If you are searching for the CONMESS salary structure 2026, you probably want to know one simple thing: how much do medical doctors earn under the Nigerian government salary structure at each grade level?
CONMESS, which means Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, is the salary framework used for medical and dental officers in Nigeria’s federal public service. It provides a structured way of determining basic pay, incremental steps and, depending on the applicable rules and workplace, different allowances.
For doctors, salary does not remain the same throughout their careers. A House Officer, Medical Officer, Registrar, Senior Registrar and Consultant can fall under different CONMESS grades and steps.
This guide explains the CONMESS salary structure 2026, the meaning of each grade level, how steps work, the difference between basic salary and gross pay, and why the amount a doctor receives in their bank account may be different from the figure advertised online.
Important note: The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) maintains the official salary-structure and circular archive. Its website lists a September 30, 2024 circular specifically covering the implementation of the new national minimum wage in the federal public service under CONMESS. As of 2026, online salary tables differ considerably in how they present basic salary, allowances and estimated gross earnings. Therefore, figures in this article should be treated as a practical guide rather than a substitute for an official payroll statement or current NSIWC circular.
What Is CONMESS?
CONMESS stands for Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
In simple terms, it is a government salary framework used for medical doctors and dental surgeons working in the Nigerian public service.
The NSIWC identifies CONMESS as one of the salary structures used in the federal public service. The Commission also maintains historical CONMESS documents and more recent circulars relating to salary implementation.
CONMESS is different from CONHESS, which is the Consolidated Health Salary Structure used for other categories of health workers covered by that structure.
A doctor’s salary under CONMESS can depend on several factors, including:
- CONMESS grade level
- Step within the grade
- Position or career stage
- Length of service
- Applicable government circulars
- Approved allowances
- Type of employer
- Posting and workplace
- Deductions such as pension and tax
This is why two doctors who have similar job titles may not necessarily receive exactly the same amount every month.
CONMESS Salary Structure 2026 at a Glance
There is no single figure that accurately represents what every Nigerian doctor earns under CONMESS.
Recent online 2026 salary guides publish different figures because some quote basic salary, while others combine basic pay with housing, transport, hazard, call-duty and other allowances.
One 2026 salary guide, for example, estimates basic monthly pay from about ₦263,000 for CONMESS 1 to more than ₦1.2 million at CONMESS 7, while another publishes substantially different gross figures after adding allowances.
A practical summary of the commonly reported 2026 career progression is:
| CONMESS Level | Typical Career Position | Indicative 2026 Monthly Basic Pay* |
|---|---|---|
| CONMESS 1 | House Officer | About ₦263,000–₦338,000 |
| CONMESS 2 | Medical Officer/Junior Registrar | About ₦380,000–₦460,000 |
| CONMESS 3 | Senior Registrar | About ₦475,000–₦590,000 |
| CONMESS 4 | Consultant/New Consultant level | About ₦562,000–₦685,000 |
| CONMESS 5 | Senior Consultant level | About ₦730,000–₦885,000 |
| CONMESS 6 | Chief Consultant level | About ₦1.02m–₦1.15m |
| CONMESS 7 | Senior administrative/medical leadership level | About ₦1.15m–₦1.23m+ |
*These are indicative figures reported in current online 2026 salary guides, not a claim that every doctor receives exactly these amounts. The exact salary should be confirmed against the applicable government circular and payroll.
The important point is that CONMESS salary increases as doctors progress through grades and steps.
CONMESS 1 Salary 2026: House Officer
CONMESS 1 is generally associated with the House Officer or internship stage of a doctor’s career.
After completing medical school and the required professional processes, a medical graduate who enters a government hospital for internship may be placed at this level.
A current 2026 salary guide estimates CONMESS 1 basic monthly pay at approximately ₦263,000 to ₦338,000, depending on the step.
However, another published 2026 table calculates House Officer gross pay at a different level after adding allowances. This illustrates why salary searches can produce different figures online.
For a House Officer, the final monthly amount may therefore include more than the basic salary.
Possible additional components can include applicable:
- Housing-related allowance
- Transport allowance
- Hazard allowance
- Call-duty allowance
- Other approved benefits
The actual amount depends on the employer and the applicable rules.
