CONMESS Salary Structure 2026: Full Step-by-Step Scale for Doctors (CONMESS 1-7)
The CONMESS salary structure 2026 for Nigerian doctors and dental surgeons. Full grade-by-grade, step-by-step monthly figures from CONMESS 1 (House Officer) to CONMESS 7 (Director), plus the revised 2026 scale explained.
By Dr. Jethro Magaji
Duration
9 MINSQuick Answer
The CONMESS salary structure (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) governs pay for all medical doctors and dental surgeons in Nigerian government service. On the revised 2026 scale (approximately a 22–25% increase over the July 2024 structure), monthly basic salaries run from about ₦263,000 at CONMESS 1, Step 1 (House Officer) up to ₦1,230,000+ at CONMESS 7 (Director). Each of the seven grade levels has multiple steps, and you move up one step roughly every year through annual increments.
Note: All figures below are based on the CONMESS salary structure published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), with the 2026 revision reflecting an approximate 22–25% increase over the July 2024 scale. Step figures are representative approximations of the published scale — verify the exact step amounts on the official NSIWC scale before relying on them.
Benchmark Your Pay, Then Grow It
How CONMESS works
CONMESS has 7 grade levels (CONMESS 1 to CONMESS 7). Within each grade are incremental steps (annual increments). Two things move your pay:
- Promotion — moving up a grade level (e.g., CONMESS 02 → CONMESS 03) after passing exams or earning experience. This is the big jump.
- Annual increment — moving up one step within your current grade each year. This is a smaller, steady rise.
CONMESS is only for doctors and dental surgeons. Every other health worker (nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists) is paid on the separate CONHESS salary structure — which pays less at equivalent levels.
CONMESS salary structure 2026 — master table
| CONMESS Grade | Typical Role | Step 1 (₦/month) | Step 5 (₦/month) | Top Step (₦/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONMESS 1 | House Officer (Intern) | ₦263,000 | ₦295,000 | ₦338,000 |
| CONMESS 2 | Medical/Dental Officer, Junior Registrar | ₦380,000 | ₦415,000 | ₦460,000 |
| CONMESS 3 | Senior Registrar | ₦475,000 | ₦525,000 | ₦590,000 |
| CONMESS 4 | Consultant (New) | ₦562,000 | ₦620,000 | ₦685,000 |
| CONMESS 5 | Senior Consultant | ₦730,000 | ₦800,000 | ₦885,000 |
| CONMESS 6 | Chief Consultant | ₦1,020,000 | ₦1,090,000 | ₦1,150,000 |
| CONMESS 7 | Director of Medical/Dental Services | ₦1,150,000 | ₦1,190,000 | ₦1,230,000+ |
Basic salary only. Allowances (call duty, hazard, shift, specialist) are paid on top and can add ₦30,000–₦300,000+ monthly depending on grade and posting.
CONMESS grade-by-grade breakdown
CONMESS 1 — House Officer (₦263,000–₦338,000)
Fresh MBBS/MBChB or BDS graduates completing the mandatory one-year housemanship. Entry point to the structure.
- Step 1: ~₦263,000/month basic
- With allowances: ₦290,000–₦380,000
- Next move: CONMESS 2 after housemanship + full registration.
CONMESS 2 — Medical/Dental Officer & Junior Registrar (₦380,000–₦460,000)
Fully registered officers and residents who have not yet passed Part I fellowship. A wide band of doctors sit here.
- Step 1: ~₦380,000/month basic
- With allowances: ₦420,000–₦550,000
- Passing Part I promotes you to CONMESS 3.
CONMESS 3 — Senior Registrar (₦475,000–₦590,000)
Residents post-Part I, working toward fellowship (FMCP, FWACS, FMCS).
- Step 1: ~₦475,000/month basic
- With allowances: ₦520,000–₦650,000
- Earning fellowship unlocks consultant grades (CONMESS 4–6).
CONMESS 4–6 — Consultants (₦562,000–₦1,150,000)
- CONMESS 4 (New Consultant): ₦562,000–₦685,000
- CONMESS 5 (Senior Consultant): ₦730,000–₦885,000
- CONMESS 6 (Chief Consultant): ₦1,020,000–₦1,150,000
Most consultants also see private patients 1–2 days/week, adding ₦300,000–₦1.5M monthly.
