Starting a career in teaching and wondering just how much you’ll be paid at the beggining of your career? Wwe have outlined a detailed guide representing all level of the teaching profession and the starting salaries for new teachers. Just to point out that the scale shown does not include teachers promoted from different roles, this is for completely new teacher hires.
The pay and allowances of teachers in Kenya are defined by the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and are organized according to teaching levels and grades. Here is a detailed breakdown of salaries as well as other perks for new teachers who begin their profession at different teaching grades.
New Teachers’ Starting Salary
| Teaching Level | Grade | Monthly Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School Teachers | B5 | 21,756 – 27,195 |
| C1 | 27,195 – 33,994 | |
| Secondary School Teachers | C2 | 34,955 – 43,694 |
| C3 | 43,154 – 53,940 | |
| Higher Positions | D5 | 131,380 – 157,656 |
| D4 | 118,242 – 141,891 | |
| Other Grade Ranges | C4 | 52,308 – 65,385 |
| C5 | 62,272 – 77,840 | |
| D1 | 77,840 – 93,408 | |
| D2 | 91,041 – 109,249 | |
| D3 | 104,644 – 125,573 |
Allowances
Do we all just love to hear the word allowance? Kenyan teachers also receive a couple of allowances, most of them depending on their regions of work. For example, teachers in Northeastern part of Kenya where there’s drought and instances of insecurity get hardship allowances on top of their basic pay. These allowances are based on where the teacher is stationed, which job group they belong to, their duties and responsibilities, as well as the type of students being taught by them.
Some usual allowances include:
- Housing Allowance: Provided to help teachers cover accommodation costs.
- Leave Allowance: Given annually to cover expenses during leave.
- Commuter Allowance: For transportation expenses to and from the workplace.
- Hardship Allowance: Provided to teachers working in areas classified as hardship zones.
- Responsibility Allowance: For teachers with additional responsibilities such as heads of departments.
The total of these salaries combined with allowances is what translates to the total pay for all teachers, considering their qualifications, experience, and the demands of their roles. This system helps keep motivation high for teachers in Kenya while also rewarding their professional growth.