For a long time, teachers in Kenya have been among the most underappreciated professionals, struggling with inadequate compensation that fails to reflect their vital role in society. This persistent undervaluation has sparked numerous teacher strikes across the country, with educators consistently advocating for better pay and working conditions. The question on every teacher’s mind remains: have teachers’ salaries actually increased, and by how much? This comprehensive guide addresses these critical questions and provides you with everything you need to know about the current compensation landscape for Kenyan teachers.
In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) serves as the cornerstone institution in the education sector. This critical body is responsible for teachers’ recruitment, registration, deployment, remuneration, and professional advancement. Working in collaboration with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the TSC has undertaken significant revisions to teacher salary structures through collective bargaining agreements. However, the landscape has evolved dramatically beyond the original 2021-2025 agreement, with a groundbreaking new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for 2025-2029 that promises the most substantial salary improvements in recent history.
With Phase 1 of the 2025–2029 CBA in effect from July 2025, Kenyan teachers across all grades are experiencing the most significant salary improvements in years. This guide breaks down exactly what each teacher grade earns under the new structure, the full range of allowances available, and how compensation varies across school types and posting locations.
What Is the New TSC CBA for 2025–2029?
On July 18, 2025, the TSC signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET). This agreement represents far more than incremental adjustments—it constitutes a fundamental reimagining of how Kenya values its educators.
The CBA will be implemented in four (4) phases, with effect from 1st July 2025 to June 30, 2029, demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving teacher welfare over the next four years. The first phase of the new CBA took effect on 1st July 2025, with an estimated cost of KSh 8.4 billion in salaries and allowances, signaling the government’s serious investment in educational excellence through teacher compensation.
This new agreement supersedes the previous 2021-2025 CBA, which had already implemented significant improvements through its two-phase structure. The first phase of the previous agreement began in July 2023, with the second phase running from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
The 4-Phase CBA Implementation Plan
The 2025–2029 CBA is structured across four annual phases, each building on the previous to deliver sustained, cumulative improvements in teacher pay. Understanding this structure helps teachers plan their financial futures with confidence:
- Phase 1: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 — Currently active. Estimated implementation cost: KSh 8.4 billion. Covers all grades from B5 to D5.
- Phase 2: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 — Second round of salary increments takes effect across all job grades.
- Phase 3: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 — Further improvements applied across all grades and allowance categories.
- Phase 4: July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 — Final phase completes the full KSh 33.7 billion investment in teacher compensation.
Each phase introduces upward revisions to both basic salaries and allowances, ensuring that Kenya’s teachers receive meaningful, consistent compensation growth across the entire four-year period.
New TSC Job Titles and T-Scales
Teachers’ Salaries in Kenya are mostly determined by several factors, including their Titles and Job grades, also known as T-Scales. As per TSC, there are up to 11 T-Scales as follows:
| No | Titles | Grade | T-Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Principal | D5 | T-Scale 15 |
| 2 | Senior Principal | D4 | T-Scale 14 |
| 3 | Principal and Deputy Principal I | D3 | T-Scale 13 |
| 4 | Deputy Principal II, Senior Master I, Senior Lecturer I | D2 | T-Scale 12 |
| 5 | Senior Master II, Deputy Principal III, Senior Headteacher, Senior Lecturer II, Curriculum Support Officer I | D1 | T-Scale 11 |
| 6 | Senior Master III, Senior Lecturer III, Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher I, Curriculum Support Officer II | C5 | T-Scale 10 |
| 7 | Senior Lecturer IV, Senior Master IV, SNE Senior Teacher – Primary, SNE Teacher I – Secondary, Deputy Headteacher II | C4 | T-Scale 9 |
| 8 | Secondary Teacher I, Lecturer I, SNE Teacher I – Primary, SNE Teacher II – Secondary, Senior Teacher I | C3 | T-Scale 8 |
| 9 | Secondary Teacher II, SNE Teacher II – Primary, Lecturer II, Senior Teacher II | C2 | T-Scale 7 |
| 10 | Secondary Teacher III, Lecturer III, Primary Teacher I | C1 | T-Scale 6 |
| 11 | Primary Teacher II | B5 | T-Scale 5 |
What Is the New TSC Salary Scale in 2026?