CONMESS 2 Salary 2026: Medical Officer
After internship, a doctor can progress into a Medical Officer position.
CONMESS 2 is commonly associated with Medical Officers and some junior doctors at the early stages of residency or professional practice.
A current 2026 estimate places basic monthly salary around ₦380,000 to ₦460,000, depending on the step.
This figure should not automatically be interpreted as take-home pay.
For example, a salary table published by CadreHealth separates basic salary from housing, transport, hazard and call-duty components and gives a much higher gross figure after allowances are added.
This distinction is important when comparing the CONMESS 2 salary in Nigeria with salaries advertised by hospitals or job websites.
CONMESS 3 Salary 2026: Senior Registrar
CONMESS 3 is commonly linked with more experienced doctors and senior registrar-level positions.
A 2026 salary guide estimates basic monthly pay at approximately ₦475,000 to ₦590,000, depending on the step.
At this stage, the doctor’s earnings can be affected by professional progression, residency status, approved allowances and the institution where the doctor works.
A doctor should therefore check the appointment letter and current payroll structure rather than relying only on a salary figure found in a blog post.
CONMESS 4 Salary 2026: Consultant-Level Position
At CONMESS 4, published salary guides associate the grade with a new consultant or comparable senior medical position.
The estimated basic monthly range reported in a 2026 guide is approximately ₦562,000 to ₦685,000.
This is another level where the difference between basic pay and total earnings becomes especially important.
A consultant’s monthly income may contain several components, depending on the applicable employment conditions. Therefore, an online statement such as “a consultant earns ₦600,000” may be referring to basic salary, while another source may be quoting gross salary.
Neither figure should automatically be assumed to be the doctor’s take-home pay.
CONMESS 5 Salary 2026: Senior Consultant Level
Doctors who progress further may move into CONMESS 5.
Current 2026 salary information published online places the basic monthly range at approximately ₦730,000 to ₦885,000, depending on the step.
At this level, the doctor’s earnings may also be affected by specialist responsibilities, approved allowances and administrative duties.
It is important to remember that CONMESS is a structured salary system. A grade is not necessarily the same thing as a job title in every institution.
CONMESS 6 Salary 2026: Chief Consultant Level
CONMESS 6 represents a higher seniority level.
One current 2026 guide places the basic monthly salary at approximately ₦1.02 million to ₦1.15 million.
A doctor at this stage has generally progressed considerably beyond the entry and residency levels.
However, the amount paid into the doctor’s account can still differ from the published basic salary because of allowances and statutory deductions.
CONMESS 7 Salary 2026
CONMESS 7 is presented in current online guides as the highest level within the seven-grade CONMESS framework commonly used in salary explanations.
The 2026 estimates reviewed for this article put basic monthly pay at approximately ₦1.15 million to ₦1.23 million or more, depending on the step and applicable arrangement.
Some websites use different titles for the positions associated with this level. This is another reason readers should be careful when comparing salary tables.
The official NSIWC archive is the better reference point when an exact government salary figure is required.
What Is the Difference Between Basic Salary and Gross Salary?
This is one of the most important things to understand when searching for CONMESS salary in Nigeria.
Basic salary
Basic salary is the core salary attached to the grade and step.
It does not necessarily represent the total amount an employee receives.
Gross salary
Gross salary may include the basic salary plus eligible allowances and other approved components before deductions.
Net or take-home salary
This is the amount that remains after applicable deductions.
Depending on the employee’s circumstances, deductions can include items such as:
- Pension contributions
- Pay-As-You-Earn tax
- Other authorised deductions
Therefore:
Basic salary ≠ Gross salary ≠ Take-home salary
This simple distinction explains why different websites may report different CONMESS salary figures for the same grade.
How Do CONMESS Steps Work?
A CONMESS grade is not always a single salary amount.
Within a grade, there are steps. A step represents progression within that particular grade.
For example, a doctor may start at one step and later move to a higher step after satisfying the relevant conditions for annual progression.
The difference between a step increase and a promotion is important.
An annual increment generally moves an employee to another step within the same grade.
A promotion moves the employee into a higher grade.
