CONHESS Salary Structure 2026: Full Step-by-Step Scale (CONHESS 1-15) for Nurses, Pharmacists & Health Workers
The full CONHESS salary structure 2026 — grade by grade, step by step. Monthly figures for CONHESS 1 to CONHESS 15, including CONHESS 6, 7, 8 and 9 step salaries for nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists and radiographers.
By Dr. Jethro Magaji
Duration
10 MINSQuick Answer
The CONHESS salary structure (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) sets pay for all Nigerian government health workers except doctors and dental surgeons — that means nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists and more. Based on the scale effective 29th July 2024, monthly basic salaries run from about ₦70,000 at CONHESS 1 up to ₦560,000+ at CONHESS 15 (director level). The most-searched grades — where most nurses, pharmacists and lab scientists sit — are CONHESS 6 (~₦120,000) through CONHESS 12 (~₦363,000).
Note: All figures are based on the CONHESS salary structure effective 29th July 2024, published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Step figures are representative approximations of the published scale — confirm exact per-step amounts on the official NSIWC scale before relying on them.
Earn More Beyond the CONHESS Scale
How CONHESS works
CONHESS has 15 grade levels (CONHESS 1 to CONHESS 15), each with incremental steps (annual increments). Your pay rises two ways:
- Promotion — moving up a grade level (e.g., CONHESS 07 → CONHESS 08) through experience and exams. The bigger jump.
- Annual increment — moving up one step within your grade each year. The steady rise.
Which grade you start on depends on your qualification:
- Diploma RN / certificate holders often enter around CONHESS 6
- BSc holders (Nursing, Pharmacy, MLS, Radiography, Physiotherapy) typically enter at CONHESS 7–8
- Interns (pharmacy, MLS) are often on CONHESS 8 during internship
CONHESS pays less than CONMESS (the doctors' scale) at equivalent levels.
CONHESS salary structure 2026 — master step table
| CONHESS Grade | Step 1 (₦/mo) | Step 2 (₦/mo) | Step 5 (₦/mo) | Top Step (₦/mo) | Who's usually here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONHESS 1 | ₦70,000 | ₦71,500 | ₦76,000 | ₦82,000 | Support staff |
| CONHESS 2 | ₦75,000 | ₦76,500 | ₦81,000 | ₦88,000 | Support staff |
| CONHESS 3 | ₦80,000 | ₦82,000 | ₦87,000 | ₦95,000 | Assistants |
| CONHESS 4 | ₦83,000 | ₦85,000 | ₦91,000 | ₦100,000 | Auxiliary nurses |
| CONHESS 5 | ₦90,000 | ₦93,000 | ₦101,000 | ₦115,000 | Experienced auxiliaries |
| CONHESS 6 | ₦120,000 | ₦124,000 | ₦135,000 | ₦150,000 | Entry RN (diploma) |
| CONHESS 7 | ₦156,000 | ₦161,000 | ₦174,000 | ₦190,000 | BSc RN / MLS / Pharmacist (entry) |
| CONHESS 8 | ₦175,000 | ₦181,000 | ₦196,000 | ₦212,000 | Interns / mid-level |
| CONHESS 9 | ₦199,000 | ₦205,000 | ₦221,000 | ₦240,000 | Senior officers |
| CONHESS 10 | ₦228,000 | ₦235,000 | ₦252,000 | ₦270,000 | Specialist / principal |
| CONHESS 11 | ₦264,000 | ₦272,000 | ₦291,000 | ₦310,000 | Assistant chief |
| CONHESS 12 | ₦300,000 | ₦309,000 | ₦333,000 | ₦363,000 | Chief Nursing Officer / Chief |
| CONHESS 13 | ₦340,000 | ₦350,000 | ₦378,000 | ₦410,000 | Assistant director |
| CONHESS 14 | ₦400,000 | ₦412,000 | ₦443,000 | ₦480,000 | Deputy director |
| CONHESS 15 | ₦470,000 | ₦484,000 | ₦520,000 | ₦560,000+ | Director |
Basic salary only. Shift, hazard, call and specialist allowances are added on top and vary by cadre and posting. Figures for the lowest (1–3) and highest (13–15) grades are approximate; the heavily searched middle grades (6–12) align with our nurse, pharmacist and lab scientist salary guides.
Most-searched CONHESS steps (quick reference)
These are the exact figures people search for most often:
| Search | Grade/Step | Approx. monthly basic |
|---|---|---|
| CONHESS 6 step 1 salary | CONHESS 6, Step 1 | ~₦120,000 |
| CONHESS 6 step 2 salary | CONHESS 6, Step 2 | ~₦124,000 |
| CONHESS 7 step 2 salary | CONHESS 7, Step 2 | ~₦161,000 |
| CONHESS 7 step 2 salary per month | CONHESS 7, Step 2 | ~₦161,000 |
| CONHESS 8 step 2 salary | CONHESS 8, Step 2 | ~₦181,000 |
| CONHESS 9 step 2 salary | CONHESS 9, Step 2 | ~₦205,000 |
⚠️ These are approximations of the published CONHESS scale. For an exact "CONHESS 7 Step 2 salary scale PDF," download the official scale from NSIWC — that document is the authoritative source.
