When it comes to teaching in Kenya, there’s one topic that always gets tongues wagging: salaries! And honestly, who can blame teachers for caring? With the rising cost of unga, fuel, and even fare, understanding how much you’ll earn is absolutely crucial. Now, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced some updates for 2025, and trust me, you’ll want to stay in the loop. So, grab a cup of chai, relax, and let’s unpack what the TSC new salary structure means for you.
Overview of the TSC salary structure changes in 2025
First off, it’s important to know that the TSC salary structure doesn’t just change for the sake of change. These updates are part of agreements with unions like KNUT and KUPPET, and they’re often tied to inflation and government budgets. For 2025, there’s a slight salary increment across most grades — which, honestly, is better than a kick in the teeth.
Moreover, the new TSC grading system for all teachers in Kenya changed recently, hence affecting the teacher salary scales.
| 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 IISenior Master ISenior Lecturer I | D2 | T-Scale 12 |
| 5 | Senior Master IIDeputy Principal IIISenior Head teacherSenior Lecturer IICurriculum Support Officer I | D1 | T-Scale 11 |
| 6 | Senior Master IIISenior Lecturer IIIHead teacherDeputy Head teacher ICurriculum Support Officer II | C5 | T-Scale 10 |
| 7 | Senior Lecturer IVSenior Master IVSNE Senior Teacher – PrimarySNE Teacher I – SecondaryDeputy Head teacher II | C4 | T-Scale 9 |
| 8 | Secondary Teacher ILecturer ISNE Teacher I – PrimarySNE Teacher II – SecondarySenior Teacher I | C3 | T-Scale 8 |
| 9 | Secondary Teacher IISNE Teacher II – PrimaryLecturer IISenior Teacher II | C2 | T-Scale 7 |
| 10 | Secondary Teacher IIILecturer IIIPrimary Teacher I | C1 | T-Scale 6 |
| 11 | Primary Teacher II | B5 | T-Scale 5 |
| No | Title | Grade | Salary |
| 1 | Chief principals | Grade D5 (T-Scale 15) | Ksh. 131,380 – Ksh. 159,534 |
| 2 | Senior principals | Grade D4 (T-Scale 14) | Ksh. 118,242 – Ksh. 143,581 |
| 3 | PrincipalsDeputy principal 1 | Grade D3 (T-Scale 13) | Ksh. 105,182 – Ksh. 127,069 |
| 4 | Deputy principal IISenior master I | Grade D2 (T-Scale 12) | Ksh. 92,119 – Ksh. 110,551 |
| 5 | Senior master IIDeputy principal IIISenior head teacher | Grade D1 (T-Scale 11) | Ksh. 78,625 – Ksh. 95,101 |
| 6 | Senior master IIISenior lecturer IIIHead teacherDeputy head teacher I | Grade C5 (T-Scale 10) | Ksh. 62,272 – Ksh. 78,667 |
| 7 | Senior lecturer IVSenior master IVSNE senior teacher (Primary)SNE teacher I (Secondary)Deputy head teacher II | Grade C4 (T-Scale 9) | Ksh. 52,308 – Ksh. 67,220 |
| 8 | Secondary teacher ILecturer ISNE teacher I (Primary)SNE teacher II (Secondary)Senior teacher I | Grade C3 (T-Scale 8) | Ksh. 44,412 – Ksh. 56,514 |
| 9 | Secondary teacher IISNE teacher II (Primary)Lecturer IISenior teacher II | Grade C2 (T-Scale 7) | Ksh. 36,621 – Ksh. 45,776 |
| 10 | Secondary teacher IIILecturer IIIPrimary teacher I | Grade C1 (T-Scale 6) | Ksh. 28,491 – Ksh. 35,614 |
| 11 | Primary teacher II | Grade B5 (T-Scale 5) | Ksh. 22,793 – Ksh. 28,491 |
New entry-level salaries for teachers in Kenya
Let’s break it down kidogo: if you’re a fresh graduate teacher getting posted through TSC, your starting salary falls under Job Group C2. As of 2025, the basic salary here starts at around Ksh 36,000 — a modest rise from previous years. When you add allowances like house, commuter, and hardship allowance (if you’re posted to Mandera or Turkana), your gross pay could hit over Ksh 50,000. Honestly, it’s not millionaire money, lakini it’s a decent beginning if you manage your cash well. And remember, HELB will come knocking soon after your payslip appears!
