Overview of Kenya's Salary Landscape
Kenya's job market reflects a diverse economy with significant variations in compensation across sectors, experience levels, and geographic locations. The country's minimum wage, as set by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, stands at KES 15,201 per month for general workers as of 2023, though this varies by region and sector.
Salaries in Kenya are influenced by several factors including industry demand, skill scarcity, educational qualifications, and the presence of multinational corporations. Nairobi, as the commercial hub, typically offers the highest compensation packages, followed by Mombasa and other major urban centers.
Banking and Financial Services
The financial sector remains one of Kenya's highest-paying industries, driven by the country's position as East Africa's financial hub and the growth of fintech innovations like M-Pesa.
Entry Level (0-2 years experience)
- Bank Teller: KES 35,000 - 55,000
- Credit Analyst: KES 45,000 - 70,000
- Financial Advisor: KES 40,000 - 65,000
- Audit Assistant: KES 38,000 - 60,000
Mid-Level (3-7 years experience)
- Branch Manager: KES 120,000 - 200,000
- Senior Credit Officer: KES 85,000 - 135,000
- Risk Manager: KES 150,000 - 250,000
- Investment Analyst: KES 100,000 - 180,000
Senior Level (8+ years experience)
- Regional Manager: KES 300,000 - 500,000
- Chief Risk Officer: KES 800,000 - 1,500,000
- Head of Treasury: KES 600,000 - 1,200,000
Information Technology and Telecommunications
Kenya's Vision 2030 and the growth of the digital economy have made IT one of the most lucrative sectors, with particular demand for software developers, cybersecurity specialists, and data analysts.
Entry Level
- Software Developer: KES 60,000 - 90,000
- IT Support Specialist: KES 40,000 - 65,000
- Data Analyst: KES 55,000 - 85,000
- Network Administrator: KES 50,000 - 75,000
Mid-Level
- Senior Software Engineer: KES 150,000 - 300,000
- IT Manager: KES 180,000 - 280,000
- Cybersecurity Analyst: KES 120,000 - 220,000
- Product Manager: KES 200,000 - 350,000
Senior Level
- Chief Technology Officer: KES 800,000 - 2,000,000
- IT Director: KES 500,000 - 1,200,000
- Lead Architect: KES 400,000 - 800,000
Healthcare and Medical Services
Healthcare professionals in Kenya command competitive salaries, particularly specialists. However, there's significant variation between public and private sector compensation.
Entry Level
- Nurse (Registered): KES 45,000 - 70,000
- Medical Officer: KES 80,000 - 120,000
- Pharmacist: KES 60,000 - 95,000
- Laboratory Technician: KES 35,000 - 55,000
Mid-Level
- Senior Nurse: KES 80,000 - 130,000
- Specialist Doctor: KES 200,000 - 400,000
- Hospital Administrator: KES 150,000 - 250,000
- Clinical Research Coordinator: KES 100,000 - 180,000
Senior Level
- Consultant Physician: KES 500,000 - 1,500,000
- Chief Medical Officer: KES 600,000 - 1,200,000
- Hospital CEO: KES 800,000 - 2,000,000
Manufacturing and Engineering
Kenya's manufacturing sector, particularly in textiles, food processing, and automotive assembly, offers varied compensation depending on specialization and company size.
Entry Level
- Production Engineer: KES 50,000 - 80,000
- Quality Control Officer: KES 40,000 - 65,000
- Mechanical Engineer: KES 55,000 - 85,000
- Plant Operator: KES 35,000 - 55,000
Mid-Level
- Production Manager: KES 120,000 - 200,000
- Senior Engineer: KES 100,000 - 170,000
- Operations Manager: KES 150,000 - 250,000
- Safety Manager: KES 90,000 - 150,000
Senior Level
- Plant Manager: KES 300,000 - 600,000
- Engineering Director: KES 500,000 - 1,000,000
- Chief Operations Officer: KES 800,000 - 1,800,000
Education and Research
The education sector shows significant disparities between public and private institutions, with international schools and universities typically offering higher compensation.
Primary and Secondary Education
- Primary Teacher (TSC Scale): KES 23,830 - 67,190
- Secondary Teacher (TSC Scale): KES 27,195 - 131,380
- Private School Teacher: KES 35,000 - 120,000
- International School Teacher: KES 80,000 - 300,000
Higher Education and Research
- Lecturer (Public University): KES 89,370 - 185,307
- Senior Lecturer: KES 128,371 - 261,360
- Professor: KES 185,307 - 344,676
- Research Scientist: KES 70,000 - 200,000
Agriculture and Agribusiness
As a key pillar of Kenya's economy, agriculture offers diverse opportunities from farm management to agribusiness consulting, with compensation varying significantly based on scale and specialization.
Various Levels
- Agricultural Officer: KES 45,000 - 90,000
- Farm Manager: KES 60,000 - 150,000
- Agronomist: KES 70,000 - 180,000
- Agribusiness Manager: KES 120,000 - 300,000
Public Sector Compensation
Government salaries are standardized according to job groups as outlined in the Public Service Commission guidelines and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommendations.
- Job Group G (Certificate level): KES 23,830 - 29,787
- Job Group J (Diploma level): KES 31,031 - 42,085
- Job Group M (Degree level): KES 44,271 - 67,190
- Job Group P (Senior level): KES 89,370 - 118,242
- Job Group S (Director level): KES 185,307 - 261,360
Factors Affecting Salary Levels
Several factors significantly influence compensation in Kenya:
- Geographic Location: Nairobi offers 20-40% higher salaries than other regions
- Company Size: Multinational corporations typically pay 30-50% above local market rates
- Educational Qualifications: Professional certifications can increase earning potential by 15-25%
- Industry Regulation: Sectors like banking and telecommunications, governed by strict regulatory frameworks, tend to offer higher compensation
- Skill Scarcity: Specialized skills in technology and finance command premium salaries
Additional Compensation Elements
Beyond basic salaries, Kenyan employers commonly provide:
- Medical insurance coverage
- Transport allowances (typically KES 5,000 - 30,000)
- Housing allowances (varies by position and location)
- Performance-based bonuses
- Professional development funding
- Lunch allowances
Note: Salary figures are subject to market fluctuations and should be verified with current market surveys. Tax implications under the Income Tax Act (Cap. 470) should be considered when evaluating total compensation packages.