Job Groups and Salary Scale in Kenya (UPDATED)

Many people desire to secure jobs with the Government of Kenya, also known as the Public Service Commission jobs. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is in charge of setting and reviewing the remuneration of public servants in the country. The SRC has classified various job groups in Kenya, each with a different compensation package.

Different job groups in Kenya have different entry requirements and earning brackets. Normally, a public servant gets a basic salary, house allowance, and commuter allowance. Other allowances may apply, depending on the assigned duties.

Job groups in Kenya (SRC salaries)

Job groups are classes linked by a common objective, skill set, education, or certification requirement. There are multiple job groups in Kenya in 2024, each with a unique pay grade or bracket.

Job groups in Kenya and their salaries in 2024 (KES 13,280 - 166,780)

Below is a look at the various job groups classified by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and their basic monthly pay. Note that this is the minimum basic pay per month, and the SRC has the power to review the amount.

Also note that the county government job groups and salaries are similar to those issued by the national government through the Public Service Commission, at least for the basic salaries. Allowances may differ.

Group	Basic monthly salary in KES
A (CPSB 18)	13,280
B (CPSB 17)	13,530
C (CPSB 16)	13,830
D (CPSB 15)	14,610
E (CPSB 14)	15,670
F (CPSB 13)	16,890
G (CPSB 12)	22,270
H (CPSB 11)	25,470
J (CPSB 10)	31,270
K (CPSB 9)	38,270
L (CPSB 8)	42,970
M (CPSB 7)	49,000
N (CPSB 6)	56,370
P (CPSB 5)	87,360
Q (CPSB 4)	99,900
R (CPSB 3)	121,430
S (CPSB 2)	133,870
T (CPSB 1)	169,140

Every year (a new year is marked on the exact day you were employed), the SRC gives public servants a raise in the basic salary as long as the amount remains within the job group bracket.

This means that a newly employed graduate in Job Group K will have a basic salary of KES 38,270, while one who has been working in the same group for three years will have a slightly higher basic salary.

Once again, note that the SRC regulates county government salary structure in Kenya, as it does public servants in the national government. As a result, the payment between the two groups is roughly similar.

House allowance (KES 2,250- 80,000)

According to the set job groups and salaries in Kenya, all civil servants are entitled to a house allowance. This amount is provided every month to compensate for the cost of housing in a particular area. The amount varies depending on location, as explored below.

Cluster 1: This covers civil servants working in Nairobi. The rates in Nairobi are higher than in other locations because the cost of living is considerably higher than in other cities and towns.
Cluster 2: This covers civil servants working in the county headquarters of Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kwale, Kilifi, and Naivasha.
Cluster 3: This covers civil servants working in the county headquarters of Nyeri, Machakos, Eldoret, Kericho, Kisii, Kakamega, Lodwar, Embu, Nanyuki, and Garissa
Cluster 4: This covers all other parts of the country not included in clusters 1, 2, and 3.

Hardship allowance (KES2,800 - 60,000)

There are multiple job groups and salaries in Kenya in 2023, but not all are entitled to hardship allowances. Hardship allowances offer compensation for the cost of living in areas classified as hardship zones.

Initially, this allowance was a certain percentage of the basic salary. That has been revised to a flat rate across all civil servants in the same cluster.

Group	Monthly hardship allowance (KES)
A (CPSB 18)	2,800
B (CPSB 17)	3,000
C (CPSB 16)	3,000
D (CPSB 15)	3,300
E (CPSB 14)	3,700
F (CPSB 13)	4,300
G (CPSB 12)	5,700
H (CPSB 11)	6,600
J (CPSB 10)	8,200
K (CPSB 9)	10,900
L (CPSB 8)	12,300
M (CPSB 7)	14,650
N (CPSB 6)	17,100
P (CPSB 5)	27,300
Q (CPSB 4)	31,500
R (CPSB 3)	38,100
S (CPSB 2)	45,000
T (CPSB 1)	60,000

Per diem rates in 2024 (KES 3,000 - 22,000 daily for local travel)

The per diem rates in Kenya for civil servants were reviewed and effected in February 2022. The clusters are explored below.

This money is issued to people sent on duties away from their regular stations. It covers daily expenses, so it is also called the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA).

Cluster 1: This covers Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru. i.e., the amount provided when civil servants travel to Kenyan cities for work-related reasons.
Cluster 2: This covers all county headquarters, Malindi, and Naivasha.
Cluster 3: This covers all other parts of the country except those listed in clusters 1 and 2.

Group	State officer grades	Cluster 1 (in KES)	Cluster 2 (in KES)	Cluster 3 (in KES)
A-E	-	4,200	3,500	3,000
F-J	-	6,300	4,900	4,200
K-N	D4	11,200	8,400	7,000
P-R	E2, E1, D5	14,000	10,500	8,400
S-T	E3, E4	16,800	12,600	10,500
U-V	F1, F2, E5	18,200	14,600	12,500
-	F4	22,000	18,000	14,000

NB: Per diem or DSA is only issued to people who travel for work-related reasons. The amount is given to cover expenses for one day.

Other allowances

All public servants in Kenya are entitled to a leave allowance, which is issued once a year, usually at the end of the year. They are also entitled to a monthly commuter allowance of between KES 3,000 and 25,000, depending on the job group.

Abled-differently persons also get a disability allowance, and those working in special institutions are also entitled to a special allowance.

The monthly disability allowance is KES 20,000 for people with hearing or visual impairment and those with physical disability. Abled-differently persons registered with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) are also tax-exempt.