CONHESS Salary Structure 2026: Full Step-by-Step Scale (CONHESS 1-15) for Nurses, Pharmacists & Health Workers

Q: Where can I get the CONHESS salary structure PDF?

ClinikEHR publishes a free quick reference PDF at clinikehr.com/downloads/conhess-conmess-quick-reference-2027.pdf with every CONHESS step in monthly figures (official) plus the approximate CONMESS grades. The circular itself (annual figures) is published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission at nsiwc.gov.ng.

The full CONHESS salary structure, every step of every grade from the official NSIWC scale effective 29 July 2024. 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

May 15, 2026

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16 MINS

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Quick Answer

CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) is the pay scale for Nigerian government health workers other than doctors and dentists. Doctors and dentists are paid on CONMESS.

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. On the scale effective 29 July 2024, monthly basic salaries run from ₦77,500 at CONHESS 1, Step 1 up to ₦678,842 at the top step of CONHESS 15 (director level). The most-searched grades — where most nurses, pharmacists and lab scientists sit — run from CONHESS 6 (₦119,959 at Step 1) to CONHESS 12 (up to ₦376,644).

Source: Every CONHESS figure on this page is from the official table in NSIWC circular SWC.04/T/210 of 23 September 2024 (the Consolidated Health Salary Structure effective 29 July 2024), published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The circular prints annual figures; we divide by 12 and round to the naira. Basic salary only: allowances are paid on top, and your payslip will also show deductions.

Last checked: 25 September 2026.

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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	₦77,500	₦78,262	₦80,546	₦88,162	Support staff
CONHESS 2	₦77,870	₦78,806	₦81,615	₦90,976	Support staff
CONHESS 3	₦79,177	₦80,302	₦83,675	₦94,920	Assistants
CONHESS 4	₦83,012	₦84,319	₦88,240	₦101,310	Auxiliary nurses
CONHESS 5	₦90,172	₦91,765	₦96,542	₦112,468	Experienced auxiliaries
CONHESS 6	₦119,959	₦122,885	₦131,662	₦160,918	Entry RN (diploma)
CONHESS 7	₦155,990	₦159,929	₦171,743	₦211,125	BSc RN (entry)
CONHESS 8	₦174,566	₦179,199	₦193,096	₦239,422	Interns / mid-level
CONHESS 9	₦199,076	₦203,491	₦218,817	₦269,903	Senior officers
CONHESS 10	₦228,813	₦233,444	₦247,339	₦275,129	Specialist / principal
CONHESS 11	₦264,310	₦269,354	₦284,488	₦314,755	Assistant chief
CONHESS 12	₦306,344	₦313,374	₦334,464	₦376,644	Chief Nursing Officer / Chief
CONHESS 13	₦360,706	₦370,262	₦398,928	₦437,150	Assistant director
CONHESS 14	₦434,832	₦446,164	₦480,159	₦525,486	Deputy director
CONHESS 15	₦566,258	₦580,331	₦622,550	₦678,842	Director

Monthly basic salary: the annual figures in NSIWC circular SWC.04/T/210 (effective 29 July 2024) divided by 12 and rounded to the naira. "Who's usually here" is our label, not the circular's. Grades 1–9 have 15 steps, 10–12 have 11, 13–15 have 9; every step is in the full table below. CONHESS 9: Step 2 rises by ₦52,989 from Step 1 while every other step in this grade rises by ₦61,302; that is how the circular prints it.

Basic salary only. Shift, hazard, call and specialist allowances are added on top and vary by cadre and posting. For what each profession earns at each grade, see our nurse, pharmacist and lab scientist salary guides.

Every CONHESS step

Every step of every grade, for people who want the exact figure for their own step rather than the Step 1 / Step 5 / top-step summary above.

Grade	Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5	Step 6	Step 7	Step 8	Step 9	Step 10	Step 11	Step 12	Step 13	Step 14	Step 15
1	₦77,500	₦78,262	₦79,023	₦79,785	₦80,546	₦81,308	₦82,069	₦82,831	₦83,593	₦84,354	₦85,116	₦85,877	₦86,639	₦87,400	₦88,162
2	₦77,870	₦78,806	₦79,742	₦80,679	₦81,615	₦82,551	₦83,487	₦84,423	₦85,359	₦86,295	₦87,232	₦88,168	₦89,104	₦90,040	₦90,976
3	₦79,177	₦80,302	₦81,426	₦82,551	₦83,675	₦84,800	₦85,924	₦87,048	₦88,173	₦89,297	₦90,422	₦91,546	₦92,671	₦93,795	₦94,920
4	₦83,012	₦84,319	₦85,626	₦86,933	₦88,240	₦89,547	₦90,854	₦92,161	₦93,468	₦94,775	₦96,082	₦97,389	₦98,696	₦100,003	₦101,310
5	₦90,172	₦91,765	₦93,357	₦94,950	₦96,542	₦98,135	₦99,728	₦101,320	₦102,913	₦104,505	₦106,098	₦107,691	₦109,283	₦110,876	₦112,468
6	₦119,959	₦122,885	₦125,810	₦128,736	₦131,662	₦134,587	₦137,513	₦140,439	₦143,364	₦146,290	₦149,215	₦152,141	₦155,067	₦157,992	₦160,918
7	₦155,990	₦159,929	₦163,867	₦167,805	₦171,743	₦175,681	₦179,620	₦183,558	₦187,496	₦191,434	₦195,373	₦199,311	₦203,249	₦207,187	₦211,125
8	₦174,566	₦179,199	₦183,831	₦188,464	₦193,096	₦197,729	₦202,362	₦206,994	₦211,627	₦216,259	₦220,892	₦225,525	₦230,157	₦234,790	₦239,422
9	₦199,076	₦203,491	₦208,600	₦213,709	₦218,817	₦223,926	₦229,034	₦234,143	₦239,251	₦244,360	₦249,468	₦254,577	₦259,686	₦264,794	₦269,903
10	₦228,813	₦233,444	₦238,076	₦242,707	₦247,339	₦251,971	₦256,602	₦261,234	₦265,866	₦270,497	₦275,129
11	₦264,310	₦269,354	₦274,399	₦279,443	₦284,488	₦289,533	₦294,577	₦299,622	₦304,666	₦309,711	₦314,755
12	₦306,344	₦313,374	₦320,404	₦327,434	₦334,464	₦341,494	₦348,524	₦355,554	₦362,584	₦369,614	₦376,644
13	₦360,706	₦370,262	₦379,817	₦389,373	₦398,928	₦408,484	₦418,039	₦427,595	₦437,150
14	₦434,832	₦446,164	₦457,496	₦468,828	₦480,159	₦491,491	₦502,823	₦514,155	₦525,486
15	₦566,258	₦580,331	₦594,404	₦608,477	₦622,550	₦636,623	₦650,696	₦664,769	₦678,842

