Prices as at 15 October 2026, checked weekly. Base location Abuja.

Construction labour rates in Nigeria: daily pay by trade

As at 15 October 2026, a mason in Abuja earns about ₦15,000 a day, a labourer about ₦7,000, a carpenter about ₦17,000 and an electrician about ₦18,500. Buildocrat's all-in rates add 31% for feeding, transport, idle time, statutory costs and tools. This page lists 98 trades, plant operators and site staff grades with estimates for Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Construction labour rates in Nigeria (Oct 2026)

Trade / grade	Type	Wage (Abuja)	Range	All-in day (Abuja)	Lagos	Port Harcourt	Kano
Unskilled labourer	Craft	₦7,000 / day	₦5,000 - ₦8,000	₦9,170	₦9,904	₦8,712	₦6,878
Mason / bricklayer	Craft	₦15,000 / day	₦12,000 - ₦18,000	₦19,650	₦21,222	₦18,668	₦14,738
Plasterer / screeder	Craft	₦13,500 / day	₦10,000 - ₦16,000	₦17,685	₦19,100	₦16,801	₦13,264
Concrete finisher (power float)	Craft	₦14,500 / day	₦12,000 - ₦17,000	₦18,995	₦20,515	₦18,045	₦14,246
Carpenter (formwork & roof)	Craft	₦17,000 / day	₦14,000 - ₦20,000	₦22,270	₦24,052	₦21,156	₦16,702
Joiner / cabinet maker	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦15,000 - ₦22,000	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
Iron bender / steel fixer	Craft	₦15,000 / day	₦12,000 - ₦18,000	₦19,650	₦21,222	₦18,668	₦14,738
Electrician	Craft	₦18,500 / day	₦15,000 - ₦22,000	₦24,235	₦26,174	₦23,023	₦18,176
Electrician's mate	Craft	₦9,000 / day	₦7,000 - ₦10,000	₦11,790	₦12,733	₦11,200	₦8,842
Plumber	Craft	₦17,000 / day	₦14,000 - ₦20,000	₦22,270	₦24,052	₦21,156	₦16,702
Plumber's mate	Craft	₦9,000 / day	₦7,000 - ₦10,000	₦11,790	₦12,733	₦11,200	₦8,842
Tiler	Craft	₦15,000 / day	₦12,000 - ₦18,000	₦19,650	₦21,222	₦18,668	₦14,738
Marble/granite fitter & polisher	Craft	₦17,000 / day	₦14,000 - ₦22,000	₦22,270	₦24,052	₦21,156	₦16,702
Painter	Craft	₦12,500 / day	₦10,000 - ₦14,000	₦16,375	₦17,685	₦15,556	₦12,281
POP / ceiling installer	Craft	₦14,500 / day	₦12,000 - ₦18,000	₦18,995	₦20,515	₦18,045	₦14,246
Roofer (sheeting)	Craft	₦16,000 / day	₦13,000 - ₦20,000	₦20,960	₦22,637	₦19,912	₦15,720
Waterproofing applicator	Craft	₦16,000 / day	₦13,000 - ₦20,000	₦20,960	₦22,637	₦19,912	₦15,720
Welder / fabricator	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦15,000 - ₦22,000	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
Steel erector	Craft	₦20,000 / day	₦16,000 - ₦24,000	₦26,200	₦28,296	₦24,890	₦19,650
Rigger / banksman	Craft	₦16,000 / day	₦13,000 - ₦20,000	₦20,960	₦22,637	₦19,912	₦15,720
Scaffolder	Craft	₦14,000 / day	₦11,000 - ₦16,000	₦18,340	₦19,807	₦17,423	₦13,755
Aluminium fabricator / glazier	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦15,000 - ₦22,000	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
AC / HVAC technician	Craft	₦20,000 / day	₦15,000 - ₦25,000	₦26,200	₦28,296	₦24,890	₦19,650
Low-current / CCTV technician	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦14,000 - ₦22,000	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
Block moulder	Craft	₦12,000 / day	₦10,000 - ₦14,000	₦15,720	₦16,978	₦14,934	₦11,790
Interlock/paving layer	Craft	₦13,000 / day	₦11,000 - ₦16,000	₦17,030	₦18,392	₦16,178	₦12,772
Pipe layer (drainage)	Craft	₦14,000 / day	₦11,000 - ₦17,000	₦18,340	₦19,807	₦17,423	₦13,755
Landscaper / gardener	Craft	₦9,000 / day	₦7,000 - ₦11,000	₦11,790	₦12,733	₦11,200	₦8,842
Asphalt crew hand (raker/lute)	Craft	₦12,000 / day	₦9,000 - ₦14,000	₦15,720	₦16,978	₦14,934	₦11,790
Chainman / survey assistant	Craft	₦8,000 / day	₦7,000 - ₦10,000	₦10,480	₦11,318	₦9,956	₦7,860
Watchman / security guard	Craft	₦7,000 / day	₦6,000 - ₦9,000	₦9,170	₦9,904	₦8,712	₦6,878
