Here’s How Much Teachers Will Get Under the 2025–2029 Pay Deal
Kenyan teachers are set to receive significant increases in their earnings in 2026 under the newly signed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the country’s major teachers’ unions – Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post‑Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET).
Signed in July 2025 and costing the government an estimated KES 33.7 billion over four years, this landmark deal aims to transform teachers’ pay scales, allowances, and overall welfare. While the full implementation runs through June 2029, key salary increases will be reflected in 2026 payrolls, marking a major milestone for educators across the country.
In this in‑depth report, we break down how much teachers are expected to earn in 2026 under the new CBA, explain what the changes really mean, and provide detailed tables showing the latest figures.
📊 What the 2025–2029 CBA Means for Teacher Pay in 2026
Under the new CBA, the salary framework for teachers has been revised significantly, with structured increases for all job grades. The key implementation phases are:
- Phase 1: Began 1 July 2025 – new salary scales kick in for teachers already in service.
- Phase 2: Takes effect 1 July 2026 – further salary adjustments and continued implementation of the pay framework.
The Teachers Service Commission has maintained the T‑Scale structure (T‑Scale 5 to T‑Scale 15), spanning from entry‑level primary teachers to senior leadership positions.
In broad terms, salary increases of up to ~29.5% have been awarded, especially benefiting the lowest‑earning cadres.
💼 New Teacher Salary Scales (2025–2029 CBA)
Below is a detailed look at the updated teacher salary scales that will be in effect as the 2026 financial year progresses under the 2025–2029 CBA:
🔹 Monthly Basic Salary (KES)
| Grade | T‑Scale | Basic Salary (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| B5 | T‑Scale 5 | 28,620 – 37,100 |
| C1 | T‑Scale 6 | 35,336 – 47,261 |
| C2 | T‑Scale 7 | 41,420 – 57,230 |
| C3 | T‑Scale 8 | 49,781 – 66,233 |
| C4 | T‑Scale 9 | 58,585 – 77,120 |
| C5 | T‑Scale 10 | 69,745 – 96,130 |
| D1 | T‑Scale 11 | 80,984 – 99,272 |
| D2 | T‑Scale 12 | 95,271 – 116,012 |
| D3 | T‑Scale 13 | 109,224 – 133,347 |
| D4 | T‑Scale 14 | 121,789 – 150,675 |
| D5 | T‑Scale 15 | 135,321 – 167,415 |
Table: Revised teacher salary bands under the 2025–2029 CBA, effective into 2026. Basic salaries vary by grade with higher scales for more senior teachers.
💰 What This Means for Teachers in 2026
Here’s what these changes mean for Kenyan educators:
🧑🏫 Entry‑Level Teachers (Grade B5)
- Previously, the lowest earning teachers in Grade B5 took home around KES 23,830 basic salary.
- Under the new CBA, their basic pay jumps to a minimum of KES 28,620 – representing a roughly 29.5% increase.
This increase alone represents a notable uplift in take‑home earnings, especially for teachers supporting families or managing high living costs.
📈 Major Benefits Beyond Basic Salaries
In addition to the basic pay changes, the 2025–2029 CBA includes several allowances and benefits that will impact how much teachers actually receive in their pay packets:
🔸 Allowances and Incentives
Some of the key allowances included or highlighted in the CBA structure are:
| Allowance Type | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Baggage Allowance | Revised rates depending on grade; paid per kilometer traveled |
| 🏙️ House Allowance | Categorized by location (Nairobi, major towns, minor towns, rural) |
| 🚍 Commuter Allowance | Monthly commuter support varies by grade |
| 🧑🦽 Disability Guide Allowance | Flat monthly payout for all grades |
| 📅 Annual Leave Allowance | Paid every January depending on grade |
These allowances significantly boost total earnings, though their actual impact depends on individual factors like posting location and grade.
📊 Example Total Earnings in 2026
To illustrate how much teachers may take home, consider the following simplified breakdowns for selected grades:
🧑🏫 Sample Monthly Earnings (2026 Estimate)
| Grade | Basic Pay (mid‑scale) | Estimated Allowances | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 32,000 | 7,000–10,000 | ~39,000–42,000 |
| C3 | 58,000 | 10,000–14,000 | ~68,000–72,000 |
| D2 | 105,000 | 15,000–20,000 | ~120,000–125,000 |
| D5 | 150,000 | 20,000–25,000 | ~170,000–175,000 |
Estimates based on reported basic pay ranges and typical allowance structures.
Note: These figures are illustrative and individual incomes will vary based on exact grade, allowances earned, taxes, and statutory deductions like pension contributions.
🇰🇪 What the CBA Means for Teacher Welfare
The 2025–2029 CBA represents one of the most ambitious teacher pay negotiations in recent Kenyan history. Here’s why:
✔️ Raises Across All Grades
Every teacher on the TSC payroll benefits from the new pay structure, from entry‑level cadre to senior administrators.
✔️ Structured Implementation
Salary increases are phased, providing stability and predictability for educators’ financial planning.
✔️ Better Allowances
Revised allowances like baggage and commuter pay recognize the challenges teachers face, especially during relocations or in high‑cost areas.
✔️ Boosted Morale
Teacher unions have celebrated the deal as a step toward meaningful recognition of teachers’ contributions to Kenya’s development.
🧠 Final Takeaway
In 2026, Kenyan teachers will see some of the most significant pay improvements in years thanks to the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. With basic salaries rising by nearly 30% in many cases, plus revised allowances and structured pay enhancements, the deal aims to make teaching a more financially sustainable profession for thousands of educators across the country.
While the exact take‑home figures will depend on individual grades and deductions, the trend is clear: teachers are set to earn substantially more money in 2026 than they did under the previous pay structure.
