Interesting

I'd be grateful if someone could list pay range per years of experience.

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pixey:
Nigerian or no Nigerian,you should see yourself as an equal or even better than foreigners.Stop justifying such discrimination because Nigeria is a dead country. We have geniuses that are ten times better than them. Stop this mindset please.

Without adequate exposure plus the suppressing nature of Nigeria, Nigerian devs would think they're not giod enough. I can say I've collaborated with devs in all the continents and one thing is certain, WHAT YOU KNOW IS WHAT YOU KNOW. Javascript in Nigeria is the same in Puerto Rico or Holland. Why should anyone look down on you just because you're from Nigeria. Again, the painful part is that most Nigerians deliberately choose to be trodden upon. At least that's what I could gather from the recruiter.

JFOD:
Interesting

I'd be grateful if someone could list pay range per years of experience.

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Do the job yourself
Visit payscale.com/rcsearch.aspx?category

Lindner:


Without adequate exposure plus the suppressing nature of Nigeria, Nigerian devs would think they're not giod enough. I can say I've collaborated with devs in all the continents and one thing is certain, WHAT YOU KNOW IS WHAT YOU KNOW. Javascript in Nigeria is the same in Puerto Rico or Holland. Why should anyone look down on you just because you're from Nigeria. Again, the painful part is that most Nigerians deliberately choose to be trodden upon. At least that's what I could gather from the recruiter.

My brother you have said it all.All prospective devs and experienced devs should take this serious.We shouldn't allow them to use us as low cost commodities. I blame Nigerian HR companies( I never liked them really!) for this rubbish.

Does this work or apply to only Software developmen or other areas of Tech like Product Design? I mean being underpaid and exploiting of Nigerians.

Emeraldfynest:
Does this work or apply to only Software developmen or other areas of Tech like Product Design? I mean being underpaid and exploiting of Nigerians.

It's across board. Nigerian IT folks are so desperate to earn some money, they accept peanuts when they could be earning at least 5x more.

Good thing you asked about other roles outside development. Most of these developers come a dime a dozen with new entrants flooding the space. Product design is an interesting space to play in especially as a Nigerian techie as not many Naija techs have gotten in there yet regarding foreign remote jobs. I work in a somewhat of a niche market and have hardly found any other Nigerian in my niche. I'm not saying there aren't any (at least I network with a few of them locally). But those in the niche sort of believe that there aren't remote openings. I'm currently in talks with a major player in the field (based in Cyprus, Republic of Cyprus not the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus where most Nigerian students now flock to). They are willing to cover relocation to Nicosia (capital of Cyprus) but I'm still weighing my options. TBH, I'd rather live in Nigeria earning foreign pay.

Lindner:


I receive at least one email per week with the same question. I hope to create a thread soon where I'll share my own journey and practical tips to transition from a learner to landing the first remote job. I can't address it here cos it'll be too long. The problem is alot of people are learning which is good but they're doing so in a way that makes them unattractive to employers especially foreign companies.

Not to brag but I got my first remote role just 4 months after I started learning. I ascribe that to favour and the fact that I had a clear path to follow which others too have followed and achieved the same result. There is no secret here whatsoever, everything is available in public space for free. Of course, individual realities will differ.

It would be nice if you create a thread on it...so upcoming Devs can learn

kennethfranc:

Do the job yourself
Visit payscale.com/rcsearch.aspx?category

Hmm , that sounds aggressive (I'm not sure of your intention but I think you mean well though, because you attached a link).

I'm actually aware of Glassdoor (what you first referenced) and payscale.

OP said someone who knows his/her onions should shoot for 4k.

According to pay scale, a junior back end developer annual salary starts from 60+ (around 5k per month).

Can you see the difference?

Another thing is, I don't think a person with 2-3 active exp can be categorised as a junior (so if I'm to go with that, its going to be higher than that).

Almost twice of what OP quoted if not more than

Wow, this is nice. I think everyone should just know their worth and master the art of negotiation, cos I don't see it stopping anytime soon.

