The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya has a new salary scale resulting from the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with teachers’ unions (KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET).
This agreement, covering the 2025-2029 period, includes a two-phase implementation for a salary review, with the first phase starting from July 1, 2025, and the second phase on July 1, 2026.
The overall salary increment across the various teacher cadres is up to 29.5% for the lowest-earning teachers.
Key Features of the New Salary Scales
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Implementation: Two phases, starting in July 2025 and July 2029.
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Grading Structure: The previous grading structure and T-Scales (T-Scale 5 to T-Scale 15) remain in use.
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Lowest Earner Increment: A Primary Teacher II (Grade B5 – T-Scale 5) who used to earn a minimum of KES 23,830 will now earn a higher minimum basic salary (likely around KES 28,620 after the first phase).
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Allowances: Most existing allowances (Commuter, Hardship, Leave) remain largely unchanged, but there has been a review and increase in House Allowance for Cluster 4 (All other areas) and the introduction/increase of Baggage Allowance.
Continue reading: New TSC Salary Scales for all Job Groups 2025-2029
TSC Allowances 2025-2029
The Commission has however not revised the allowances paid to teachers which unions wanted raised to cushion teacher from effects of inflation.
All existing allowances will remain unchanged except for baggage allowance as TSC plans to review the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) in June 2026.
MONTHLY BASIC SALARY CBA 2025 – 2029
| Grade | TSC Scale | Basic Pay Minimum |
Basic Pay Maximum |
| B5 | 5 | 28,620 | 37,100 |
| C1 | 6 | 35,336 | 47,261 |
| C2 | 7 | 41,420 | 57,230 |
| C3 | 8 | 49,781 | 66,233 |
| C4 | 9 | 58,585 | 77,120 |
| C5 | 10 | 69,745 | 96,130 |
| D1 | 11 | 80,984 | 99,272 |
| D2 | 12 | 95,271 | 116,012 |
| D3 | 13 | 109,224 | 133,347 |
| D4 | 14 | 121,789 | 150,675 |
| D5 | 15 | 135,321 | 167,415 |
MONTHLY COMMUTER ALLOWANCE 2025-2029
| Grade | Commuter Allowance p.m |
| B5 | 4,000 |
| C1 | 4,000 |
| C2 | 5,000 |
| C3 | 6,000 |
| C4 | 8,000 |
| C5 | 8,000 |
| D1 | 12,000 |
| D2 | 12,000 |
| D3 | 14,000 |
| D4 | 14,000 |
| D5 | 16,000 |
MONTHLY DISABILITY GUIDE ALLOWANCE
| Grade | Disability Guide Allowance p.m |
| B5 | 20,000 |
| C1 | 20,000 |
| C2 | 20,000 |
| C3 | 20,000 |
| C4 | 20,000 |
| C5 | 20,000 |
| D1 | 20,000 |
| D2 | 20,000 |
| D3 | 20,000 |
| D4 | 20,000 |
| D5 | 20,000 |
LEAVE ALLOWANCE (paid once a year with the Jnauary Salary)
| Grade | Annual Leave Allowance |
| B5 | 4,000 |
| C1 | 4,000 |
| C2 | 6,000 |
| C3 | 6,000 |
| C4 | 6,000 |
| cs | 6,000 |
| D1 | 10,000 |
| D2 | 10,000 |
| D3 | 10,000 |
| D4 | 10,000 |
| D5 | 10,000 |
MONTHLY HOUSE ALLOWANCE 2025-2029
| Grade | TSC Scale | Hse1 Nairobi | Hse2 -Major Municipalities- Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii and Kitale | Hse3 -Other former Minor Municipalities | Hse4 – alI other areas |
| BS | 5 | 6,750 | 4,500 | 3,850 | 3,200 |
| C1 | 6 | 10,000 | 7,500 | 5,800 | 4,200 |
| C2 | 7 | 16,500 | 12,800 | 9,600 | 7,500 |
| C3 | 8 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 13,000 |
| C4 | 9 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 13,000 |
| C5 | 10 | 35,000 | 25,500 | 18,000 | 15,400 |
| D1 | 11 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D2 | 12 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D3 | 13 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D4 | 14 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 16,800 |
| D5 | 15 | 50,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 | 20,000 |
HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE
| Grade | Hardship Allowance |
| B5 | 6,600 |
| C1 | 8,200 |
| C2 | 10,900 |
| C3 | 12,300 |
| C4 | 14,650 |
| C5 | 17,100 |
| D1 | 27,300 |
| D2 | 27,300 |
| D3 | 31,500 |
| D4 | 31,500 |
| D5 | 38,100 |
TSC Basic Salary Scale Comparison
The table below shows a snapshot of the basic salary conversion for a few key grades, demonstrating the two phases of the increment.
