Radiographer Salary Nigeria 2026: CONHESS Pay, Private Sector & Career Guide
Radiographer salary in Nigeria 2026: ₦175K–480K monthly on the CONHESS scale. Intern, entry, senior and chief radiographer pay by sector, plus radiography vs nursing salary compared.
By Dr. Jethro Magaji
Duration
6 MINSQuick Answer
Radiographers in Nigeria earn approximately ₦175,000–₦480,000 monthly on the CONHESS salary structure. Interns and entry-level radiographers on CONHESS 8–9 earn ₦175,000–₦240,000, mid-level radiographers on CONHESS 10–11 earn ₦228,000–₦310,000, and senior/chief radiographers on CONHESS 12–14 earn ₦300,000–₦480,000. Private hospitals and diagnostic centres typically pay 15–30% above CONHESS, and radiographers in busy imaging centres can earn more through call and procedure volume.
Note: Government figures are based on the CONHESS scale effective 29th July 2024 published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Private figures are industry estimates.
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Radiographer salary by career stage
| Stage | CONHESS Level | Monthly (Govt) | Monthly (Private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern Radiographer | CONHESS 8 | ₦175,000–₦212,000 | ₦190,000–₦250,000 |
| Entry Radiographer (post-intern) | CONHESS 9 | ₦199,000–₦240,000 | ₦230,000–₦300,000 |
| Radiographer II / Senior | CONHESS 10 | ₦228,000–₦270,000 | ₦260,000–₦340,000 |
| Principal Radiographer | CONHESS 11 | ₦264,000–₦310,000 | ₦300,000–₦390,000 |
| Chief Radiographer | CONHESS 12 | ₦300,000–₦363,000 | ₦340,000–₦450,000 |
| Assistant/Deputy Director | CONHESS 13–14 | ₦340,000–₦480,000 | ₦400,000–₦560,000 |
Basic + typical allowances. Imaging allowances, call duty and hazard pay can add ₦30,000–₦150,000+ depending on facility and modality (CT, MRI, fluoroscopy).
Where radiographers sit on CONHESS
Radiographers hold a BSc in Radiography and are registered with the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN). Because it's a degree-entry profession, radiographers usually enter at CONHESS 8 for internship, then move to CONHESS 9 after completing internship and NYSC — a grade or two higher than diploma nurses (CONHESS 6). For the full scale, see the CONHESS Salary Structure 2026.
Radiography vs nursing salary in Nigeria
A common question — here's the honest comparison:
| Radiographer | Nurse (RN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry grade | CONHESS 8–9 | CONHESS 6–7 |
| Entry monthly | ₦175,000–₦240,000 | ₦120,000–₦156,000 |
| Senior monthly | ₦300,000–₦480,000 | ₦264,000–₦363,000 |
Radiographers generally start higher because BSc Radiography enters CONHESS a grade or two above diploma nursing. However, nursing offers far greater international mobility (UK/US/Canada/Gulf demand), which can outweigh the domestic gap. See Nurse Salary Nigeria 2026 and the full Doctor vs Nurse comparison.
How radiographers increase income
- Private diagnostic centres — CT/MRI-heavy centres pay premiums and offer procedure-based incentives.
- Sub-specialization — MRI, CT, interventional and ultrasound skills raise market value.
- Locum imaging shifts — flexible extra income in urban centres.
- Teleradiography & reporting support — a growing niche as imaging digitizes.
- Owning/co-owning a diagnostic centre — the highest ceiling. A modern, affordable practice platform like ClinikEHR helps imaging and clinic owners manage patient records, scheduling and billing. See Best EMR for Private Clinics in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a radiographer earn in Nigeria?
Radiographers earn approximately ₦175,000–₦480,000 monthly on CONHESS, depending on grade and sector. Interns/entry earn ₦175,000–₦240,000 (CONHESS 8–9); chief radiographers reach ₦300,000–₦480,000 (CONHESS 12–14). Private centres pay 15–30% more.
2. What CONHESS level are radiographers on?
Radiographers typically start on CONHESS 8 (internship) and move to CONHESS 9 after internship and NYSC, progressing to CONHESS 12–14 at senior/management levels.
3. Do radiographers earn more than nurses in Nigeria?
At entry, usually yes — radiographers enter CONHESS a grade or two above diploma nurses. But nursing offers stronger international mobility, which can make total earning potential higher abroad.
4. How much do radiographers earn in private hospitals?
Private hospitals and diagnostic centres typically pay 15–30% above CONHESS, plus procedure and call incentives — often ₦230,000–₦560,000 monthly depending on experience and modality.
5. How do I increase my radiographer salary?
Sub-specialize (MRI/CT/interventional), take locum shifts, move into private diagnostic centres, or co-own an imaging centre. Management progression (CONHESS 13–14) also raises pay.
Conclusion
Radiography is one of Nigeria's better-paid CONHESS professions, entering above diploma nursing and climbing steadily to ₦480,000+ at senior levels — with strong private-sector and diagnostic-centre upside. Benchmark your grade on the CONHESS scale and verify exact figures with NSIWC.
Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on the official CONHESS scale (effective 29th July 2024) published by the NSIWC. Private figures are industry estimates. Actual pay varies by employer, step, allowances, deductions and location. Verify with NSIWC or your employer's HR. For informational purposes only; not professional advice. ClinikEHR and its authors are not liable for decisions made based on this information.
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