Yes I just started my Product Design journey majorly because I don't want to code. I started with the Google UX Certificate, and will continue learning further.

Why don't you want to relocate though, maybe not everyone fancies living outside the country.

airsaylongcome:


It's across board. Nigerian IT folks are so desperate to earn some money, they accept peanuts when they could be earning at least 5x more.

Good thing you asked about other roles outside development. Most of these developers come a dime a dozen with new entrants flooding the space. Product design is an interesting space to play in especially as a Nigerian techie as not many Naija techs have gotten in there yet regarding foreign remote jobs. I work in a somewhat of a niche market and have hardly found any other Nigerian in my niche. I'm not saying there aren't any (at least I network with a few of them locally). But those in the niche sort of believe that there aren't remote openings. I'm currently in talks with a major player in the field (based in Cyprus, Republic of Cyprus not the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus where most Nigerian students now flock to). They are willing to cover relocation to Nicosia (capital of Cyprus) but I'm still weighing my options. TBH, I'd rather live in Nigeria earning foreign pay.

JFOD:


Hmm , that sounds aggressive (I'm not sure of your intention but I think you mean well though, because you attached a link).

I'm actually aware of Glassdoor (what you first referenced) and payscale.

OP said someone who knows his/her onions should shoot for 4k.

According to pay scale, a junior back end developer annual salary starts from 60+ (around 5k per month).

Can you see the difference?

Another thing is, I don't think a person with 2-3 active exp can be categorised as a junior (so if I'm to go with that, its going to be higher than that).

Almost twice of what OP quoted if not more than

There can be discrepancies in figures quoted by job boards based on a lot of factors including the location of the company and whether it's a start up or not and of course, years of experience. For example, the figure below is what ziprecruiter is quoting for my niche $74/hr but that figure is ambiguous.

While I have some software development experience, I have little blockchain experience (as with a lot of people out there) and I get paid $50/hr which is even below the lower band of ziprecruiters figure. So the 4k I quoted in the post is just a rough estimate of what an experienced dev should be expecting plus or minus some margins.

Emeraldfynest:
Wow, this is nice. I think everyone should just know their worth and master the art of negotiation, cos I don't see it stopping anytime soon.

Yes I just started my Product Design journey majorly because I don't want to code. I started with the Google UX Certificate, and will continue learning further.

Why don't you want to relocate though, maybe not everyone fancies living outside the country.

It's way "cheaper" living in Nigeria earning foreign pay. Plus I'm not keen about Cyprus

Okay, I get.

airsaylongcome:


It's way "cheaper" to living in Nigeria earning foreign pay. Plus I'm not keen about Cyprus

JFOD:


Hmm , that sounds aggressive (I'm not sure of your intention but I think you mean well though, because you attached a link).

I'm actually aware of Glassdoor (what you first referenced) and payscale.

OP said someone who knows his/her onions should shoot for 4k.

According to pay scale, a junior back end developer annual salary starts from 60+ (around 5k per month).

Can you see the difference?

Another thing is, I don't think a person with 2-3 active exp can be categorised as a junior (so if I'm to go with that, its going to be higher than that).

Almost twice of what OP quoted if not more than

@bolded1... they are ready to pay more if you can prove your worth. But don't go below $2500

Low self esteem is a bad thing. If you are sure of your skills you won't accept peanuts.

I once had a conversation with a mobile app developer with 2+ years experience working for a software agency in Nigeria non remote job mon-fri and he’ll be coding lots of app per month for a pay of about 120k while the oga will be collecting the contract of $3000-$4000 per app. The dude had no idea how remote jobs work and how much his mates are earning in dollars, two days after our conversation he resigned straight up.

lordally:


It would be nice if you create a thread on it...so upcoming Devs can learn

Patiently waiting for the thread

Bayoibee:
I once had a conversation with a mobile app developer with 2+ years experience working for a software agency in Nigeria non remote job mon-fri and he’ll be coding lots of app per month for a pay of about 120k while the oga will be collecting the contract of $3000-$4000 per app. The dude had no idea how remote jobs work and how much his mates are earning in dollars, two days after our conversation he resigned straight up.