CONHESS by profession (where each cadre sits)
| Profession | Typical entry grade | Typical senior grade | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses (RN) | CONHESS 6–7 | CONHESS 11–12 | Nurse Salary Nigeria 2026 |
| Pharmacists | CONHESS 8 (intern) → 9 | CONHESS 13–15 | Pharmacist Salary Nigeria 2026 |
| Medical Lab Scientists | CONHESS 8 → 9 | CONHESS 13–14 | Lab Scientist Salary Nigeria 2026 |
| Radiographers | CONHESS 8 → 9 | CONHESS 13–14 | Radiographer Salary Nigeria 2026 |
| Physiotherapists | CONHESS 8 → 9 | CONHESS 13–14 | Physiotherapist Salary Nigeria 2026 |
CONHESS grade highlights
CONHESS 6 — Entry RN (₦120,000–₦150,000)
Diploma/certificate registered nurses usually start here. With allowances, take-home often reaches ₦140,000–₦180,000.
CONHESS 7 — BSc entry (₦156,000–₦190,000)
The landing grade for many BSc Nursing, Pharmacy, MLS and Radiography graduates. CONHESS 7 Step 2 ≈ ₦161,000/month basic — one of the most-searched figures in Nigerian healthcare.
CONHESS 8–9 — Interns & mid-level (₦175,000–₦240,000)
Pharmacy and MLS interns are commonly placed on CONHESS 8. Promotion to CONHESS 9 marks the move into senior-officer territory.
CONHESS 10–12 — Senior & specialist (₦228,000–₦363,000)
Specialist nurses, principal officers, and Chief Nursing Officers. The top of the structure for most clinical staff.
CONHESS 13–15 — Management/Director (₦340,000–₦560,000+)
Assistant directors, deputy directors and directors of nursing/pharmaceutical/laboratory services.
CONHESS vs CONMESS at a glance
| CONHESS | CONMESS | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Nurses, pharmacists, MLS, radiographers, physios, etc. | Doctors & dental surgeons only |
| Entry (approx.) | ₦120,000 (CONHESS 6) | ₦263,000 (CONMESS 1) |
| Top (approx.) | ₦560,000+ (CONHESS 15) | ₦1,230,000+ (CONMESS 7) |
See CONMESS Salary Structure 2026 and the Doctor vs Nurse Salary comparison.
Growing income beyond CONHESS
CONHESS basic pay is a floor, not a ceiling. Health workers raise income through:
- Private-sector roles (15–30% above CONHESS) and locum shifts
- Specialization (ICU, theatre, dialysis nursing; clinical pharmacy) which lifts you up grades faster
- Side hustles and private practice — for those who open a facility, a modern, affordable EHR like ClinikEHR keeps records, scheduling and billing manageable. See Best EMR for Private Clinics in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CONHESS salary structure?
CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) is the official Nigerian government pay scale for health workers other than doctors and dental surgeons. It has 15 grade levels with steps, from CONHESS 1 (~₦70,000/month) to CONHESS 15 (~₦560,000+/month).
2. How much is CONHESS 7 Step 2 salary per month?
CONHESS 7 Step 2 is approximately ₦161,000/month basic, before allowances. CONHESS 7 is the typical entry grade for BSc Nursing, Pharmacy, MLS and Radiography graduates. Confirm the exact figure on the official NSIWC scale.
3. What grade level are nurses on CONHESS?
Diploma RNs typically start at CONHESS 6 (~₦120,000) and BSc RNs at CONHESS 7 (~₦156,000). Senior nurses and Chief Nursing Officers reach CONHESS 11–12 (~₦264,000–₦363,000).
4. Is there a new CONHESS salary structure for 2026?
The figures here are based on the CONHESS scale effective 29th July 2024, which remains the reference scale. Always verify with NSIWC, as the government can revise the scale.
5. Where can I get the CONHESS salary structure PDF?
The authoritative CONHESS scale (including exact per-step figures and a downloadable PDF) is published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission at nsiwc.gov.ng.
6. What is the difference between CONHESS and CONMESS?
CONHESS covers all health workers except doctors and dental surgeons; CONMESS covers doctors and dental surgeons only and pays more at every level.
Conclusion
CONHESS is the backbone of pay for Nigeria's nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists and radiographers — 15 grades, each with annual step increments. Knowing exactly where you sit (and the step above you) helps you benchmark your pay and plan promotions. Use this scale as a guide, then confirm the precise figures on the official NSIWC scale.
Disclaimer: The salary figures here are estimates based on the official CONHESS salary structure (effective 29th July 2024) published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Step-level figures are representative approximations and may differ from the official scale due to rounding or revisions. These figures are not fixed or guaranteed — actual pay varies by employer, step, allowances, deductions and posting. Verify directly with the NSIWC website or your employer's HR department. For informational purposes only; not professional advice. ClinikEHR and its authors are not liable for decisions made based on this information.
Related Articles
- CONMESS Salary Structure 2026: Full Step-by-Step Scale
- Nurse Salary Nigeria 2026: CONHESS Guide
- Pharmacist Salary Nigeria 2026: Complete Guide
- Lab Scientist Salary Nigeria 2026: Complete Guide
- Radiographer Salary Nigeria 2026: Complete Guide
- Physiotherapist Salary Nigeria 2026: Complete Guide
- Doctor vs Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2026
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