Pharmacist Salary Structure In Nigeria 2024: See What They Earn

what is the current Pharmacist salary structure in Nigeria? You might be wondering why pharmacist earns the handsome salary they earn at the end of each month, and why are people rushing to universities to study pharmacy.

If you are wondering how huge is the salary structure for pharmacists in Nigeria, or even for any other reason which has prompted you to search for the pharmacist salary structure in Nigeria? Fasten your seatbelts as you will get an answer to all these thoughts popping through your mind.

Being a pharmacist in Nigeria as well as in other countries of the world is indeed a noble thing for you to do. This is because pharmacy is a noble profession and upon graduation from any Pharmacy school, you will be certified to become a noble individual through the profession.

Pharmacist salary structure in Nigeria today cut across those working in different sectors of pharmacy; academia, clinical, industrial, public health, community pharmacist, and others.

It is not news that experts in professional disciplines typically rank among the highest earners in the majority of developing countries.

These professions not only give people access to a wide range of opportunities, and they often frequently get the government or the corporate sector they work to pay up a higher salary for them; one such career is a pharmacy. The pharmacist salary structure is a very wonderful one.

Pharmacist salary structure in Nigeria depends on the level. An entry-level pharmacist, by illustration, is anticipated to make less money than a chief pharmacist. We shall group the typical pay for pharmacists in Nigeria by their level of experience.

Accordingly, entry-level pharmacists should have 0 to 2 years of relevant experience, mid-level pharmacists should have 2 to 5 or more years of experience, and experienced pharmacists should have more than 6 years of experience.

PHARMACY-RELATED JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGISTERED PHARMACISTS IN NIGERIA

There are quite a good number of pharmacy-related job opportunities available for pharmacists here in Nigeria; excluding some other none pharmacist-related jobs.

This is because merely passing through the pharmacy training equips one with the capacity to work in virtually every. Enlisted below are the diverse job opportunities for pharmacists based in Nigeria:

1. Community Pharmacist.
2. Public health pharmacists.
3. Academia and Research or University Lecturer.
4. Pharmacologist.
5. Hospital Pharmacist.
6. Consultant Pharmacy.
7. Government Agencies.
8. Pharmacist in Pharmaceutical Industries.
9. Medical Sales Representatives.
10. Science Writers.

Read Also: How to Start Pharmacy Business in Nigeria

PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA CURRENTLY

Pharmacist salary in Nigeria varies by level. A head pharmacist will make more money than a junior pharmacist. In addition, the field in which the pharmacist works also determines his salary.

A public-sector pharmacist is likely to earn more than a private-sector pharmacist. In Nigeria, the pharmacist salary scale is based on two main criteria.

These two major standards are Consolidated University Academic structure (CONAUSS) for pharmacists in academics and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which is for pharmacists in hospitals.

Taking a good look at what pharmacists earn generally, the average pharmacist in Nigeria earns a basic salary of about ₦120,000 to ₦170,000. However, for a pharmacist working for the government, the starting salary is ₦170,000 -₦300,000 which is renewed after four years with other allowances.

PRIVATE HOSPITAL PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Entry level (0 – 2 years experience) ₦70 000 – ₦160, 000
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years experience) ₦60, 000 – ₦280, 000
Experienced (5 years experience and above) ₦250, 000 – ₦450, 000

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Pharmacists’ salary structure in government agencies such as NAFDAC, NDLEA, and others government agencies earn the following
Entry level (0 – 2 years) ₦80, 000 – ₦100, 000
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years) ₦120, 000 – ₦160, 000
Experienced (5 years experience and above) ₦230, 000 – ₦280, 000

GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS/TEACHING HOSPITAL PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Entry level (0 – 2 years experience): N165, 000 – N200, 000 (although a few teaching hospitals here in Nigeria are more than the stated figure for entry-level).
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N250, 000 – N450, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N450, 000 – N800, 000

HOSPITAL PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Entry level (0 – 2 experience): N75, 000 – N150, 000
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N150, 000 – N250, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N200, 000 – N400, 000

ACADEMIA PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Pharmacists working as lecturers in state or federal universities earn about ₦220,000 and ₦650,000 (that`s depending on your level).