CONMESS 7 — Director (₦1,150,000–₦1,230,000+)
The most senior clinical-administrative grade (Director of Medical/Dental Services and equivalents).
For the full career narrative — by specialty, location, and sector — see our Doctor Salary Nigeria 2026 guide.
Most-searched specific steps (quick reference)
| Query | Grade/Step | Approx. monthly basic |
|---|---|---|
| CONMESS salary scale for doctors | CONMESS 2, Step 1 | ~₦380,000 |
| CONMESS 6 salary per month | CONMESS 6, Step 1 | ~₦1,020,000 |
| CONMESS 7 salary per month | CONMESS 7, Step 1 | ~₦1,150,000 |
| CONMESS 3 step 2 salary | CONMESS 3, Step 2 | ~₦485,000 |
These are approximations of the published scale. The NSIWC scale is the authoritative source for exact per-step figures — always confirm before quoting them.
CONMESS vs CONHESS — why doctors earn more
| CONMESS | CONHESS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Doctors & dental surgeons | Nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, etc. |
| Entry monthly (approx.) | ₦263,000 (CONMESS 1) | ₦120,000 (CONHESS 6, RN entry) |
| Top monthly (approx.) | ₦1,230,000+ (CONMESS 7) | ₦363,000+ (CONHESS 12) |
See the full CONHESS salary structure 2026 and our Doctor vs Nurse Salary comparison.
How doctors grow income beyond CONMESS
Government basic pay is only the floor. Nigerian doctors expand income through:
- Private practice (adds ₦300,000–₦5M+ monthly) — running an efficient clinic matters. A modern EHR like ClinikEHR helps private practices manage records, scheduling, and billing without enterprise cost. See Best EMR for Private Clinics in Nigeria.
- Locum shifts, telemedicine, and medical side hustles — see Top 5 Lucrative Side Hustles for Doctors in Nigeria.
- Completing residency — each promotion (CONMESS 02 → 03 → 04) is a 20–48% basic-pay jump.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CONMESS salary structure?
CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) is the official pay scale for medical doctors and dental surgeons in Nigerian government service. It has 7 grade levels with incremental steps, from CONMESS 1 (House Officer, ~₦263,000/month) to CONMESS 7 (Director, ~₦1.23M+/month).
2. How much is CONMESS 2 salary per month?
A doctor on CONMESS 2 (Medical Officer or Junior Registrar) earns approximately ₦380,000–₦460,000/month basic depending on step, plus allowances. This is the grade most fully registered officers and pre-Part I residents fall under.
3. What is the highest CONMESS level?
CONMESS 7 (Director of Medical/Dental Services) is the highest grade, with basic pay around ₦1,150,000–₦1,230,000+/month. Chief Consultants sit at CONMESS 6 (₦1.02M–₦1.15M).
4. Was CONMESS increased in 2026?
The 2026 figures reflect an approximate 22–25% increase over the July 2024 CONMESS scale. Always verify the current published scale with NSIWC, as further adjustments can occur.
5. What is the difference between CONMESS and CONHESS?
CONMESS covers only doctors and dental surgeons and pays significantly more at every level. CONHESS covers all other health professionals (nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists).
6. How do steps work in CONMESS?
Each grade level has multiple steps. You move up one step per year through annual increments (a small rise), while promotions move you up a whole grade level (a large rise).
Conclusion
The CONMESS structure rewards progression: every promotion from House Officer to Director roughly doubles, then doubles again, your government basic pay. But the biggest earners combine CONMESS with private practice and other income streams. Use this scale to benchmark your pay — and verify exact step figures against the official NSIWC scale.
Disclaimer: The salary figures in this article are estimates based on the official CONMESS salary structure published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), with 2026 figures reflecting an approximate 22–25% increase over the July 2024 scale. Step-level figures are representative approximations and may differ slightly 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
- Doctor Salary Nigeria 2026: CONMESS Guide
- CONHESS Salary Structure 2026: Full Step-by-Step Scale
- Doctor vs Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2026
- Medical Consultant Salary Nigeria 2026
- Nurse Salary Nigeria 2026: CONHESS Guide
- Top 5 Lucrative Side Hustles for Doctors in Nigeria
- Best EMR for Private Clinics in Nigeria
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