You're a good man ...God bless you for opening his eyes!!!! See we have so many software developers who just learnt how to code and are good at it but they refused to get other Necessary skills to go with it like NETWORKING!!!! see , I just helped a software developer with less than 1yr experience who has applied for lots of jobs on LinkedIn, get a job even though I'm still yet to be a software developer... The little network I have can give me a job but I don't have the skill yet....of which I'm currently studying JavaScript....

Software developers should know that coding alone isn't all you need... You need other skills like NETWORKING , the Act of salary Negotiations etc.

airsaylongcome:


It's across board. Nigerian IT folks are so desperate to earn some money, they accept peanuts when they could be earning at least 5x more.

Good thing you asked about other roles outside development. Most of these developers come a dime a dozen with new entrants flooding the space. Product design is an interesting space to play in especially as a Nigerian techie as not many Naija techs have gotten in there yet regarding foreign remote jobs. I work in a somewhat of a niche market and have hardly found any other Nigerian in my niche. I'm not saying there aren't any (at least I network with a few of them locally). But those in the niche sort of believe that there aren't remote openings. I'm currently in talks with a major player in the field (based in Cyprus, Republic of Cyprus not the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus where most Nigerian students now flock to). They are willing to cover relocation to Nicosia (capital of Cyprus) but I'm still weighing my options. TBH, I'd rather live in Nigeria earning foreign pay.

I'm sure you don't fancy Cyprus... Omo if na USA Baba I swear you for don Jakpa!!

lordally:


I'm sure you don't fancy Cyprus... Omo if na USA Baba I swear you for don Jakpa!!

Lol... I'm not too keen on the US either! TBVH, I'd rather earn US salaries living in Nigeria o. Visit the US on holidays and shop. But I'd rather live in Nigeria. And Cyprus isn't that bad either. Lived there for 4 years. Just no longer keen about it

lordally:


You're a good man ...God bless you for opening his eyes!!!! See we have so many software developers who just learnt how to code and are good at it but they refused to get other Necessary skills to go with it like NETWORKING!!!! see , I just helped a software developer with less than 1yr experience who has applied for lots of jobs on LinkedIn, get a job even though I'm still yet to be a software developer... The little network I have can give me a job but I don't have the skill yet....of which I'm currently studying JavaScript....

Software developers should know that coding alone isn't all you need... You need other skills like NETWORKING , the Act of salary Negotiations etc.

This is one of the reasons why I mentioned a lot of devs are unattractive

lordally:


You're a good man ...God bless you for opening his eyes!!!! See we have so many software developers who just learnt how to code and are good at it but they refused to get other Necessary skills to go with it like NETWORKING!!!! see , I just helped a software developer with less than 1yr experience who has applied for lots of jobs on LinkedIn, get a job even though I'm still yet to be a software developer... The little network I have can give me a job but I don't have the skill yet....of which I'm currently studying JavaScript....

Software developers should know that coding alone isn't all you need... You need other skills like NETWORKING , the Act of salary Negotiations etc.

I just had to let him know because I’m a UI/UX Designer but I’m not working for the agency only contracts here and there and most times I see the documentation of the clients entire budget and how this greedy oga and one other guy will share 80% of the money and give the remaining to the unexposed developers, after my conversations, all the developers left him and he was dumbfounded.

Lindner:


This is one of the reasons why I mentioned a lot of devs are unattractive

I swear!!! This girl I got a job for knew how to code and that's all... She didn't know how to technically apply for jobs.... Omo that's why according to @Tensazangetsu20 he always say "Applying and getting a job , is a job on its own"

Bayoibee:


I just had to let him know because I’m a UI/UX Designer but I’m not working for the agency only contracts here and there and most times I see the documentation of the clients entire budget and how this greedy oga and one other guy will share 80% of the money and give the remaining to the unexposed developers, after my conversations, all the developers left him and he was dumbfounded.