| Grade | T-Scale | Job Title | Basic Salary (W.E.F. 01/07/2025) (Min) | Basic Salary (W.E.F. 01/07/2026) (Min) |
| B5 | 5 | Primary Teacher II | KES 25,028 | KES 26,225 (Example Point 2) |
| C2 | 7 | Secondary Teacher II / Senior Teacher II | KES 39,070 | KES 40,954 (Example Point 2) |
| C3 | 8 | Secondary Teacher I / Senior Teacher I | KES 46,699 | KES 49,239 (Example Point 2) |
| D5 | 15 | Chief Principal | KES 132,365 | KES 136,452 (Example Point 2) |
Note: The full circular contains detailed salary conversion tables with multiple salary points for each T-Scale for the specific two-phase implementation.
Teacher Job Titles and Scales 2025-2029
The grading structure remains as follows:
| Grade | T-Scale | Key Job Titles |
| B5 | 5 | Primary Teacher II |
| C1 | 6 | Primary Teacher I / Secondary Teacher III |
| C2 | 7 | Secondary Teacher II / Senior Teacher II |
| C3 | 8 | Secondary Teacher I / Senior Teacher I |
| C4 | 9 | Deputy Headteacher II / Senior Master IV |
| C5 | 10 | Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher I / Senior Master III |
| D1 | 11 | Senior Headteacher / Senior Master II / Deputy Principal III |
| D2 | 12 | Deputy Principal II / Senior Master I |
| D3 | 13 | Principal / Deputy Principal I |
| D4 | 14 | Senior Principal |
| D5 | 15 | Chief Principal |
IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE 1 OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT 2025-2029 FOR TEACHERS
1. Introduction
On 1 8 th July 2025, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) 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).
The agreement has reviewed the terms and conditions of teachers including remuneration payable to teachers. The CBA will be implemented in four (4) phases with effect from 1 st July 2025 to 30th June, 2029.
2. Application
This Circular shall apply to all teachers employed by the Commission and are in service as at 1 st July, 2025.
3. Implementation Period
This Circular is effective from 1 st July, 2025 to 30th June, 2026.
4. Incremental Dates
Teachers converting into the new salary scales will retain their current incremental dates. However, where the incremental date falls on 1 st July, 2025, teachers will be granted their annual increment on the existing salary scales then convert to the new salary points with effect from the same date.
5. Annual Salary Increment
Annual salary increment for all teachers will continue to apply as provided for in the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015).
6. Grading and Salary Structure
The current grading structure and designations will continue to apply as set out in Table 1. The salary conversion tables are as set out in tables 2-12 attached to this Circular.
7. Allowances
i) House Allowance rates are categorised in three (3) clusters namely: –
- Cluster 1: Nairobi City
- Cluster 2: Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale municipalities.
- Cluster 3: All other areas.
The rates for payment of House Allowance are set out in Appendix A.
ii) The Baggage Allowance has been reviewed as per Appendix B.
iii) Hardship, Commuter, Leave and Disability Guide Allowance shall be paid, where appropriate, as set out in Appendix C.
iv) All other allowances shall be paid as per the provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015).