MULTINATIONAL PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE

Multinational Pharmacist Program Salary based on qualifications, professional certifications, security certifications, etc. Some multinational companies pay their employees in dollars.

Pharmacists in multinational corporations earn an average of 300,000 to 800,000 yen (this is only the monetary aspect, as the incentives and bonuses received far exceed the stated amounts).

INDEPENDENT PHARMACIST SALARY STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

We also have independent pharmacists who open companies and pharmacies. These pharmacists can earn up to ₦300,000 and ₦1,000,000 per year, as some of them make their drugs.

There is another group of pharmacists who work in drugstores and most of the time they are fresh graduates. They work for senior pharmacists to gain the experience needed to get a better job.

They are paid from 60,000 to 90,000 (Mostly referred to as Locum, some more than that depending on the particular location).

TIPS TO NOTE ABOUT PHARMACISTS AND THEIR SALARY SCALE

Because Nigeria’s economy is in its infancy, more individuals are gravitating toward professional sectors. Even while none of these areas can provide secure employment after graduation, they nonetheless have an advantage over some other professions.

Whilst they are not reimbursed as much as their colleagues in foreign countries, pharmacists in Nigeria are among the top compensated professions. Health industry personnel are still seen as big fish in more developed nations. The health industry employs a large number of people, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and many others.

Even though salaries for medical professionals are indeed high in Nigeria, they just aren’t as high as they once were. And that is unquestionably less than what they should be paid.

Aside from the fact that many students in health specialties, typically intend to leave the nation once they graduate. Many people who desire to stay in the nation are unaware of what a pharmacist makes in Nigeria.

Generally speaking, pharmacy is one of those careers where there is a very high likelihood that one will find employment following graduation. In addition to the fact that pharmacists play a crucial role in society, these professionals typically earn far more money than their counterparts in many other professions.

Since much of the area of pharmacy is devoted to finding and prescribing medical treatments for illnesses and disorders, it is only a benefit for drug enthusiasts and researchers.

It is simple to understand why so many more people have developed an interest in the profession in contemporary decades because pharmacists are among the professions with the highest reputation in the world.

An entry-level pharmacist in Nigeria typically makes approximately N150, 000 to N170,000 per year. However, the initial compensation for government employees ranges from N165 000 to N300 000 / month and is increased every 3 to 4 years.

There are additional fundamental bonuses and allowances as well. Here is a breakdown of the pay for pharmacists by the level of experience.

WHAT TO DO TO BECOME A REGISTERED PHARMACIST IN NIGERIA

Before you can be called a pharmacist in Nigeria, you must pass training and exams. Being a pharmacist is not a day job. Step-by-step instructions are provided below, explaining what you need to do before you can be called a licensed pharmacist.

Here we will look at the processes involved in pursuing a career in pharmacy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a pharmacist in Nigeria.

Obtain The Required Certifications

To become a professional in Nigeria, you must have the necessary certifications. First, there are elementary and secondary certificates. Then you can go to a university to study pharmacy.

Typically, colleges will require at least one credit card in basic science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, math, and the English language.

You must also pass the compulsory UTME with a fairly high score. Each institution has its UTME cut-off score which can vary yearly depending on the general performance for the year. Check out the Full List of Universities Offering Pharmacy in Nigeria.

Do Your Internship

During your undergraduate studies, you must complete a mandatory one-year internship where you will practice as a pharmacist in a hospital or university hospital.

Here you will learn more about the profession and have the opportunity to network with other professionals.

Do Your NYSC

National Youth Service Corp is another required stage on your journey to becoming a pharmacist. This is a year-long service in which you must serve your country. Ideally, you will be assigned to a hospital or pharmacy in the area to which you are assigned.

Finally, after completing all of this, you can start practicing or take further exams to expand your knowledge base and improve your level as well as your salary structure.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacist salary structure in Nigeria currently is a very explicit one. The salary structure is designed in such a way that every structure is accommodated.

In Nigeria today, pharmacist during their internship has a minimum salary they receive based on COHENSS 8, Step 2, and this can vary depending on the state.

For permanent workers, their salaries vary depending on the pharmacy they are working in and their experience levels.