Storekeeper	Craft	₦9,500 / day	₦8,000 - ₦12,000	₦12,445	₦13,441	₦11,823	₦9,334
Generator attendant	Craft	₦9,000 / day	₦7,000 - ₦11,000	₦11,790	₦12,733	₦11,200	₦8,842
Plant operator - general (roller/loader)	Operator	₦25,000 / day	₦20,000 - ₦35,000	₦32,750	₦35,370	₦31,112	₦24,562
Excavator / backhoe operator	Operator	₦30,000 / day	₦25,000 - ₦40,000	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
Dozer / grader operator	Operator	₦32,000 / day	₦28,000 - ₦42,000	₦41,920	₦45,274	₦39,824	₦31,440
Crane operator	Operator	₦40,000 / day	₦35,000 - ₦55,000	₦52,400	₦56,592	₦49,780	₦39,300
Asphalt paver screed operator	Operator	₦30,000 / day	₦25,000 - ₦40,000	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
Heavy goods driver (tipper/trailer)	Operator	₦20,000 / day	₦15,000 - ₦25,000	₦26,200	₦28,296	₦24,890	₦19,650
Light vehicle driver	Operator	₦12,000 / day	₦10,000 - ₦15,000	₦15,720	₦16,978	₦14,934	₦11,790
Dredge master / operator	Operator	₦45,000 / day	₦35,000 - ₦60,000	₦58,950	₦63,666	₦56,002	₦44,212
Foreman / site supervisor	Staff	₦300,000 / month	-	₦14,458	₦15,614	₦13,735	₦10,843
Site engineer (COREN-registered)	Staff	₦450,000 / month	-	₦21,687	₦23,421	₦20,602	₦16,265
Quantity surveyor	Staff	₦450,000 / month	-	₦21,687	₦23,421	₦20,602	₦16,265
Site / construction manager	Staff	₦750,000 / month	-	₦36,144	₦39,036	₦34,337	₦27,108
Project manager	Staff	₦1,000,000 / month	-	₦48,192	₦52,048	₦45,783	₦36,144
Land surveyor	Staff	₦400,000 / month	-	₦19,277	₦20,819	₦18,313	₦14,458
HSE officer	Staff	₦350,000 / month	-	₦16,867	₦18,217	₦16,024	₦12,650
Materials lab technician	Staff	₦250,000 / month	-	₦12,048	₦13,012	₦11,446	₦9,036
Timekeeper / site clerk	Staff	₦180,000 / month	-	₦8,675	₦9,369	₦8,241	₦6,506
Site admin / accounts officer	Staff	₦250,000 / month	-	₦12,048	₦13,012	₦11,446	₦9,036
Pipeline welder (6G coded)	Craft	₦45,000 / day	₦36,000 - ₦56,200	₦58,950	₦63,666	₦56,002	₦44,212
Pipe fitter	Craft	₦30,000 / day	₦24,000 - ₦37,500	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
Coating applicator	Craft	₦20,000 / day	₦16,000 - ₦25,000	₦26,200	₦28,296	₦24,890	₦19,650
Abrasive blaster / industrial painter	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦14,400 - ₦22,500	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
NDT technician (RT/UT Level II)	Craft	₦50,000 / day	₦40,000 - ₦62,500	₦65,500	₦70,740	₦62,225	₦49,125
Insulation technician	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦14,400 - ₦22,500	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
Instrument technician	Craft	₦35,000 / day	₦28,000 - ₦43,800	₦45,850	₦49,518	₦43,558	₦34,388
Commercial diver	Craft	₦150,000 / day	₦120,000 - ₦187,500	₦196,500	₦212,220	₦186,675	₦147,375
Deckhand / marine crew	Craft	₦15,000 / day	₦12,000 - ₦18,800	₦19,650	₦21,222	₦18,668	₦14,738
Dredge crew member	Craft	₦25,000 / day	₦20,000 - ₦31,200	₦32,750	₦35,370	₦31,112	₦24,562
Piling hand	Craft	₦12,000 / day	₦9,600 - ₦15,000	₦15,720	₦16,978	₦14,934	₦11,790
Geotechnical technician	Craft	₦25,000 / day	₦20,000 - ₦31,200	₦32,750	₦35,370	₦31,112	₦24,562
Rail track worker	Craft	₦12,000 / day	₦9,600 - ₦15,000	₦15,720	₦16,978	₦14,934	₦11,790
Rail welder (thermite)	Craft	₦35,000 / day	₦28,000 - ₦43,800	₦45,850	₦49,518	₦43,558	₦34,388
Lineman (overhead lines)	Craft	₦18,000 / day	₦14,400 - ₦22,500	₦23,580	₦25,466	₦22,401	₦17,685
HV cable jointer	Craft	₦40,000 / day	₦32,000 - ₦50,000	₦52,400	₦56,592	₦49,780	₦39,300
HV electrician	Craft	₦30,000 / day	₦24,000 - ₦37,500	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
Lift technician	Craft	₦35,000 / day	₦28,000 - ₦43,800	₦45,850	₦49,518	₦43,558	₦34,388
Fire systems technician	Craft	₦25,000 / day	₦20,000 - ₦31,200	₦32,750	₦35,370	₦31,112	₦24,562