The TSC salary structure operates on the same fundamental principles as other civil service positions in Kenya, but with specific considerations for the unique demands of the education sector. Teacher compensation is primarily determined by job grade or scale, professional experience, and administrative position. This explains why Chief Principals can earn up to KES 162,539 monthly, while teachers beginning their careers in job grade B5 start at KES 23,830.
Below is the TSC salary scale table showing how much TSC teachers in various positions earn under Phase 1 of the 2025–2029 CBA (effective July 1, 2025):
Chief Principals (Grade D5 – T-Scale 15)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 131,380 |
| 2 | 135,436 |
| 3 | 139,617 |
| 4 | 143,927 |
| 5 | 148,370 |
| 6 | 152,951 |
| 7 | 157,672 |
| 8 | 162,539 |
Senior Principals (Grade D4 – T-Scale 14)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 118,242 |
| 2 | 121,893 |
| 3 | 125,656 |
| 4 | 129,535 |
| 5 | 133,534 |
| 6 | 137,656 |
| 7 | 141,906 |
| 8 | 146,286 |
Principals, Deputy Principal I, and Chief Curriculum Support Officers (Grade D3 – T-Scale 13)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 106,043 |
| 2 | 109,630 |
| 3 | 113,337 |
| 4 | 117,170 |
| 5 | 121,132 |
| 6 | 125,229 |
| 7 | 129,463 |
Deputy Principals II, Senior Master I, Senior Lecturer I, and Senior Curriculum Support Officers (Grade D2 – T-Scale 12)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 92,496 |
| 2 | 95,136 |
| 3 | 97,851 |
| 4 | 100,644 |
| 5 | 103,516 |
| 6 | 106,470 |
| 7 | 109,508 |
| 8 | 112,633 |
Senior Master II, Deputy Principal III, Senior Headteacher, Senior Lecturer II, and Curriculum Support Officer I (Grade D1 – T-Scale 11)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 78,625 |
| 2 | 80,946 |
| 3 | 83,335 |
| 4 | 85,795 |
| 5 | 88,327 |
| 6 | 90,934 |
| 7 | 93,618 |
| 8 | 96,381 |
Senior Master III, Senior Lecturer III, Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher I, and Curriculum Support Officer II (Grade C5 – T-Scale 10)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 62,272 |
| 2 | 64,880 |
| 3 | 67,597 |
| 4 | 70,428 |
| 5 | 73,377 |
| 6 | 76,450 |
| 7 | 79,651 |
Senior Master IV, Senior Lecturer IV, and Deputy Headteacher II (Grade C4 – T-Scale 9)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 52,308 |
| 2 | 54,403 |
| 3 | 56,582 |
| 4 | 58,848 |
| 5 | 61,205 |
| 6 | 63,657 |
| 7 | 66,206 |
| 8 | 68,857 |
Secondary Teacher I, Lecturer I, and Senior Teacher I (Grade C3 – T-Scale 8)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 45,671 |
| 2 | 48,085 |
| 3 | 50,626 |
| 4 | 53,302 |
| 5 | 56,119 |
| 6 | 59,084 |
Secondary Teacher II, Lecturer II, and Senior Teacher II (Grade C2 – T-Scale 7)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 38,286 |
| 2 | 40,034 |
| 3 | 41,861 |
| 4 | 43,772 |
| 5 | 45,770 |
| 6 | 47,858 |
Secondary Teacher III, Lecturer III, and Primary Teacher I (Grade C1 – T-Scale 6)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 29,787 |
| 2 | 31,147 |
| 3 | 32,569 |
| 4 | 34,055 |
| 5 | 35,609 |
| 6 | 37,234 |
Primary Teacher II (Grade B5 – T-Scale 5)
| Salary Step | Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 23,830 |
| 2 | 24,918 |
| 3 | 26,055 |
| 4 | 27,244 |
| 5 | 28,487 |
| 6 | 29,787 |
Primary and Secondary Teacher Salary Overview
Understanding how teacher salaries align with school type helps educators and prospective teachers map out their career and income trajectory. Primary school teachers in Kenya start at Grade B5 (Primary Teacher II) and progress through C1 (Primary Teacher I) and beyond, while secondary school teachers typically begin at Grade C1 (Secondary Teacher III) and advance upward. The tables below show the salary range for each teacher category at a glance.
