Kenyan Teacher Pay: New Salary & Allowance Guide

Kenyan Teachers to Benefit from Landmark Salary Increases and Enhanced Allowances

Kenyan educators are poised to receive significant financial boosts through a newly ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the years 2025-2029. The agreement, a culmination of extensive negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and various teachers’ unions, promises substantial salary increments and improved allowance structures, marking a significant milestone in recognizing the vital role teachers play in the nation’s development.

The Ksh33.75 billion agreement, forged in collaboration with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), aims to address long-standing concerns regarding teacher compensation and welfare. The first phase of the CBA is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an estimated initial investment of Ksh8.4 billion dedicated to salaries and allowances. This figure includes over Ksh1.2 billion earmarked for employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and other mandatory deductions.

Salary Adjustments Across Job Groups

One of the most significant aspects of the new CBA is the implementation of salary increases across various job groups, with some teachers seeing raises of up to 29.5%. This salary review is strategically designed to narrow the wage gap between teachers at different levels of the public education system, promoting greater fairness and equity within the profession.

Here’s a breakdown of the new salary ranges for different job groups:

• Primary Teacher II (Grade B5): Salaries will now range from Ksh 28,600 to Ksh 37,100, an increase of between Ksh 4,770 and Ksh 7,313.
• Primary Teacher I & Secondary Teacher III (Grade C1): Teachers in this grade will earn between Ksh 35,300 and Ksh 47,300, with increases ranging from Ksh 5,549 to Ksh 10,027.
• Senior Teacher II & Secondary Teacher II (Grade C2): Mid-level teachers can expect to receive between Ksh 41,400 and Ksh 57,200, representing an increase of Ksh 3,154 to Ksh 9,372.
• Senior Teacher I & Secondary Teacher I (Grade C3): Salaries for this grade will range from Ksh 49,800 to Ksh 66,200, with increases of Ksh 4,110 to Ksh 7,149.
• Deputy Headteacher II & Senior Master IV (Grade C4): Leadership roles in this category will have pay scales from Ksh 58,600 to Ksh 77,100, up by Ksh 6,277 to Ksh 8,263.
• Headteachers & Deputy Headteacher I (Grade C5): Individuals in these roles will see salaries ranging from Ksh 69,700 to Ksh 96,100, reflecting increases of Ksh 7,473 to Ksh 16,479.
• Senior Headteachers & Deputy Principals III (Grade D1): Senior leadership positions will earn between Ksh 81,000 and Ksh 99,300, with increases of Ksh 2,359 to Ksh 2,891.
• Deputy Principals II & Senior Master I (Grade D2): Salaries for this grade will range from Ksh 95,300 to Ksh 116,000, increased by Ksh 2,775 to Ksh 3,379.
• Principals and Deputy Principals I (Grade D3): Educators in these positions will earn between Ksh 109,200 and Ksh 133,300, seeing pay hikes of Ksh 3,181 to Ksh 3,884.
• Senior Principals (Grade D4): Salaries for senior principals will range from Ksh 121,800 to Ksh 150,700, with increases between Ksh 3,547 and Ksh 4,389.
• Chief Principals (Grade D5): At the top of the scale, chief principals will earn between Ksh 135,300 and Ksh 167,400, with pay raises of Ksh 3,941 to Ksh 4,876.