TSC JOB GROUPS/ SALARY SCALES
| 1. | Chief Principal | T-Scale 15 | |
| 2. | Senior Principal | T-Scale 14 | |
| 3. | Principal | T-Scale 13 | |
| Deputy Principal I | |||
| 4. | Deputy Principal Il | T-Scale 12 | |
| Senior Master I | |||
| Senior Lecturer I | |||
| 5. | Senior Master Il | DI | T-Scale 11 |
| Deputy Principal Ill | |||
| Senior Head teacher | |||
| Senior Lecturer Il | |||
| Curriculum Support Officer I | |||
| 6. | T-Scale 10 | ||
| Senior Master Ill | |||
| Senior Lecturer Ill | |||
| Head teacher | |||
| Deputy Head teacher I | |||
| Curriculum Support Officer Il | |||
| 7. | Senior Lecturer IV | T-Scale 9 | |
| Senior Master IV | |||
| SNE Senior Teacher — Primary | |||
| SNE Teacher I – Secondary | |||
| Deputy Head teacher Il | |||
| 8. | Secondary Teacher I | T-Scale 8 | |
| Lecturer I | |||
| SNE Teacher I – Primary | |||
| SNE Teacher Il – Secondary | |||
| Senior Teacher I | |||
| 9. | Secondary Teacher Il – u T Graduate | T-Scale 7 | |
| Secondary Teacher Il | |||
| Secondary Teacher Il — Technical Certificate | |||
| SNE Teacher Il — Primary | |||
| Lecturer Il | |||
| Senior Teacher Il | |||
| 10. | Secondary Teacher Ill — u T Certificate | T-Scale 6 | |
| Secondary Teacher Ill | |||
| Lecturer Ill | |||
| Primary Teacher I | |||
| 11 . | Primary Teacher Il | T-Scale 5 |
CONVERSION OF PRIMARY TEACHER II (GRADE B5 – TSCALE 5)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 23,830 | 1 | 25,028 |
| 2 | 24,918 | 2 | 26,225 |
| 3 | 26,055 | 3 | 27,479 |
| 4 | 27,244 | 4 | 28,793 |
| 5 | 28,487 | 5 | 30,171 |
| 6 | 29,787 | 6 | 31,615 |
CONVERSION OF PRIMARY TEACHER I (GRADE C1 – TSCALE 6)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 29,787 | 1 | 31,105 | |
| 2 | 31,147 | 2 | 32,561 |
| 3 | 32,569 | 3 | 34,085 |
| 4 | 34,055 | 4 | 35,680 |
| 5 | 35,609 | 5 | 37,350 |
| 6 | 37,234 | 6 | 38,900 |
CONVERSION OF SECONDARY TEACHER II/ LECTURER II/ SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – PRIMARY/SENIOR TEACHER II (GRADE C2- TSCALE 7)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 38,286 | 1 | 39,070 | |
| 2 | 40,034 | 2 | 40,954 |
| 3 | 41,861 | 3 | 42,929 |
| 4 | 43,772 | 4 | 45,001 |
| 5 | 45,770 | 5 | 46,600 |
| 6 | 47,858 | 6 | 49,100 |
CONVERSION OF SECONDARY TEACHER I/ LECTURER I/ SENIOR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – PRIMARY/SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – SECONDARY/SENIOR TEACHER I (GRADE C3 – TSCALE 8)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 45,671 | 1 | 46,699 |
| 2 | 48,085 | 2 | 49,239 |
| 3 | 50,626 | 3 | 51,917 |
| 4 | 53,302 | 4 | 54,741 |
| 5 | 56,119 | 5 | 57,775 |
| 6 | 59,084 | 6 | 60,871 |
CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER IV/SENIOR LECTURER IV/SENIOR TEACHER-SNE/ SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER SECONDARY/DEPUTY HEADTEACHER Il (GRADE C4 – TSCALE 9)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 52,308 | 1 | 56,922 |
| 2 | 54,403 | 2 | 59,482 |
| 3 | 56,582 | 3 | 62,156 |
| 4 | 58,848 | ||
| 5 | 61,205 | 4 | 64,951 |
| 6 | 63,657 | 5 | 67,900 |
| 7 | 66,206 | 6 | 70,923 |
| 8 | 68,857 | ||
CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER Ill/ SENIOR LECTURER IWHEADTEACHEWSENIOR MASTER – SNE, HEADTEACHEVDEPUTY HEADTEACHER I (GRADE C5 – TSCALE 10)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 62,272 | 1 | 67,900 |
| 2 | 64,880 | 2 | 71,100 |
| 3 | 67,597 | 3 | 72,828 |
| 4 | 70,428 | 4 | 75,978 |
| 5 | 73,377 | 5 | 78,100 |
| 6 | 76,450 | 6 | 79,100 |
| 7 | 79,651 | 7 | 81,100 |
CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER Il/ DEPUTY PRINCIPAL III/ SENIOR HEADTEACHER/ SENIOR LECTURER II (GRADE D1 – TSCALE 11)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01 /07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 78,625 | 1 | 79,215 | |
| 2 | 80,946 | 2 | 81,553 |
| 3 | 83,335 | 3 | 83,960 |
| 4 | 85,795 | 4 | 86,438 |
| 5 | 88,327 | 5 | 88,989 |
| 6 | 90,934 | 6 | 91,616 |
| 7 | 93,618 | 7 | 94,320 |
| 8 | 96,381 | 8 | 97,104 |
