According to data from the Lagos government in 2021, the rates of unemployment in the state for jobs less than 40hrs/week and those below 20hrs/week were 41.66% and 37.14% respectively.
Despite these alarming figures, the yearly influx of persons from other states across Nigeria into Lagos is majorly tied to the promise of a better life (economically) which the commercial and economic capital of the country seems to hold for many.
But Lagos, as a metropolis, favours persons in certain occupations more as demands for their services and expertise continue to soar.
Here are some of the most well-paid jobs in Lagos:
1. Graphic Designing
As businesses in Lagos join the corporate world to go digital, the services of experienced graphic designers are hotcakes.
It is estimated that an early career graphic designer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₦520,882 monthly.
For a mid-career graphic designer with 5-9 years of experience, the monthly earnings total around ₦490,000, while those with 10-19 years of experience get an average salary of ₦1,202,500.
2. Medicine
The cliche that health is wealth is taken literally by those in the medical field, especially in the private sector.
Added to this, the recent ranking of Lagos as the 8th city with the best healthcare system in Africa by Numbeo, a well-known research organisation specialising in quality-of-life data, reflects a significant milestone in the city’s healthcare landscape.
The salary for a medical practitioner is estimated to be NGN 500,000 per month in the city. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges based on a survey.
3. Law
Needless to say, most registered companies in Lagos have legal representatives who stand in for them in defending assets and settling disputes related to transactions.
This is, of course, apart from the high demand for top-notch lawyers for litigations and counter-litigations between persons, groups, organisations, etc.
An early career associate attorney with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₦1,600,000 based on nine salaries. A mid-career associate attorney with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₦1,140,000 based on six salaries.
4. Petroleum Engineering
The estimated total pay for a petroleum engineer is NGN 214,417 per month in the Lagos area, with an average salary of NGN 204,000 per month, while the estimated additional pay (including cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing) is NGN 10,417 per month.
But these figures are just the average as they are much higher in some firms, depending on conditions and negotiations.
5. Real Estate
Persons who work in Real Estate in Lagos earn around N386,000 with salaries ranging from N146,000 (lowest average) to N679,000 (highest average).
However, it must be stated that the numbers represent the lowest figures reported in a salary survey that involved thousands of participants and professionals from across the entire country.
6. Computer Science
It goes without argument that computer literacy is in high demand across the world and Africa’s most populous city, Lagos, is not left out.
Thus, computer gurus are among those cashing out big-time in a city like Lagos where a lot of business deals are done online.
In terms of specifics, an early career computer scientist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₦868,966 based on 12 salaries.
A mid-career computer scientist with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₦1,750,000 based on 6 salaries.
7. Electrical Engineering
According to a report by Payscale.com, an entry-level electrical engineer with less than one year of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₦1,600,000 based on 7 salaries.
For an early career electrical engineer with 1-4 years of experience, the average total compensation is ₦1,238,513 based on 45 salaries, while those in mid-career level with 5-9 years of experience earn an average total compensation of ₦1,400,000 based on 35 salaries.
The figures go higher as an experienced electrical engineer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₦1,377,727 based on 22 salaries.
8. Information Technology
Regular upgrades in technology call for companies and organisations to have professionals. in the field This, then, has made information technology one of the occupations that receive the highest pay in Lagos. It entails knowledge and skills in developing and managing computer systems and networks.
Almost always, employers of skilled labour are in search of IT experts for the growth of their firms to meet and compete well in the world of technological development.
Ideally, with IT skills, one is not expected to be jobless; contrary to this, an expert earns between N1.5 to N1.7 million yearly on average.
9. Content Writing
Because of the high demand for their skills, content writers working in Lagos earn around N3,706,100 per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about N1,777,700 to the highest average salary of N5,818,100.
These average salaries include benefits such as housing and transport.
It is imperative to state here that the figures for each of the professions are based on statistics, surveys and estimates which may not always reflect actual realities at all times.
In some cases, the figures may be higher, lower or somewhere in the average.