A teacher salary structure showing the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) basic salaries from Grade B5 to D5, allegedly effective from 1 July 2026, is circulating online, giving teachers a breakdown of the monthly basic pay attached to different teaching grades.
The document lists basic monthly salaries ranging from KSh28,620 for Grade B5 to KSh164,973 for Grade D5. It also links various TSC job grades to common positions such as Primary Teacher II, Secondary Teacher I, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, Principal and Chief Principal.
However, teachers should exercise caution when relying on the image. The salary table shown in the image is not, by itself, proof of an official TSC circular or gazetted salary structure. The figures below are therefore presented as the contents of the circulated image, rather than independently verified TSC figures.
The document also specifically states that the amounts are basic salaries per month before deductions and allowances.
TSC teacher salary structure effective July 2026
According to the circulating salary table, the new structure covers TSC grades B5, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5.
The figures shown are as follows:
| TSC Grade | T-Scale | Common Positions | Basic Salary per Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 5 | Primary Teacher II | KSh28,620 – KSh37,100 |
| C1 | 6 | Primary Teacher I; Secondary Teacher III | KSh35,336 – KSh47,261 |
| C2 | 7 | Secondary Teacher II; Senior Teacher II | KSh41,100 – KSh50,287 |
| C3 | 8 | Secondary Teacher I; Senior Teacher I | KSh48,754 – KSh62,659 |
| C4 | 9 | Senior Master IV; Deputy Headteacher II | KSh57,667 – KSh72,988 |
| C5 | 10 | Headteacher; Senior Master III; Deputy Headteacher I | KSh68,948 – KSh82,160 |
| D1 | 11 | Senior Headteacher; Senior Master II | KSh80,500 – KSh97,827 |
| D2 | 12 | Deputy Principal II; Senior Master I | KSh93,883 – KSh114,322 |
| D3 | 13 | Principal; Deputy Principal I | KSh107,634 – KSh131,405 |
| D4 | 14 | Senior Principal | KSh120,016 – KSh148,480 |
| D5 | 15 | Chief Principal | KSh133,251 – KSh164,973 |
B5 salary: Primary Teacher II
At the bottom of the TSC grading structure shown in the document is Grade B5, corresponding to T-Scale 5.
The table associates B5 with the position of Primary Teacher II.
The basic salary is listed at between KSh28,620 and KSh37,100 per month.
This is the basic salary figure before statutory deductions and before applicable allowances are added.
C1 salary: Primary Teacher I and Secondary Teacher III
Teachers in Grade C1, or T-Scale 6, are listed as Primary Teacher I and Secondary Teacher III.
The circulating document gives a basic salary range of:
KSh35,336 to KSh47,261 per month.
The actual amount received by an individual teacher would depend on their salary point and applicable employment terms.
C2 salary: Secondary Teacher II
The next grade is C2, corresponding to T-Scale 7.
The document associates C2 with:
- Secondary Teacher II
- Senior Teacher II
The indicated basic salary range is KSh41,100 to KSh50,287 per month.
This means the maximum basic salary shown for C2 is about KSh9,187 higher than the minimum listed for the grade.
C3 salary: Secondary Teacher I
Grade C3, or T-Scale 8, is associated with Secondary Teacher I and Senior Teacher I.
The salary range shown is:
KSh48,754 – KSh62,659 per month.
C3 is therefore one of the grades that many secondary school teachers may closely follow, particularly when considering career progression within the TSC grading structure.
C4 salary: Senior Master IV and Deputy Headteacher II
The table places C4 at T-Scale 9.
The positions listed under the grade are:
- Senior Master IV
- Deputy Headteacher II
The basic monthly salary is shown as KSh57,667 to KSh72,988.
The figures represent basic pay only and do not include allowances that may apply depending on the teacher’s station, responsibility or other employment conditions.
C5 salary: Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher I
The circulating structure places C5 at T-Scale 10.
It lists the following positions:
- Headteacher
- Senior Master III
- Deputy Headteacher I
The indicated basic salary is KSh68,948 to KSh82,160 per month.