Salary progression for teachers through promotions
Here’s the sweet spot: the more you climb the TSC ladder, the sweeter the payslip. Teachers moving from C2 to C3 (Senior Teacher roles) will see their basic salary rise to about Ksh 43,000 or more. Those who grind hard and become Deputy Principals or Principals can command salaries between Ksh 90,000 to Ksh 150,000 depending on the school’s size and location. But promotion isn’t automatic, my friend — you’ll need solid performance reviews, further training, and in some cases, attending TPD (Teacher Professional Development) programs. It’s work, but worth it in the long run.
Allowances that boost teacher salaries under the new structure
Now, don’t just stare at the basic salary alone and feel discouraged. Kenyan teachers also enjoy allowances that significantly improve their final take-home pay. The most common include house allowance (higher if you teach in Nairobi), commuter allowance, hardship allowance, and special duty allowance for certain positions. For example, a teacher in Wajir gets a higher hardship allowance compared to a teacher in Kiambu. These allowances are still active and were slightly revised upwards in 2025, so be sure to check the official TSC salary scales for your region.
Tips for teachers to make the most of the 2025 salary adjustments
Let’s be honest: even with the new salary structure, life in Kenya isn’t getting any cheaper. That’s why it’s smart for teachers to budget tightly, invest wisely (maybe start a small side hustle?), and avoid the endless cycle of mobile loans. If you can, join a teachers’ SACCO — it’s one of the few ways to borrow affordable loans for real projects. Also, keep learning! The more qualifications you gain (like diplomas, master’s degrees), the higher your chances of getting promoted — and with promotion comes better pay. Kama kawaida, it’s survival for the smartest.
Know your worth and plan smartly
The TSC new salary structure 2025 brings a sigh of relief, but it’s also a reminder that building a good life takes strategy. Whether you’re just joining the teaching field or you’ve been chalking boards for decades, staying informed about your pay helps you plan better. Keep an eye on TSC’s updates, talk to your union reps if necessary, and always find ways to grow your career. After all, being a teacher in Kenya isn’t just about salaries — it’s about impact, growth, and smart financial moves. Wishing you baraka tele in your teaching journey!
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary of a secondary school teacher in Kenya? Many secondary education teachers earn between Ksh. 35,614 for a secondary teacher III to Ksh. 127,069 for a principal.
- How much do C3 teachers get paid? The TSC C3 salary scale varies from Ksh. 44,412 to Ksh. 56,514, which entails different designations such as secondary teacher I, lecturer I, SNE teacher I (Primary), SNE teacher II (Secondary), and senior teacher I.
- Who are the highest-paid teachers in Kenya? The chief principals are the highest-paid educators in Kenya, with their basic salary ranging from Ksh. 131,380 to Ksh. 159,534.
- What is the basic salary for a C1 teacher? TSC C1 salary scale ranges from Ksh. 28,491 – Ksh. 35,614, which includes secondary teacher III, lecturer III and primary teacher I.
- What is the basic salary for a C4 teacher? The TSC C4 salary scale spans from Ksh. 52,308 to Ksh. 67,220, covering positions such as senior lecturer IV, senior master IV, SNE senior teacher (primary), SNE teacher I (secondary), and deputy head teacher II.
- What is the salary structure of TSC in 2025? The Teachers Service Commission enumerated the pay rise of different tutors according to their job groups for both primary and secondary school teachers to be implemented in two phases that commenced on 1st July 2023.