Monthly basic salary in naira (annual ÷ 12), every step of every grade, from NSIWC circular SWC.04/T/210. A blank cell means the grade has no such step. Allowances are paid on top.

Most-searched CONHESS steps (quick reference)

The figures people search for most often, each linked to its grade's full step table:

Search	Grade/Step	Monthly basic
CONHESS 6 step 1 salary	CONHESS 6, Step 1	₦119,959
CONHESS 6 step 2 salary	CONHESS 6, Step 2	₦122,885
CONHESS 7 step 2 salary	CONHESS 7, Step 2	₦159,929
CONHESS 7 step 2 salary per month	CONHESS 7, Step 2	₦159,929
CONHESS 8 step 2 salary	CONHESS 8, Step 2	₦179,199
CONHESS 9 step 2 salary	CONHESS 9, Step 2	₦203,491

These are the official figures (monthly = the circular's annual figure ÷ 12). For a "CONHESS 7 Step 2 salary scale PDF", download our quick reference, which lists every CONHESS step, or the circular itself from NSIWC.

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 (₦119,959–₦160,918)

Diploma/certificate registered nurses usually start here. Shift, hazard and call allowances are paid on top of the basic figure. → CONHESS 6 salary: step table

CONHESS 7 — BSc entry (₦155,990–₦211,125)

The landing grade for BSc Nursing graduates. Pharmacy, MLS and radiography graduates are usually placed on CONHESS 8 during internship (see the by-profession table above); entry grade varies by internship/registration status, so confirm with your HR. CONHESS 7 Step 2 = ₦159,929/month basic — one of the most-searched figures in Nigerian healthcare. → CONHESS 7 salary: step table

CONHESS 8–9 — Interns & mid-level (₦174,566–₦269,903)

Pharmacy and MLS interns are commonly placed on CONHESS 8. Promotion to CONHESS 9 marks the move into senior-officer territory. → CONHESS 8 salary · CONHESS 9 salary

CONHESS 10–12 — Senior & specialist (₦228,813–₦376,644)

Specialist nurses, principal officers, and Chief Nursing Officers. The top of the structure for most clinical staff. → CONHESS 12 salary: step table

CONHESS 13–15 — Management/Director (₦360,706–₦678,842)

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	₦119,959 (CONHESS 6, official)	~₦263,000 (CONMESS 1, approx.)
Top	₦678,842 (CONHESS 15, official)	~₦1,230,000+ (CONMESS 7, approx.)

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.
Going private in your own profession — start your own pharmacy, set up a private medical laboratory, or start smaller with these side hustles for nurses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the CONHESS salary structure?

CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) is the pay scale for Nigerian government health workers other than doctors and dentists, who are paid on CONMESS. It has 15 grade levels with steps, from CONHESS 1 (₦77,500/month at Step 1) to CONHESS 15 (₦678,842/month at the top step), on the scale effective 29 July 2024.

2. How much is CONHESS 7 Step 2 salary per month?

CONHESS 7 Step 2 is ₦159,929/month basic (₦1,919,142 a year), before allowances, on the official scale effective 29 July 2024. CONHESS 7 is the typical entry grade for BSc Nursing graduates; pharmacy, MLS and radiography graduates usually start on CONHESS 8 as interns, though entry grade varies by internship/registration status.

3. What grade level are nurses on CONHESS?

Diploma RNs typically start at CONHESS 6 (₦119,959 at Step 1) and BSc RNs at CONHESS 7 (₦155,990). Senior nurses and Chief Nursing Officers reach CONHESS 11–12 (₦264,310–₦376,644).

4. Is there a new CONHESS salary structure for 2026?

The current scale is the one in NSIWC circular SWC.04/T/210, effective 29 July 2024, which is what this page shows. It is the latest CONHESS circular we have seen; the government can revise the scale, so check NSIWC for anything newer.

5. Where can I get the CONHESS salary structure PDF?

For a quick printable summary, Download the CONHESS & CONMESS quick reference (PDF): every CONHESS step in monthly figures (official), plus the approximate CONMESS grades. The circular itself (annual figures) 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. The basic-salary figures here are the official scale; your HR department can tell you your step and allowances.

Disclaimer: The CONHESS figures here are the basic-salary scale in NSIWC circular SWC.04/T/210 (effective 29 July 2024), published by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), converted from annual to monthly. Actual pay varies by employer, step, allowances, deductions and posting, and the government can revise the scale. Private-sector figures are industry estimates. Verify 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.

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