Thousands of teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are set to receive higher salaries beginning with the July 2026 payroll following the implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The revised salaries took effect from July 1, 2026, with teachers expected to receive the enhanced pay in the July salary payment together with any applicable arrears.
The new salary structure introduces increases across all teaching grades, from Primary Teacher II (Grade B5) to Chief Principal (Grade D5). While every teacher will benefit from the adjustment, the amount added to each teacher’s basic salary varies depending on job grade and salary point.
According to the revised salary conversion tables, the largest increase at the entry level is KSh 2,055, awarded to teachers in Grade C3 (Secondary Teacher I). Teachers in Grade C2 (Secondary Teacher II) will receive an increase of KSh 2,030, while Primary Teacher II (Grade B5) teachers will enjoy an additional KSh 1,197 in their monthly basic salary.
The implementation marks Phase II of the four-year CBA signed between TSC and teachers’ unions, including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET). The agreement aims to improve teachers’ earnings progressively while maintaining the existing grading structure.
New Entry-Level Basic Salaries
The revised minimum basic salaries for teachers are as follows:
| Grade | Position | Previous Salary | New Salary | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | Primary Teacher II | KSh 25,028 | KSh 26,225 | KSh 1,197 |
| C1 | Secondary Teacher III / Primary Teacher I | KSh 31,105 | KSh 32,423 | KSh 1,318 |
| C2 | Secondary Teacher II | KSh 39,070 | KSh 41,100 | KSh 2,030 |
| C3 | Secondary Teacher I | KSh 46,699 | KSh 48,754 | KSh 2,055 |
| C4 | Senior Teacher I / Deputy Head Teacher II | KSh 56,922 | KSh 57,667 | KSh 745 |
| C5 | Head Teacher / Senior Master IV | KSh 67,900 | KSh 68,948 | KSh 1,048 |
| D1 | Senior Master III / Deputy Head Teacher I | KSh 79,215 | KSh 80,500 | KSh 1,285 |
| D2 | Deputy Principal II / Head Teacher | KSh 93,190 | KSh 93,883 | KSh 693 |
| D3 | Principal / Deputy Principal I | KSh 106,838 | KSh 107,634 | KSh 796 |
| D4 | Senior Principal | KSh 119,129 | KSh 120,016 | KSh 887 |
| D5 | Chief Principal | KSh 132,365 | KSh 133,351 | KSh 986 |
These figures represent the entry-point basic salaries. Teachers on higher salary points within each grade will receive salaries based on the official TSC conversion tables.
How the Salary Conversion Works
Under the implementation guidelines, teachers will retain their current job grades and designations. Instead of changing grades, they will move to corresponding salary points in the new salary structure.
Teachers whose annual increment date falls on July 1 will first receive their normal annual increment before being converted to the revised salary scale. The changes apply to all teachers in service as of July 1, 2026, except intern teachers.
Government’s Commitment to Teachers’ Welfare
The salary adjustment forms part of the government’s efforts to improve teachers’ welfare through negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements. TSC secured funding to implement the second phase after receiving support from the National Treasury.
Apart from salary improvements, the Commission is expected to continue teacher promotions under the existing career progression framework, addressing concerns over stagnation in various job grades. Thousands of teachers are expected to benefit from future promotion opportunities over the duration of the CBA.
What Teachers Should Expect
Teachers should expect the revised salaries to reflect in the July payroll. Since the new salary scales became effective on July 1, 2026, eligible teachers may also receive salary arrears covering the period before payment, depending on payroll processing timelines.
However, while the basic salary has increased, statutory deductions such as PAYE, pension contributions, Housing Levy deductions, and union subscriptions may also rise because they are based on gross earnings. This means the increase in take-home pay could be slightly lower than the actual increase in basic salary.
Teachers Welcome the New Salaries
The latest salary adjustment has been welcomed by many teachers as another step in implementing the 2025–2029 CBA. Although education stakeholders continue to push for improved allowances, particularly house and hardship allowances, the current implementation focuses mainly on increasing basic salaries across all teaching cadres.
The revised pay structure reflects ongoing collaboration between TSC and teachers’ unions aimed at enhancing teachers’ remuneration while ensuring sustainable implementation over the four-year agreement period.
With the July payroll now reflecting the Phase II salary conversion, thousands of teachers across Kenya are set to begin earning higher monthly salaries, offering some relief amid the rising cost of living and strengthening efforts to improve the welfare of educators nationwide.