It's a job well done!!

airsaylongcome:


Lol... I'm not too keen on the US either! TBVH, I'd rather earn US salaries living in Nigeria o. Visit the US on holidays and shop. But I'd rather live in Nigeria. And Cyprus isn't that bad either. Lived there for 4 years. Just no longer keen about it

Oh okay you've had the intl living experience before that's why.... Omo last year b4 the protests, SARS carried me even dou they had nothing on me, I still had to give them money if not these people go just wish me away and nobody go know my whereabouts... So for me in the long run, I'll leave this country

Lindner:
I've engaged with some developers on nairaland about this topic and out of frustration, I just surrendered.

Since the pandemic and the popularization of remote work, it's no longer news that western tech companies now look to source talents from Africa and Some parts of Asia. The rationale is to cut cost.

A recruiter that recruits for some of these tech companies recently told me that they no longer disclose potential salary budget to candidates from Africa, especially Nigeria.

She mentioned that they are always shocked at the salary expectations of candidates. She went further to state that 9 out of 10 candidates from Africa request for between 20% to 80% below the budget of the companies( Even though the company is already saving a lot by recruiting from Africa). And the fact that she mentioned Nigeria specifically got me a little angry.

Why tf will you guys be asking for $500/month for a software development role no matter whether its entry level or not? What values do you place on yourself? Just because you live in Nigeria? A cleaner does not even get paid $500/month in those companies. Do you feel good knowing the colleague you'll be working with is earning ×5 of what you're being paid and you're probably even adding more value. Don't you get angry?

The painful part is that some of these companies didnt even offer to pay you these miserable salaries, you requested it yourself.

Sometime ago, on another thread here on NL, on the same topic of remote job compensation, some folks came to the thread with alot of justification why $500/month is a good offer. They cited exchange rate, poverty rate in Nigeria, how there's no job and every other pathetic reasons why they should slave away to a western company. I can't even begin to reason the ones that are hawking their "skills" here on NL offering to build a full fledged e-commerce site with integrated payment solutions for 10k naira.

I don't care what you say, if you know your shit and have good self esteem, you can earn as much as $4k/month. Before you come here and start reciting all the impossibilites in your books, know that I'm writing from a position of knowledge. I have statistics and real life examples to substantiate this figure. I myself have been working remotely even before the pandemic.


I wouldn't have bothered to even write, but this development is now coming back to bite some of us just because we answer the name Nigerian.

Thanks for this interesting piece. I don't subscribe to under-pay. The truth is you can't be paid as a dev in the US. One of the beauty of remote work is to cut cuts and Nigeria, India and many Eastern European countries fall under this category.

Many companies I know have a range depending on your skill set because if you are under-payed, you'll leave and so they want to pay you a commensurate amount to keep you in the team. It costs a lot to find and hire an employee.

You also have to note that there's no shortage of devs but good devs, many top companies receive over 100k applications each year and they have to sort through all of that to pick the right candidates. Right now there are thousands of open positions but why are they not getting filled? Finding the right guy for the job and sometimes the right guy can turn down the offer. You may have heard of some devs in Eastern Europe turning down over 300k offers with several pecks.

My point is if you are a right fit for the job you will be paid the appropriate sum but if you think is easy getting 150k jobs just because an average dev in US receive such good luck.

airsaylongcome:


Lol... I'm not too keen on the US either! TBVH, I'd rather earn US salaries living in Nigeria o. Visit the US on holidays and shop. But I'd rather live in Nigeria. And Cyprus isn't that bad either. Lived there for 4 years. Just no longer keen about it

You're a smart guy.

Studymore123:


Thanks for this interesting piece. I don't subscribe to under-pay. The truth is you can't be paid as a dev in the US. One of the beauty of remote work is to cut cuts and Nigeria, India and many Eastern European countries fall under this category.

Many companies I know have a range depending on your skill set because if you are under-payed, you'll leave and so they want to pay you a commensurate amount to keep you in the team. It costs a lot to find and hire an employee.