This grade is particularly important because it covers several leadership positions in schools.
D1 salary: Senior Headteacher and Senior Master II
Teachers in D1, corresponding to T-Scale 11, are shown as earning a basic monthly salary of between:
KSh80,500 and KSh97,827.
The positions listed include:
- Senior Headteacher
- Senior Master II
The maximum basic salary in the displayed D1 range is therefore almost KSh100,000 per month, before allowances and deductions.
D2 salary: Deputy Principal II and Senior Master I
Grade D2, or T-Scale 12, is associated with:
- Deputy Principal II
- Senior Master I
The basic salary range shown is KSh93,883 – KSh114,322 per month.
The table therefore places the maximum basic salary above KSh114,000 at this grade.
D3 salary: Principal and Deputy Principal I
At D3/T-Scale 13, the listed positions are:
- Principal
- Deputy Principal I
The salary range shown is KSh107,634 to KSh131,405 per month.
This represents a substantial increase in basic pay compared with the lower teaching grades, although progression to leadership positions also involves additional responsibilities.
D4 salary: Senior Principal
The document lists Senior Principal under D4/T-Scale 14.
The basic salary range shown is:
KSh120,016 – KSh148,480 per month.
The upper end of the displayed range is therefore nearly KSh150,000 in basic monthly salary.
D5 salary: Chief Principal
At the top of the salary table is Grade D5, corresponding to T-Scale 15.
The position listed is Chief Principal.
The image indicates a basic salary range of:
KSh133,251 – KSh164,973 per month.
This is the highest salary range displayed in the circulated table.
TSC salary progression from B5 to D5
The figures show a broad progression in basic salary as teachers move from lower grades to senior teaching and administrative positions.
| Grade | Minimum Basic Pay | Maximum Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| B5 | KSh28,620 | KSh37,100 |
| C1 | KSh35,336 | KSh47,261 |
| C2 | KSh41,100 | KSh50,287 |
| C3 | KSh48,754 | KSh62,659 |
| C4 | KSh57,667 | KSh72,988 |
| C5 | KSh68,948 | KSh82,160 |
| D1 | KSh80,500 | KSh97,827 |
| D2 | KSh93,883 | KSh114,322 |
| D3 | KSh107,634 | KSh131,405 |
| D4 | KSh120,016 | KSh148,480 |
| D5 | KSh133,251 | KSh164,973 |
The difference between the lowest minimum shown, KSh28,620, and the highest maximum shown, KSh164,973, is KSh136,353 per month.
Basic salary is not the same as take-home pay
Teachers should also distinguish between basic salary, gross salary and net salary.
The amounts displayed in the image are explicitly described as basic salary. A teacher’s actual monthly payslip can therefore differ considerably after allowances and statutory or other authorised deductions are taken into account.
Depending on the teacher and station, the overall remuneration package can include applicable allowances, while deductions may include taxes, pension-related contributions, insurance or other authorised deductions.
Consequently, a teacher should not interpret the figures in the table as the exact amount that will be deposited into their bank account.
What the July 2026 date means
The document carries the heading “TSC Teacher Salary Structure in Kenya (Effective 1 July 2026)”.
That date is significant because it suggests that the figures are intended to represent salaries applicable from July 2026. However, because the information is circulating as an image, teachers should confirm the figures against an official TSC communication, circular, payroll information or other authoritative government source before making financial decisions based on them.
Social media salary charts can sometimes combine genuine information with outdated, incomplete or unofficial figures.
Bottom line for teachers
The salary structure circulating online places TSC teachers across grades B5 to D5, with the displayed basic monthly salary increasing progressively through the T-Scale system.
Under the figures shown, the range starts at KSh28,620–KSh37,100 for B5 and rises to KSh133,251–KSh164,973 for D5.
The structure also illustrates the progression from classroom teaching positions into senior teaching and school leadership roles, including senior masters, deputy headteachers, headteachers, deputy principals and principals.
