Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial hub — a city pulsating with opportunities, talent, and economic activity. But what do people in Lagos actually earn on average each month? Understanding typical salaries helps job seekers, employers, and anyone moving to Lagos gauge living standards and financial expectations.
Average Monthly Salary in Lagos: How Much Is It?
- According to a survey by PaidHR, the average worker in Lagos earns about ₦60,000 per month.
- This number is concerning, especially when compared to Nigeria’s national minimum wage, which is ₦70,000/month.
- However, not all data sources agree: a report by the Lagos State Labour Market Information System (LMIS) suggests that average wages across professionals are significantly higher.
- The 2026 Lagos State Economic Outlook notes that management-level positions (such as senior managers) in Lagos command an average monthly salary of ₦215,000, while roles in ICT, engineering, health, and finance typically fall between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000.
- According to Early.app, the median monthly salary in some reports for Nigeria is ₦302,000, but that’s a more generalized national figure—not necessarily specific to Lagos’s full workforce.
Bottom line: While some Lagos workers earn very low wages (₦60,000/month), others — particularly in professional roles — make significantly more. The average monthly salary varies widely depending on the industry, role, experience, and employer.
VIEW ALSO : Cost of Living in Lagos: Island vs Mainland
Well-Paid Jobs in Lagos & Their Typical Salaries
Here are some of the more well-paid jobs in Lagos, based on recent data, and what they roughly pay per month:
| Job / Role | Approximate Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | ~₦1,000,000/month |
| Project Manager | ~₦520,000/month |
| Civil / Structural Engineer | ~₦500,000/month |
| Software Engineer / Developer | ~₦330,000/month on average |
| Data Analyst | ~₦330,000/month |
| SEO Specialist | ~₦254,500/month (average from demand-jobs report) |
| Content Creator | Ranges widely: ₦160,000 – ₦483,000/month, depending on role and platform |
| Customer Support Specialist | ~₦412,800/month (for some corporate roles) |
| Accountant | According to Asatnow: ~₦180,000 – ₦800,000 depending on seniority and company; average ~₦350,000/month |
| Expat / Senior-level Multinational Roles | Very high: According to BornByAI, for expats: entry roles $2,000–4,000 (≈ ₦3.2M–6.4M), senior managers $6,000–15,000/month, and executives even more |
Key Factors That Influence Salaries in Lagos
Several factors influence how much someone earns in Lagos:
- Industry: Sectors like oil & gas, finance, and technology typically pay more.
- Experience & Role Level: Senior or management roles make significantly more than entry-level.
- Employer Type: Multinationals and large firms pay more than small local companies.
- Skill Demand: High-skill roles like software engineering or specialized engineering are in high demand and thus better paid.
- Economic Changes & Legislation: Changes in minimum wage or labor policies (e.g., Lagos-specific wage pushes) affect average pay.
Challenges & Reality Check
- Even with some high-paying roles, many Lagosians still earn very low wages — the ₦60,000/month average for a broad group shows a huge earnings gap.
- A survey of job offers found that 50% of listed jobs pay less than ₦125,000/month.
- High salaries for few don’t necessarily reflect the broader workforce; many professional job seekers face competition and underpay.
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