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Ikiodiete George
- 4 Min Read
Conmess Salary Scale In Nigeria (2025): Doctors’ Pay Structure Explained
The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) is the official pay framework for medical and dental officers working in Nigeria’s public health sector. Whether you’re a house officer fresh out of medical school or a seasoned consultant with decades of experience, your salary is determined by your CONMESS level.
In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down the updated salary structure, monthly pay ranges, grade levels, typical job roles, and all the allowances that come with working under this structure.
What is CONMESS?
CONMESS is the salary system used for doctors and dentists in federal government-owned hospitals, teaching hospitals, specialist centers, and health agencies across Nigeria. It is designed to provide uniform and structured remuneration based on qualifications, experience, and medical specialization.
The structure is divided into seven levels, from CONMESS 01 to CONMESS 07, each with multiple steps representing years of experience or time spent on that level.
Who Falls Under CONMESS?
Doctors and dentists employed by federal or state institutions who typically fall under CONMESS include:
- House Officers (intern doctors)
- Medical Officers (junior and senior)
- Resident Doctors (registrars and senior registrars)
- Consultants and Senior Consultants
- Dental Officers and Dental Consultants
- Teaching Hospital Clinicians and Faculty Members
Updated CONMESS Salary Structure for 2025 (Monthly Breakdown)
Here’s the estimated monthly salary (basic pay only) across various levels:
|
CONMESS Level |
Monthly Basic Salary (₦) |
Typical Roles |
|
CONMESS 01 |
₦250,000 – ₦280,000 |
House Officer (Intern Doctor) |
|
CONMESS 02 |
₦290,000 – ₦320,000 |
Medical Officer II |
|
CONMESS 03 |
₦330,000 – ₦370,000 |
Medical Officer I / Junior Registrar |
|
CONMESS 04 |
₦390,000 – ₦430,000 |
Registrar (Residency Trainee) |
|
CONMESS 05 |
₦450,000 – ₦500,000 |
Senior Registrar |
|
CONMESS 06 |
₦550,000 – ₦600,000 |
Consultant (Entry-Level) |
|
CONMESS 07 |
₦650,000 – ₦750,000 |
Senior Consultant / Head of Clinical Unit |
These amounts reflect basic salary only. Additional allowances significantly increase total monthly earnings.
CONMESS Job Roles by Level
|
Level |
Typical Job Title |
Experience Range |
|
CONMESS 01 |
House Officer / Intern |
0–1 year |
|
CONMESS 02 |
Medical Officer II |
1–2 years |
|
CONMESS 03 |
Medical Officer I |
2–4 years |
|
CONMESS 04 |
Registrar |
3–6 years |
|
CONMESS 05 |
Senior Registrar |
6–9 years |
|
CONMESS 06 |
Consultant |
10+ years |
|
CONMESS 07 |
Senior Consultant / Unit Head / CMD |
15+ years |
Allowances & Benefits for Doctors Under CONMESS
Doctors working under CONMESS are entitled to various allowances that significantly increase their total compensation package. These include:
- Call Duty Allowance: Paid for working nights, weekends, and public holidays.
- Hazard Allowance: For clinical exposure to infectious and life-threatening cases.
- Rural Posting Allowance: Given to doctors posted to remote or underserved areas.
- Clinical Duty Allowance: For direct patient care and ward rounds.
- Teaching Allowance: For doctors who also lecture in teaching hospitals or medical schools.
- Specialist Allowance: Paid to consultants with postgraduate certifications.
- Housing Allowance: Monthly subsidy to cover accommodation needs.
- Transport Allowance: Subsidy for daily commuting.
- Annual Leave Bonus: Extra pay during approved leave periods.
- 13th-Month Bonus: End-of-year salary bonus.
- Pension Contributions: Deducted monthly as part of a government-backed retirement plan.
- NHIS Health Cover: Federal health insurance for staff and their dependents.
With these allowances added, a doctor’s total monthly earnings may increase by 40–80% above the basic salary.
Salary Progression & Promotion Timeline
Salary progression under CONMESS depends on:
- Years of service (step increment yearly)
- Promotions (e.g. from Registrar to Senior Registrar)
- Postgraduate training (e.g. passing residency exams to become a consultant)
- Specialty certification
- Administrative responsibilities (e.g. becoming Head of Department)
Doctors are typically promoted every 3–5 years, depending on performance and institutional policies. Steps within each grade also increase pay automatically every year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What’s the starting salary for a new doctor in Nigeria?
A fresh graduate working as a house officer (CONMESS 01) earns between ₦250,000 to ₦280,000 monthly (basic), plus allowances.
Q2: What is the salary of a consultant doctor?
Consultants (CONMESS 06–07) earn between ₦550,000 and ₦750,000 monthly (basic), with total earnings reaching ₦900,000–₦1.2 million with allowances.
Q3: Do rural postings come with extra pay?
Yes. Doctors posted to rural or underserved locations receive rural posting allowances in addition to their normal salary and benefits.
Q4: Are teaching doctors paid extra?
Yes. Those who teach in teaching hospitals receive teaching allowances, especially if they are on academic appointments.
Q5: Can a medical officer become a consultant?
Absolutely. With postgraduate residency training and successful board exams, a medical officer can rise from CONMESS 03 to CONMESS 06 or 07 as a certified consultant.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 CONMESS salary scale remains one of the most structured and rewarding salary systems in Nigeria’s public service. It ensures that doctors and dentists receive appropriate compensation for their years of training, level of responsibility, and risk exposure in the medical field.
Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for a senior role, the CONMESS system offers stability, regular progression, generous allowances, and long-term benefits.
