This article explains the updated TSC teachers’ salaries and allowances that took effect on 1 July 2026 under Phase 2 of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It summarises grades, monthly basic salary points, and recurring allowances so teachers and school managers can quickly find their pay band and typical benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Effective date: Phase 2 salary and allowances apply from 1 July 2026.
- Grades covered: B5 (Primary Teacher II) up to D5 (Chief Principal) with multiple incremental points per grade.
- Allowances: House, hardship, commuter, annual leave and disability guide allowances are paid on specific schedules; annual leave is paid once a year.
- Clusters: House allowance varies by location cluster (Cluster 1 = Nairobi; Cluster 2 = major towns; Cluster 3 = other areas).
TSC teachers’ salaries — quick overview
The Teachers Service Commission rolled out the Phase 2 salary scales that keep existing incremental dates and annual increments per the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015). The scale assigns each job title to a grade (B5 to D5) and a T-scale number. Below are the basic monthly salary points for each grade.
Job titles by grade
- D5 (T-Scale 15): Chief Principal
- D4 (T-Scale 14): Senior Principal
- D3 (T-Scale 13): Principal, Deputy Principal I, Chief Curriculum Support Officer
- D2 (T-Scale 12): Deputy Principal II, Senior Master I, Senior Lecturer I, Senior Curriculum Support Officer
- D1 (T-Scale 11): Senior Master II, Deputy Principal III, Senior Head Teacher, Senior Lecturer II, Curriculum Support Officer I
- C5 (T-Scale 10): Senior Master III, Senior Lecturer III, Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher I, Curriculum Support Officer II
- C4 (T-Scale 9): Senior Lecturer IV, Senior Master IV, SNE Senior Teacher (Primary), SNE Teacher I (Secondary), Deputy Head Teacher II
- C3 (T-Scale 8): Secondary Teacher I, Lecturer I, SNE Teacher I (Primary), SNE Teacher II (Secondary), Senior Teacher I
- C2 (T-Scale 7): Secondary Teacher II, Lecturer II, SNE Teacher II (Primary), Senior Teacher II
- C1 (T-Scale 6): Secondary Teacher III, Lecturer III, Primary Teacher I
- B5 (T-Scale 5): Primary Teacher II
Basic monthly salary points (effective 1 July 2026)
Each grade has multiple incremental points. Listed here are the points from entry to highest point on that grade.
- D5 (Chief Principal) — 133,351; 137,468; 141,711; 146,086; 150,596; 155,245; 160,037; 164,977
- D4 (Senior Principal) — 120,016; 127,541; 131,478; 135,537; 139,721; 144,035; 148,480
- D3 (Principal / Deputy Principal I) — 107,634; 111,274; 115,037; 118,928; 122,949; 127,107; 131,405
- D2 — 93,883; 99,319; 102,154; 105,069; 108,067; 111,151; 114,322
- D1 — 80,500; 82,694; 84,585; 87,082; 89,652; 92,298; 95,022; 97,827
- C5 — 68,948; 73,016; 74,230; 77,627; 79,265; 80,394; 82,160
- C4 — 57,667; 60,613; 63,372; 66,713; 69,386; 72,988
- C3 — 46,699; 49,239; 51,917; 54,741; 57,775; 60,871
- C2 — 39,070; 40,954; 42,929; 45,001; 46,600; 49,100
- C1 — 31,105; 32,561; 34,085; 35,680; 37,350; 38,900
- B5 (Primary Teacher II) — 25,028; 26,225; 27,479; 28,793; 30,171; 31,615
Allowances explained
The CBA defines several allowances. Most are recurring monthly payments except the annual leave allowance, which is paid once a year.
House allowance (monthly by cluster)
Clusters: Cluster 1 = Nairobi City; Cluster 2 = major towns (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, Kakamega, Kitale); Cluster 3 = other areas.
- B5: Cluster 1 = 6,750; Cluster 2 = 4,500; Cluster 3 = 3,850
- C1: Cluster 1 = 10,000; Cluster 2 = 7,500; Cluster 3 = 5,800
- C2: 16,500; 12,800; 9,600
- C3: 28,000; 22,000; 16,500
- C4: 28,000; 22,000; 16,500
- C5: 35,000; 25,500; 18,000
- D1–D4: 45,000; 28,000; 21,000 (D5 = 50,000; 35,000; 25,000)
Hardship, commuter, annual leave and disability guide allowances
- B5: Hardship 6,600; Commuter 4,000; Annual leave 4,000; Disability guide 20,000
- C1: Hardship 8,200; Commuter 4,000; Annual leave 4,000; Disability guide 20,000
- C2–C5: Hardship ranges from 10,900 to 17,100; Commuter 5,000–8,000; Annual leave 6,000; Disability guide 20,000
- D1–D5: Hardship ranges from 27,300 to 38,100; Commuter 12,000–16,000; Annual leave 10,000; Disability guide 20,000
Note: Annual Leave Allowance is paid once per year; other allowances are recurring monthly where applicable.
Baggage allowance (for transfers/relocation)
- B5: 432 Ksh per km
- C1–C5: rates range from 433 to 557 Ksh per km depending on grade
- D1–D5: rates of 688–800 Ksh per km for senior grades
How to use this information
If you are a teacher, find your job title and grade above to locate the salary points for your current increment. Add applicable allowances by cluster and role to estimate gross monthly pay. Remember that some allowances (like annual leave) have different payment timing and that tax or statutory deductions will reduce net pay.
Helpful resources for teachers and students
Teachers and school administrators may find curriculum and exam resources useful when planning classes or professional development. For example, access CBC exam practice materials at free CBC exam resources, or review sample KCPE and KCSE revision papers at free KCPE exams and free KCSE exam revision.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is covered by these scales? All teachers in service as of 1 July 2026, except intern teachers, are covered by Phase 2.
- Do increments change? Teachers keep their existing incremental dates and continue to receive annual increments under the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015).
- Where can I get official confirmation? Refer to the Teachers Service Commission circular (Circular No. 12/2026) or your payroll office for personalised payslip breakdowns.
