Job groups, salaries and allowances in Kenya 2024

Job groups in Kenya are generally classified according to an employee’s level of education, set of skills and certification. For public servants, job groups and salaries are set and reviewed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The SRC works on the job grading system to promote equal pay for work of equal value. It’s usually done in terms of education level and sometimes working experience. The job group’s basic salary varies depending on the ministry one serves and may differ from one person to the other. The differences mostly come into play when you put in the allowances that people in these job groups receive. 

Job groups and salaries in Kenya

Each of the job groups in Kenya has a threshold that every employee is expected to meet. Hence, salaries vary, with an employee’s qualifications playing a more prominent role in determining how much each earns.

Job group B1

This is the lowest job group in Kenya and contains low-skilled essential workers. They include; Officer III, Support Staff, Operator III, and Attendant III. The salary scale for this group is Ksh 11,553 – Ksh 14,442.

Job group B2

This group contains skilled and low-level supervisory staff. Job group B2 salary scale is Ksh 14,007 – Ksh 17,508.

Job group B3

According to the SRC salary structure, this group enjoys basic pay of Ksh 16,777 – Ksh 20,972.

Job group B4

This group consists of various skilled individuals. They enjoy a basic salary of Ksh 19,859 – Ksh.24,823.

Job group B5

A civil servant in this group expects a salary of Ksh 23,176 – Ksh 28,970. In the devolved governments, employers in this group include top executives and most senior specialists (heads of institutions).

Job group C1

Not very skilled but at least more qualified than all the previous job groups. Professionals in this group receive a salary of Ksh 28,970 – Ksh 39,110.

Job group C2

Staff that fall in this category earn Ksh 36,411 – Ksh.47,373.

Job group C3

An individual employed in this category, just like other job applicants, will undergo on the job training after graduation for a while before they are fully absorbed into the job industry. The salary range is Ksh 44,898 – Ksh 56,326.

Job group C4

With a bit of working experience and higher academic qualifications, professionals in this group pocket between Ksh 54, 532 – Ksh 68,165.

Job group C5

With a scale of Ksh 64,919 – Ksh 81,148, job group C5 holds a significant size of Kenya’s skilled workforce.

Job group D1

Most employees in this job group are in entry-level management positions and earn Ksh 81,148 – Ksh 109,550.

Job group D2

This is the 11th level in the civil servant grading system. Employees in this category earn Ksh 97,184 – Ksh 130,226.

Job group D3

The personnel in this group is more professional and probably at the management level. The salary range is Ksh 114,334 – Ksh 152,064. 

Job group D4

Professionals in this group, mostly in middle or high-level management, are highly skilled and earn Ksh 132,178 – Ksh 174,425.

Job group D5

These are among the highest-paid employees in Kenya. They earn Ksh 150,202 – Ksh 198,267. Since it is amongst the highest job groups in Kenya, prospective employees ought to have the required experience and exposure in their sectors.

Job group E1

If you have the required experience to secure employment in the civil service under job group E1, expect to earn a salary Ksh 198,267 – Ksh 257,747.

Job group E2

People in job group E2 are the second-highest-paid with a salary scale of Ksh 221,508 – Ksh 282,954. The position requires a high level of experience.

Job group E4

This job group has highly skilled and specialised personnel with high-quality education and matching working experience. They are in high-level management positions. People in Job group E4 have a basic salary range of Ksh 292,765 – Ksh 576,120.

Allowances in Kenya

Although allowances and per diem rates for Kenya civil servants are tailored to fit different professions in different fields, they rarely change during salary reviews. These elements bring a difference in the total money one receives at the end of the day.

1. House allowance

This highly depends on the job, and it may be substituted by giving the employees housing in the work premises or near the workplace. The amount differs across the job groups if in monetary value. One of the best things is that the Kenya civil servants house allowance harmonization has allowed employees to enjoy a higher amount.

2. Commuter allowance

The commuter allowance covers transport expenses to and from work and throughout all official errands. Some firms alternate this by having a means of transport to pick and drop their staff and run all official errands. Employees receive a monthly commuter allowance of Ksh 3,000 for those in job groups B1 to C1, while those in group C2 get Ksh 4,000. The allowance increases for higher job groups.

3. Leave allowance

According to the SRC salary structure, every employee is expected to get paid leave every year in the agreed sequence. People in hardship areas can, however, get a leave allowance twice per year.

4. Other allowances in Kenya

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has specific allowances on top of the typical house, commuter and leave allowances. They add a significant amount to the basic pay that bringing a massive difference to the remuneration a civil servant receives.

• Hardship allowance: The allowance is distributed to civil servants in hardship areas like remote and rural areas.
• Transfer allowance: Upon receiving a transfer, all employees should receive an allowance to facilitate their movement and settling in.
• Risk allowance: This is given to healthy workers who get exposed to various health risks in their work.