Primary School Teachers
| Job Title | Grade | T-Scale | Monthly Salary Range (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Teacher II | B5 | T-Scale 5 | 23,830 – 29,787 |
| Primary Teacher I | C1 | T-Scale 6 | 29,787 – 37,234 |
| Senior Teacher II | C2 | T-Scale 7 | 38,286 – 47,858 |
| Senior Teacher I | C3 | T-Scale 8 | 45,671 – 59,084 |
| Deputy Headteacher II | C4 | T-Scale 9 | 52,308 – 68,857 |
| Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher I | C5 | T-Scale 10 | 62,272 – 79,651 |
| Senior Headteacher | D1 | T-Scale 11 | 78,625 – 96,381 |
Secondary School Teachers
| Job Title | Grade | T-Scale | Monthly Salary Range (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary Teacher III | C1 | T-Scale 6 | 29,787 – 37,234 |
| Secondary Teacher II | C2 | T-Scale 7 | 38,286 – 47,858 |
| Secondary Teacher I | C3 | T-Scale 8 | 45,671 – 59,084 |
| Senior Master IV / Deputy Headteacher II | C4 | T-Scale 9 | 52,308 – 68,857 |
| Senior Master III / Headteacher | C5 | T-Scale 10 | 62,272 – 79,651 |
| Senior Master II / Deputy Principal III | D1 | T-Scale 11 | 78,625 – 96,381 |
| Deputy Principal II / Senior Master I | D2 | T-Scale 12 | 92,496 – 112,633 |
| Principal / Deputy Principal I | D3 | T-Scale 13 | 106,043 – 129,463 |
| Senior Principal | D4 | T-Scale 14 | 118,242 – 146,286 |
| Chief Principal | D5 | T-Scale 15 | 131,380 – 162,539 |
All figures above represent basic salary only. Allowances — housing, commuter, hardship, and others — are paid in addition to these amounts.
What Are the New TSC Teacher Allowances in 2026?
Teachers’ salaries in Kenya extend far beyond the basic salaries they receive each month. As a matter of fact, all TSC teachers are subject to receiving various allowances, which are aimed at making sure that all their different expenses are catered for.
Teachers in areas with higher living costs receive proportionally higher housing allowances, while those posted to challenging locations receive hardship allowances that acknowledge their additional contributions to educational access.
Below are the various types of allowances that teachers are entitled to.
Housing Allowance Structure
The housing allowance system acknowledges the significant cost variations across various counties. Housing Allowance ranges from Ksh. 3,850 to Ksh. 50,000 per month, with higher allocations for urban postings. TSC housing allowances are based on three clusters, which classify various regions as follows:
- Cluster 1: Nairobi City — Recognizes the capital’s unique living costs and housing market pressures.
- Cluster 2: Major Urban Centers — Includes Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, Kakamega, and Kitale Municipalities, representing significant urban centers with elevated living costs.
- Cluster 3: All Other Areas — Covers rural and smaller urban areas where living costs are generally lower but where teachers provide equally important educational services.
