Medical professionals in most developing countries can indeed be classified as a “hot cake” because they are highly important in the society. In general, they tend to live on incomes higher than any other professionals. Medical professionals are also accorded some amount of unparalleled respect, which is desirable and admired by virtually everyone. In this post we shall be looking at the salaries of Medical Professionals in Nigeria.
Among medical professionals, Medical Doctors take the lead. This also means that they take the lead in leadership positions held in hospitals and medical associations, societal prestige, respects given by patients, length of academic and professional training gotten and of course salaries, wages and other forms of remuneration paid. You can check out the salaries of medical doctors in Nigeria and allowances attached to them to get a better understanding of what I am trying to say.
However, in a hospital or related health centers, you will find other medical professionals that works together with the medical doctor to achieve a common goal. Some of these professionals have their works and job descriptions closely tied to that of the Medical Doctors, while some roles and activities mutually exclusive from that of the Medical Doctors.
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Salaries of Medical Professionals in Nigeria
In this article, we shall also be looking at the other professionals working in the health sector. The insights shared in this post will cut across the salaries of medical professionals in Nigeria such as that of; Pharmacists, Nurses, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Dentists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Radiographers, and Physiotherapists.
Salaries of Pharmacist in Nigeria
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who practice in pharmacy – the field of health sciences that focuses on safe and effective use of medication. They are also known as chemists or druggists. Pharmacy as a profession is practiced in a wide range of settings; in communities, long-term care facilities, hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, mail service, managed care, and various government parastatals.
The salaries of pharmacists in Nigeria is about N150,000 per month. This figure is based on data collated from various pharmacists in the country with different levels of experience cutting across several companies and locations.
From the report, most pharmacists in entry-level positions earn below N100,000 monthly, while those in the mid-level positions earn around N150,000 per month, and finally those in the senior-level positions earn around N200,000 and above every month.
Salaries of Pharmacists in Federal and State Hospitals
The salaries of Pharmacist working in the private sector differ from that of those working in government agencies and other parastatals. The salary structure for Pharmacists is different for each sector of the government and they have different labels as outline below.
- The salary structure for hospitals is on Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS)
- The salary structure for academics is on Consolidated University Academic structure (CONAUSS)
The starting salary for a federal staff is about N170,000. Entry level is CONHESS 9. This is reviewed after some years which vary between to 3 to 5 years. This is besides other allowances such as working in a riverine community etc. With several promotions after some working years or in acquiring more degree(s), the monthly salary could be as high as N600,000. The highest paying hospital in Nigeria as of today is the Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital in Lagos whose starting salary is said to be around N300,000 monthly.
Salaries of Nurses in Nigeria
Nursing as a medical profession, has been existing for many years. It is said to be the foremost caring profession. A Nurse can simply be described as a person with the required training and certification, with a mandate to prevent illness, promote health, and alleviate suffering. Nurses are different from Doctors for various reasons, mainly of which is the inability or non-mandate to diagnose and prescribe drugs to patients.
The average salary if Nurses in Nigeria is tagged at N100,000 per month. Certain factors are placed into consideration when looking at the amount received by Nigerian Nurses every month. The main factors are the experience of the nurses and the sector (private or public) they work in.
Nurses with entry-level positions earn below N75,000 every month, those in middle-level positions earn around N100,000 per month, while those in senior-level positions earn around N150,000 and above every month. Some Nurses working with government institutions, however, earn above N150,000 every month, which excludes allowances and other benefits.
Salaries of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Opticians in Nigeria
Ophthalmologists are the medical professionals that specialize in the care of the eye. However, people always mistake the roles of the Ophthalmologists with that of the Optometrists and Opticians. Although each plays an important role in the provision of eye care to customers, the levels of training and expertise are however quite different from each type of eye care 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 N100,000 per month.
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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’. Dentists are entitled to whatever their counterparts that studied medicine and surgery are entitled to 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.
The average salary of Dentists in Nigeria is not really different from that of medical doctors, which is an average of N250,000 per month. Some earn less, while others earn more; it is totally dependent on their years of experiences.
Salaries of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria
The practice of Medicine today evidence-based and the medical laboratory is where over 70% of this evidence is been obtained. Quality medical laboratory service is very essential to healthcare. Competent and licensed medical laboratory professionals are thus the foundation of quality laboratory medicine.
Medical Laboratory Scientists are vital healthcare detectives, who uncover and provide laboratory information from laboratory analyses. This report assists 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 N100,000 per month. Most medical laboratory scientists in entry-level positions earn below N80,000 monthly, those in mid-level positions earn around the average amount, while those in senior-level positions earns around N150,000 and above every month.
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 N150,000 per month. Most radiographers in entry-level positions earn below N100,000 per month, those in middle-level positions earn around N150,000 per month, while those in senior-level positions earn around N200,000 and above in a month.
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 N150,000 per month. Here, most Physiotherapists in entry-level positions earn below N100,000 every month, while those in middle-level positions earn around N150,000, and those in senior-level positions earn around N250,000 and every month.
Conclusion on Salaries of Medical Professionals in Nigeria
As I round up, it is wise for me to reveal important information you should note regarding the salary structure of Medical Professionals in Nigeria. Most of these medical professionals also receive allowances for hazard as a result of the risks involved in the activities. From the salaries listed in this article, one can easily conclude that the Medical Profession is really a noble one, not just in words or fame, but it also reflects on the salaries they receive. That is all you should know about the salaries of Medical Professionals in Nigeria, please share this information on Facebook and Twitter.
