In accordance with the recently signed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has published revised pay and benefit plans for Kenyan educators.
In cooperation with representatives from 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), an agreement worth Ksh33.75 billion over four years was struck.
The first phase of the new CBA, which is expected to cost Ksh8.4 billion in salary and benefits, will go into effect on July 1, 2025. The employer’s contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and other statutory deductions will account for more than Ksh1.2 billion of the total.
In response to long-standing concerns raised by teachers and their unions, and following extensive negotiations, TSC has awarded a salary increment of up to 29.5% across various job groups.
“The salary review is designed to bridge the wage gap between the highest- and lowest-paid teachers in the public education sector, a move welcomed by the unions as a significant step toward fairness and equity,” noted TSC.
Salaries for Kenyan Teachers by Job Groups
For Primary Teacher II (Grade B5), salaries will range from Ksh 28,600 to Ksh 37,100, reflecting an increase of between Ksh 4,770 and Ksh 7,313.
Teachers in Grade C1 (Primary Teacher I & Secondary Teacher III) will earn between Ksh 35,300 and Ksh 47,300, with salary increases ranging from Ksh 5,549 to Ksh 10,027.
Mid-level teachers such as Senior Teacher II & Secondary Teacher II (Grade C2) will receive between Ksh 41,400 and Ksh 57,200, up from previous rates by Ksh 3,154 to Ksh 9,372.
Those in Grade C3 (Senior Teacher I & Secondary Teacher I) will earn salaries between Ksh 49,800 and Ksh 66,200, with increases of Ksh 4,110 to Ksh 7,149.
Leadership roles including Deputy Headteacher II & Senior Master IV (Grade C4) will have pay scales from Ksh 58,600 to Ksh 77,100, up by Ksh 6,277 to Ksh 8,263, while headteachers & Deputy Headteacher I (Grade C5) will see salaries ranging from Ksh 69,700 to Ksh 96,100, reflecting increases of Ksh 7,473 to Ksh 16,479.
Senior leadership positions like Senior Headteachers & Deputy Principals III (Grade D1) will earn between Ksh 81,000 and Ksh 99,300, with modest increases of Ksh 2,359 to Ksh 2,891.
Deputy Principals II & Senior Master I (Grade D2) will receive salaries ranging from Ksh 95,300 to Ksh 116,000, increased by Ksh 2,775 to Ksh 3,379.
Principals and Deputy Principals I (Grade D3) 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) will have salaries from Ksh 121,800 to Ksh 150,700, with increases between Ksh 3,547 and Ksh 4,389.
At the top of the scale, Chief Principals (Grade D5) will earn between Ksh 135,300 and Ksh 167,400, with pay raises of Ksh 3,941 to Ksh 4,876.
Teachers Salary Structure Under 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
Commuter Allowances
Under the 2025–2029 CBA, Kenyan teachers will receive monthly commuter allowances based on their job grade.
The allowances range from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 16,000 per month, designed to help cover transportation costs.
Entry-level teachers at Grade B5 and C1 will receive a commuter allowance of Ksh 4,000 per month.
Teachers in Grades C2 and C3 will get Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 6,000, respectively.
Those in leadership roles such as Deputy Headteacher II (Grade C4) and Headteacher (Grade C5) will earn Ksh 8,000 monthly.
Senior leadership at Grades D1 and D2 will receive Ksh 12,000.
Principals and senior principals (Grades D3 and D4) are allotted Ksh 14,000 per month.
Chief Principals at Grade D5 will receive the highest commuter allowance of Ksh 16,000 monthly.
Teachers across Kenya are entitled to a range of allowances aimed at supporting their welfare and working conditions.
These include a baggage allowance for transfers, a hardship allowance for those stationed in challenging environments, a disability guide allowance for teachers living with disabilities, and an annual leave allowance paid every January.
Leave and Other Allowances for Teachers
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
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) provides house allowances to teachers based on their job group and geographical location of duty station.
The rates vary depending on whether a teacher is stationed in Nairobi, major municipalities, former minor municipalities, or other areas across the country.
TSC House Allowance Rates by Grade and Location
Grade Nairobi (Hse1) Major Municipalities (Hse2) – Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Kitale 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