You also have to note that there's no shortage of devs but good devs, many top companies receive over 100k applications each year and they have to sort through all of that to pick the right candidates. Right now there are thousands of open positions but why are they not getting filled? Finding the right guy for the job and sometimes the right guy can turn down the offer. You may have heard of some devs in Eastern Europe turning down over 300k offers with several pecks.

My point is if you are a right fit for the job you will be paid the appropriate sum but [b]if you think is easy getting 150k jobs [/b]just because an average dev in US receive such good luck.

For your last para, some of the companies will simply tell you the price they are willing to pay but most of them turn the other way asking you... And that's where many developers get it wrong by quoting a lesser amount converting to naira even b4 they deal

Lindner:
I've engaged with some developers on nairaland about this topic and out of frustration, I just surrendered.

Since the pandemic and the popularization of remote work, it's no longer news that western tech companies now look to source talents from Africa and Some parts of Asia. The rationale is to cut cost.

A recruiter that recruits for some of these tech companies recently told me that they no longer disclose potential salary budget to candidates from Africa, especially Nigeria.

She mentioned that they are always shocked at the salary expectations of candidates. She went further to state that 9 out of 10 candidates from Africa request for between 20% to 80% below the budget of the companies( Even though the company is already saving a lot by recruiting from Africa). And the fact that she mentioned Nigeria specifically got me a little angry.

Why tf will you guys be asking for $500/month for a software development role no matter whether its entry level or not? What values do you place on yourself? Just because you live in Nigeria? A cleaner does not even get paid $500/month in those companies. Do you feel good knowing the colleague you'll be working with is earning ×5 of what you're being paid and you're probably even adding more value. Don't you get angry?

The painful part is that some of these companies didnt even offer to pay you these miserable salaries, you requested it yourself.

Sometime ago, on another thread here on NL, on the same topic of remote job compensation, some folks came to the thread with alot of justification why $500/month is a good offer. They cited exchange rate, poverty rate in Nigeria, how there's no job and every other pathetic reasons why they should slave away to a western company. I can't even begin to reason the ones that are hawking their "skills" here on NL offering to build a full fledged e-commerce site with integrated payment solutions for 10k naira.

I don't care what you say, if you know your shit and have good self esteem, you can earn as much as $4k/month. Before you come here and start reciting all the impossibilites in your books, know that I'm writing from a position of knowledge. I have statistics and real life examples to substantiate this figure. I myself have been working remotely even before the pandemic.


I wouldn't have bothered to even write, but this development is now coming back to bite some of us just because we answer the name Nigerian.

pathetic

Lindner:


I receive at least one email per week with the same question. I hope to create a thread soon where I'll share my own journey and practical tips to transition from a learner to landing the first remote job. I can't address it here cos it'll be too long. The problem is alot of people are learning which is good but they're doing so in a way that makes them unattractive to employers especially foreign companies.

Not to brag but I got my first remote role just 4 months after I started learning. I ascribe that to favour and the fact that I had a clear path to follow which others too have followed and achieved the same result. There is no secret here whatsoever, everything is available in public space for free. Of course, individual realities will differ.

im also interested

Sososo:
im also interested

Perhaps, this weekend. I'll create time for it. I have now received more emails. I hope it'll be worthwhile and save a lot of aspiring devs valuable time.

Lindner:


Perhaps, this weekend. I'll create time for it. I have now received more emails. I hope it'll be worthwhile and save a lot of aspiring devs valuable time.

Thanks

@Lindner and other more experienced remote workers, can we create a community to provide advice to potential Nairalanders looking for advice on how to navigate the murky waters of IT Remote employment? I'm thinking of a Slack (or Mattermost) group where only invited folks can join. Using Slack/Mattermost (as opposed to having a thread here or creating a WhatsApp or Telegram group) will provide a way of restricting those who can join while allowing prospective remote workers get accustomed with Slack which is a major Collaboration/Communication software for remote work. The community can serve as a means of "giving back" while empowering prospects with info of where to source for remote work, how to go about applying and all other contributions we can give. This is an honest no-ulterior-motives suggestion