CONVERSION OF DEPUTY PRINCIPAL II AND SENIOR MASTER I (GRADE D2 – TSCALE 12)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 92,496 | 93,190 | |
| 2 | 95,136 | 2 | 98,585 |
| 3 | 97,851 | ||
| 4 | 100,644 | 3 | 101,399 |
| 5 | 103,516 | 4 | 104,292 |
| 6 | 106,470 | 5 | 107,269 |
| 7 | 109,508 | 6 | 110,329 |
| 8 | 112,633 | 7 | 113,478 |
CONVERSION OF PRINCIPAL AND DEPUTY PRINCIPAL I (GRADE D3 – TSCALE 13)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01107/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 106,043 | 1 | 106,838 |
| 2 | 109,630 | 2 | 110,452 |
| 3 | 113,337 | 3 | 114,1 87 |
| 4 | 117,170 | 4 | 118,049 |
| 5 | 121,132 | 5 | 122,040 |
| 6 | 125,229 | 6 | 26,168 |
| 7 | 129,463 | 7 | 130,434 |
CONVERSION OF SENIOR PRINCIPAL (GRADE D4 – TSCALE 14)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | SALARY POINTS | SALARY |
| 1 | 118,242 | 1 | 119,129 |
| 2 | 121,893 | 2 | 126,598 |
| 3 | 125,656 | ||
| 4 | 129,535 | 3 | 130,506 |
| 5 | 133,534 | 4 | 134,535 |
| 6 | 37,656 | 5 | 138,688 |
| 7 | 141,906 | 6 | 142,969 |
| 8 | 146,286 | 7 | 147,383 |
CONVERSION OF CHIEF PRINCIPAL (GRADE D5 – TSCALE 15)
| BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2024 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F. 01/07/2025 | ||
| SALARY POINT | SALARY | SALARY POINT | SALARY |
| 1 | 131,380 | 1 | 132,365 |
| 2 | 1 35,436 | 2 | 136,452 |
| 3 | 139,617 | 3 | 140,664 |
| 4 | 143,927 | 4 | 145,006 |
| 5 | 148,370 | 5 | 149,483 |
| 6 | 1 52,951 | 6 | 154,098 |
| 7 | 157,672 | 7 | 158,855 |
| 8 | 162,539 | 8 | 163,758 |
TSC ALLOWANCES 2025-2029
HOUSE ALLOWANCE
| Grade | TSC Scale | CLUSTER 1 Nairobi |
CLUSTER 2 Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, Kakamega and Kitale Municipalities |
CLUSTER 3 AlI other areas |
| BS | 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 |
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
| Grade | TSC Scale | Rates in Kshs. per kilometer |
| B5 | 5 | 43 |
| C1 | 6 | 43 |
| C2 | 7 | 55 |
| C3 | 8 | 55 |
| C4 | 9 | 55 |
| C5 | 10 | 55 |
| D1 | 11 | 68 |
| D2 | 12 | 68 |
| D3 | 13 | 68 |
| D4 | 14 | 68 |
| D5 | 15 | 80 |
HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE, COMMUTER ALLOWANCE, ANNUAL LEAVE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY GUIDE ALLOWANCE
| Grade | TSC Scale | Hardship Allowance | Commuter Allowance | Annual Leave Allowance | Disability Guide Allowance |
| 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 | 1 1 | 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 |
DETAILS OF THE 2025-2029 CBA
Under the new CBA, the highest-paid teachers, those in job group D5, will now earn up to Ksh167,415 per month. This represents a 5 percent increase in basic salary and places senior educators in a significantly improved financial position.
More impactful, however, is the raise granted to the lowest-paid teachers, who will receive a 29.6 percent increase in pay. Teachers at the bottom of the salary scale, currently earning around Ksh23,000, will see their salaries rise to approximately Ksh29,000. These adjustments are intended to uplift classroom teachers who have long felt neglected in previous CBAs.
The salary increases will be implemented in phases over five years, with an annual allocation of Ksh8.4 billion earmarked for the adjustments. By the end of the agreement period, June 30, 2029, the cumulative cost of the raises will total Ksh33 billion.
According to the agreement, the new pay structure takes effect immediately, with teachers expected to see changes in their monthly paychecks by the end of July 2025. The revised salary structure covers all job groups, from the entry-level C1 to the top-tier D5.
Here is a detailed Salary Scales breakdown:
- Job Group C1: Ksh35,300 – Ksh47,300
- Job Group C2: Ksh41,400 – Ksh57,200
- Job Group C3: Ksh49,800 – Ksh66,200
- Job Group C4: Ksh58,600 – Ksh77,100
- Job Group C5: Ksh69,700 – Ksh96,100
- Job Group D1: Ksh81,000 – Ksh99,300
- Job Group D2: Ksh95,300 – Ksh116,000
- Job Group D3: Ksh109,200 – Ksh133,300
- Job Group D4: Ksh121,800 – Ksh150,700
- Job Group D5: Ksh150,000 – Ksh167,415