Comprehensive Overview of Salary Structure Under the 2025–2029 CBA

| Grade | Job Title | TSC Scale | Latest Salary Range (Ksh) | Min. Increase | Max. Increase |
| :—- | :———————————— | :——– | :————————- | :———— | :———— |
| B5 | Primary Teacher II | 5 | 28,620 – 37,100 | +4,790 | +7,313 |
| C1 | Primary Teacher I, Sec. Teacher III | 6 | 35,336 – 47,261 | +5,549 | +10,027 |
| C2 | Senior Teacher II, Sec. Teacher II | 7 | 41,420 – 57,230 | +3,154 | +9,372 |
| C3 | Senior Teacher I, Sec. Teacher I | 8 | 49,781 – 66,233 | +4,110 | +7,149 |
| C4 | Deputy Headteacher II, Senior Master IV | 9 | 58,585 – 77,120 | +6,277 | +8,263 |
| C5 | Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher I | 10 | 69,745 – 96,132 | +7,473 | +8,012 |
| D1 | Senior Headteacher, Dep. Principal III | 11 | 80,984 – 99,272 | +2,359 | +2,891 |
| D2 | Deputy Principal II, Senior Master I | 12 | 95,271 – 116,012 | +2,775 | +3,379 |
| D3 | Principal, Deputy Principal I | 13 | 109,224 – 133,347 | +3,161 | +3,884 |
| D4 | Senior Principal | 14 | 121,789 – 150,675 | +3,547 | +4,209 |
| D5 | Chief Principal | 15 | 135,321 – 167,415 | +3,941 | +4,876 |

Enhanced Commuter Allowances

In addition to salary increases, the 2025–2029 CBA introduces improved commuter allowances for teachers, designed to help offset transportation costs. These monthly allowances range from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 16,000, depending on the teacher’s job grade.

• Grades B5 and C1: Ksh 4,000 per month
• Grades C2: Ksh 5,000 per month
• Grades C3: Ksh 6,000 per month
• Grades C4 and C5: Ksh 8,000 per month
• Grades D1 and D2: Ksh 12,000 per month
• Grades D3 and D4: Ksh 14,000 per month
• Grade D5: Ksh 16,000 per month

Other Allowances and Benefits

Kenyan teachers are also entitled to a variety of other allowances aimed at supporting their well-being and working conditions. These include:

• Baggage Allowance: Provided to teachers upon transfer, calculated per kilometer.
• Hardship Allowance: For teachers stationed in challenging environments.
• Disability Guide Allowance: For teachers living with disabilities.
• Annual Leave Allowance: Paid every January.

The specific rates for baggage, hardship, disability guide, and leave allowances are detailed in the table below:

| SN | Grade | Baggage Allowance (Ksh/km) | Hardship Allowance (Ksh) | Disability Guide Allowance (Ksh/month) | Leave Allowance (Ksh/year) |
| :- | :—- | :————————— | :———————– | :————————————— | :————————– |
| 1 | B5 | 43 | 6,600 | 20,000 | 4,000 |
| 2 | C1 | 43 | 8,200 | 20,000 | 4,000 |
| 3 | C2 | 55 | 10,900 | 20,000 | 6,000 |
| 4 | C3 | 55 | 12,300 | 20,000 | 6,000 |
| 5 | C4 | 55 | 14,650 | 20,000 | 6,000 |
| 6 | C5 | 55 | 17,100 | 20,000 | 6,000 |
| 7 | D1 | 68 | 27,300 | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| 8 | D2 | 68 | 27,300 | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| 9 | D3 | 68 | 31,500 | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| 10 | D4 | 68 | 31,500 | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| 11 | D5 | 80 | 38,100 | 20,000 | 10,000 |

House Allowances Based on Location

The TSC also provides house allowances to teachers, with rates varying based on job group and location. The rates are categorized by:

• Nairobi
• Major Municipalities (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Kitale)
• Minor Municipalities
• Other Areas

The specific house allowance rates for each grade and location are outlined below:

| Grade | Nairobi (Hse1) | Major Municipalities (Hse2) | Minor Municipalities (Hse3) | Other Areas (Hse4) |
| :—- | :————- | :————————– | :————————– | :—————– |
| B5 | 6,750 | 4,500 | 3,850 | 3,200 |
| C1 | 10,000 | 7,500 | 5,800 | 4,200 |
| C2 | 16,500 | 12,800 | 9,600 | 7,500 |
| C3 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 13,000 |
| C4 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 13,000 |
| C5 | 35,000 | 25,500 | 18,000 | 15,400 |
| D1 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D2 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D3 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D4 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D5 | 50,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 | 20,000 |

This comprehensive CBA represents a significant investment in the teaching profession and is expected to have a positive impact on the morale and financial well-being of educators across Kenya. The improved salaries and allowances will not only attract and retain qualified teachers but also contribute to a higher quality of education for Kenyan students.