry-level positions earn around #100,000 monthly while those in middle-level positions earn the average amount and those in senior-level positions earn around #250,000 and above monthly.

See other specific salaries of Physiotherapists based on companies and years of experiences

Conclusion

It’s also important to note that most of these medical professional also receive allowances for hazard as a result of the risks involved in the activities. From the salaries above, one can easily conclude that the Medical Profession is really a noble one, not just in words or for prestige sake but also reflects in the salaries received.

Do you feels the figures stated above is contrary to what is obtainable in Nigeria today? Feel free to air your views in the comment section.

See also: how to can earn more in your current job