Network / ICT technician	Craft	₦22,000 / day	₦17,600 - ₦27,500	₦28,820	₦31,126	₦27,379	₦21,615
Stone mason	Craft	₦16,000 / day	₦12,800 - ₦20,000	₦20,960	₦22,637	₦19,912	₦15,720
Drywall installer	Craft	₦14,000 / day	₦11,200 - ₦17,500	₦18,340	₦19,807	₦17,423	₦13,755
Armed security escort (per day)	Craft	₦25,000 / day	₦20,000 - ₦31,200	₦32,750	₦35,370	₦31,112	₦24,562
Camp cook	Craft	₦10,000 / day	₦8,000 - ₦12,500	₦13,100	₦14,148	₦12,445	₦9,825
Flagman / traffic controller	Craft	₦8,000 / day	₦6,400 - ₦10,000	₦10,480	₦11,318	₦9,956	₦7,860
Crane barge operator	Operator	₦60,000 / day	₦48,000 - ₦75,000	₦78,600	₦84,888	₦74,670	₦58,950
Tug master	Operator	₦90,000 / day	₦72,000 - ₦112,500	₦117,900	₦127,332	₦112,005	₦88,425
Sideboom (pipelayer) operator	Operator	₦45,000 / day	₦36,000 - ₦56,200	₦58,950	₦63,666	₦56,002	₦44,212
HDD rig operator	Operator	₦60,000 / day	₦48,000 - ₦75,000	₦78,600	₦84,888	₦74,670	₦58,950
Piling rig operator	Operator	₦45,000 / day	₦36,000 - ₦56,200	₦58,950	₦63,666	₦56,002	₦44,212
Concrete pump operator	Operator	₦30,000 / day	₦24,000 - ₦37,500	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
Batching/asphalt plant operator	Operator	₦30,000 / day	₦24,000 - ₦37,500	₦39,300	₦42,444	₦37,335	₦29,475
QA/QC engineer	Staff	₦550,000 / month	-	₦26,506	₦28,626	₦25,180	₦19,879
QA/QC inspector	Staff	₦350,000 / month	-	₦16,867	₦18,217	₦16,024	₦12,650
Planner / scheduler	Staff	₦600,000 / month	-	₦28,915	₦31,229	₦27,470	₦21,687
Document controller	Staff	₦250,000 / month	-	₦12,048	₦13,012	₦11,446	₦9,036
Procurement officer	Staff	₦300,000 / month	-	₦14,458	₦15,614	₦13,735	₦10,843
Mechanical engineer	Staff	₦550,000 / month	-	₦26,506	₦28,626	₦25,180	₦19,879
Electrical engineer	Staff	₦550,000 / month	-	₦26,506	₦28,626	₦25,180	₦19,879
Structural engineer	Staff	₦600,000 / month	-	₦28,915	₦31,229	₦27,470	₦21,687
Geotechnical engineer	Staff	₦600,000 / month	-	₦28,915	₦31,229	₦27,470	₦21,687
Environmental officer	Staff	₦350,000 / month	-	₦16,867	₦18,217	₦16,024	₦12,650
Community liaison officer	Staff	₦300,000 / month	-	₦14,458	₦15,614	₦13,735	₦10,843
Pipeline / oil & gas project engineer	Staff	₦900,000 / month	-	₦43,373	₦46,843	₦41,204	₦32,530
Welding inspector (CSWIP 3.1)	Staff	₦800,000 / month	-	₦38,554	₦41,638	₦36,626	₦28,915
Marine superintendent	Staff	₦900,000 / month	-	₦43,373	₦46,843	₦41,204	₦32,530
Camp manager	Staff	₦300,000 / month	-	₦14,458	₦15,614	₦13,735	₦10,843

Staff are shown as monthly salaries; their all-in day = salary / 26 x (1 + 25.3% on-costs). City columns apply Buildocrat's labour location factors.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a bricklayer (mason) paid per day in Nigeria?

About ₦15,000 a day in Abuja (range ₦12,000 to ₦18,000) as at 15 October 2026; about ₦16,200 in Lagos.

How much is a labourer paid per day in Nigeria?

About ₦7,000 a day in Abuja (range ₦5,000 to ₦8,000).

How much do carpenters, iron benders and tilers charge per day?

In Abuja: carpenter about ₦17,000, iron bender about ₦15,000, tiler about ₦15,000, electrician about ₦18,500 and plumber about ₦17,000 per day.

What is the 'all-in' labour rate?

The daily wage plus 31% for feeding, transport, non-productive time, statutory cover and small tools. It is the true cost to a contractor, and the rate used in Buildocrat's BoQ build-ups.

How much is a site engineer paid in Nigeria?

Buildocrat uses ₦450,000 a month for a COREN-registered site engineer in Abuja, before on-costs of 25.3% (pension, NSITF, ITF, HMO and leave).

How to cite: Buildocrat, Nigeria Construction Rate Book, https://rates.buildocrat.store/labour/, prices as at 15 October 2026.