The specific Housing Allowance Rates by Grade and Location are as follows:
| Grade | TSC Scale | Cluster 1 – Nairobi (KSh) | Cluster 2 – Urban (KSh) | Cluster 3 – Other Areas (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 5 | 6,750 | 4,500 | 3,850 |
| C1 | 6 | 10,000 | 7,500 | 5,800 |
| C2 | 7 | 16,500 | 12,800 | 9,600 |
| C3 | 8 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 |
| C4 | 9 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 |
| C5 | 10 | 35,000 | 25,500 | 18,000 |
| D1 | 11 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 |
| D2 | 12 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 |
| D3 | 13 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 |
| D4 | 14 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 |
| D5 | 15 | 50,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 |
Additional Allowances Supporting Teacher Welfare
Beyond housing support, teachers receive several allowances that address specific needs and challenging circumstances inherent in the teaching profession. They are:
| Grade | TSC Scale | Hardship Allowance (KSh) | Commuter Allowance (KSh) | Annual Leave Allowance (KSh) | Disability Guide Allowance (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 5 | 6,600 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 20,000 |
| C1 | 6 | 8,200 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 20,000 |
| C2 | 7 | 10,900 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| C3 | 8 | 12,300 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| C4 | 9 | 14,650 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| C5 | 10 | 17,100 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| D1 | 11 | 27,300 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| D2 | 12 | 27,300 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| D3 | 13 | 31,500 | 14,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| D4 | 14 | 31,500 | 14,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| D5 | 15 | 38,100 | 16,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
TSC Baggage Allowance Rates
Under the TSC 2025 to 2029 CBA, the baggage allowance covers relocation or transfer-related expenses when teachers are moved to new duty stations. The baggage allowance is paid based on the distance moved and the teacher’s job group. The rates range from Sh43 to Sh80 per kilometer as follows:
| S/N | Grade | TSC Scale | Rate (KSh/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B5 | 5 | 43 |
| 2 | C1 | 6 | 43 |
| 3 | C2 | 7 | 55 |
| 4 | C3 | 8 | 55 |
| 5 | C4 | 9 | 55 |
| 6 | C5 | 10 | 55 |
| 7 | D1 | 11 | 68 |
| 8 | D2 | 12 | 68 |
| 9 | D3 | 13 | 68 |
| 10 | D4 | 14 | 68 |
| 11 | D5 | 15 | 80 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What allowances does a C1 teacher receive from TSC?
C1 teachers receive commuter allowance (KSh 4,000), annual leave allowance (KSh 4,000), hardship allowance (KSh 8,200 if posted to designated hardship areas), housing allowance (ranging from KSh 5,800 to KSh 10,000 depending on location), and disability guide allowance (KSh 20,000 if applicable).
How much does a JSS teacher earn in TSC?
Newly employed JSS teachers typically start in job group C2, earning a basic salary ranging from KSh 38,286 to KSh 47,858 per month, plus allowances including commuter (KSh 5,000), housing (KSh 9,600 to KSh 16,500 depending on location), and potential hardship allowance (KSh 10,900).
What is TSC gratuity, and how is it calculated?
Gratuity is a lump sum payment made to teachers at the end of their service, calculated as a percentage of the final basic salary multiplied by the number of years served. This serves as a retirement benefit recognizing long-term service to the education sector.
What is the lowest TSC teacher salary in Kenya?
The lowest-paid teacher is in job group B5, earning a basic salary starting at KSh 23,830 per month, plus various allowances. However, the new CBA promises significant improvements for these entry-level educators.
How much do TSC interns earn?
TSC Interns currently earn approximately KSh 20,000 for primary school positions and KSh 25,000 for secondary school positions, though these figures may be adjusted under the new CBA framework.
At what age do TSC teachers retire?
Teachers in Kenya retire at age 60, though there may be provisions for early retirement or contract extensions in specific circumstances.
How many days of annual leave are TSC teachers entitled to?
TSC teachers are entitled to 30 working days of annual leave per calendar year, taken during school holidays. In addition, all teachers receive an annual leave allowance — a cash payment ranging from KSh 4,000 (Grade B5) to KSh 10,000 (Grade D1–D5) — paid at the start of each year to support their leave period.