In simple terms:
Step progression = movement within a grade
Promotion = movement to another grade
The exact rules governing progression should be confirmed from the employee’s conditions of service and the relevant government circular.
Are Allowances Included in CONMESS Salary?
Allowances can form an important part of a doctor’s overall earnings.
Depending on the applicable arrangement, a doctor may receive allowances associated with areas such as:
- Call duty
- Hazardous work
- Housing
- Transport
- Rural posting
- Specialist duties
- Other approved responsibilities
However, not every doctor receives every allowance at the same rate.
A 2026 salary table, for example, separately lists housing, transport, hazard, call-duty and rural-posting components for some grades.
This is why it is risky to publish one fixed figure as the “take-home salary” for every doctor on a particular CONMESS grade.
Does CONMESS Apply to Private Hospitals?
CONMESS is primarily a public-sector salary framework.
Private hospitals generally have their own salary arrangements.
A private hospital may consider factors such as:
- Qualification
- Years of experience
- Specialty
- Location
- Hospital size
- Workload
- Night or weekend duties
- Negotiated employment terms
As a result, a private-sector doctor’s salary cannot be accurately determined simply by looking at their CONMESS grade.
If you are applying for a private hospital position, the employer’s offer letter is more relevant than a CONMESS calculator.
CONMESS vs CONHESS: What Is the Difference?
The names are similar, so it is easy to confuse them.
CONMESS refers to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
CONHESS refers to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
The two structures should not be treated as interchangeable.
The NSIWC maintains separate materials for CONMESS and CONHESS in its salary-structure archive.
This means a person searching for a nurse’s salary should not automatically use a CONMESS salary table, just as a medical doctor should not assume a CONHESS table applies to them.
Has CONMESS Been Reviewed?
Yes. CONMESS has undergone different government salary adjustments over time.
The NSIWC’s official website lists a September 30, 2024 circular titled “Implementation of the New National Minimum Wage in the Federal Public Service: The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).”
The Commission’s archive also lists CONMESS among the salary structures affected by implementation of the new national minimum wage framework.
This is significant for anyone researching CONMESS salary structure 2026, because older salary tables may no longer reflect the applicable federal public-service arrangements.
At the same time, the existence of a 2024 implementation circular does not automatically mean that every salary table published online in 2026 is official.
For accurate payroll information, the relevant government circular, employer payroll department and appointment terms should take priority.
How Much Does a Doctor Earn Per Month in Nigeria in 2026?
There is no single monthly salary for all doctors in Nigeria.
For doctors working under CONMESS, current 2026 published estimates place basic monthly earnings roughly within the ranges shown earlier in this article, from the House Officer level through senior consultant and leadership grades.
However, actual monthly earnings can vary because of:
- Grade level
- Step
- Position
- Allowances
- Employer
- Location or posting
- Deductions
- Current government circulars
Therefore, anyone asking “How much does a doctor earn in Nigeria?” should first specify whether they mean basic salary, gross salary or take-home pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About CONMESS Salary 2026
What does CONMESS mean?
CONMESS means Consolidated Medical Salary Structure. It is a salary framework used for medical and dental officers in the Nigerian public service.
How much does a House Officer earn under CONMESS in 2026?
Published 2026 estimates vary. One current guide places basic monthly pay for CONMESS 1 at about ₦263,000 to ₦338,000, depending on the step.
How much is CONMESS 2 salary in 2026?
A current salary guide estimates CONMESS 2 basic monthly pay at approximately ₦380,000 to ₦460,000, depending on the step.
What is the highest CONMESS level?
The commonly published CONMESS framework contains seven levels, with CONMESS 7 at the upper end of the structure.
Does CONMESS salary include allowances?
Not necessarily when a website quotes “basic salary.” Allowances are separate components and may increase gross earnings depending on eligibility and the applicable rules.
Is CONMESS the same as CONHESS?
No. CONMESS and CONHESS are separate salary structures. The NSIWC maintains separate official documents for them.
Can a doctor’s take-home salary be calculated from the CONMESS grade alone?
Not reliably. You would also need to know the doctor’s step, eligible allowances and applicable deductions.
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