Salary guide · Kenya
Teacher salary in Kenya: verified TSC grade examples
TSC teacher pay examples for B5 and D5 reported in July 2026, with the source date and a guide to basic salary, allowances and payslip checks.
Teacher pay depends on the TSC grade, salary point and applicable allowances. The government report linked below confirms two grade ranges in the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA. Use these as dated grade examples when checking an offer or payslip; they do not establish every teacher’s take-home pay.
| Grade and role | Monthly range (KSh) | Source period |
|---|---|---|
| B5 — Primary Teacher II | 26,225–33,444 | July 2026 CBA phase two |
| D5 — Chief Principal | 133,351–164,977 | July 2026 CBA phase two |
These are salary-scale ranges reported by the government, before establishing an individual’s allowances and deductions. Intermediate grades and individual salary points are not verified in this table. A future CBA phase must not be presented as a current rate.
Match the grade before comparing a salary
Find the grade on your appointment, promotion or payroll record. A classroom teaching role, a headteacher post and a principal post can have different grades. The top of a published range is not a promise of the starting salary for a new appointment. Ask which salary point applies and from what date.
Private-school pay is set by the relevant employer’s terms. A TSC range should not be described as an average salary for all Kenyan teachers. Internship stipends also need their own programme notice; do not substitute a permanent teacher’s scale.
Separate basic pay, allowances and the amount received
Read the payslip line by line. Basic salary is the underlying rate. Gross pay includes the applicable paid allowances. Net pay is the amount remaining after statutory and other authorised deductions. A bank deposit alone does not tell you the grade or basic salary.
When a review or promotion takes effect during a payroll cycle, distinguish the recurring monthly amount from any separately identified arrears. Ask payroll to explain an unfamiliar adjustment before treating it as a permanent increase.
A practical check for a revised payslip
Compare the old and new payslips alongside the appointment or promotion letter. Record the grade, salary point, effective month, recurring allowances and any arrears. If the amounts do not reconcile, request the applicable TSC circular and a written payroll explanation.
For grades C1–D4, obtain the conversion table for the relevant CBA phase from TSC. Work.ke has not filled the missing rows with figures copied from unverified online tables. The source below confirms the July 2026 phase and the two ranges shown here.
Sources
Checked 15 September 2026. Each figure retains the period and scope of its source.
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