It’s not uncommon for professionals in Kenya to compare average salaries of various job titles across employing industries. This is to guide them in making the right choices in regards to career moves. In 2017, we saw a drastic rise in the pay of some professions-which were traditionally out of sight– and a slow decline in the pay of other careers. In 2018, here is the outlook of average monthly salaries of various careers in the country.
- Medical Doctors
Medical doctors are among the highest paid professionals in Kenya. In 2017, 93% of hospitals paid doctors above Ksh100, 000, with Karen Hospital paying average of Ksh230, 000
The average pay of doctors in public hospitals is Ksh 153,000 whereas private hospitals pay Ksh 195,000 as the average salary.
- Actuarial Science
To be a qualified actuary, you have to pursue undergraduate degree in actuarial science, statistics, mathematics or any mathematics related program. Upon completion, enroll for actuarial professional certificates. In Kenya, most actuaries pursue their studies from the Society of Actuaries (SOA)
A professional actuary, one with undergraduate qualification and the mandatory actuarial certification earns average pay of Ksh 250,000.
We have established that insurance companies, which are the main employers of actuaries, pay in excess of Ksh300, 000 per month .Actuaries in government institution earn Ksh150,000 to Ksh300,000
- Lawyers
Some lawyers are employed in private law firms, others by the government, others private companies and the rest in NGOs.There are also lawyers who perform private practice. The average salary of lawyers employed by the government is Ksh 150, 000, those employed by private companies pocket Ksh 110,000 while those in private practice earn Ksh 200,000 on average.
- Auditors
More than 60% of auditors in Kenya work for audit companies, particularly the Big Four.KPMG, PWC, Earnest&Young and Deloitte are among the highest paying institutions. The average salary of an auditor in Kenya as of 2018 is Ksh 150,000.Many will wonder how we arrived at this figure. There are companies that pay as little as Ksh25,000,others pay in excess of Ksh 600,000.If you average the salary of lowest paid auditors, moderate pay and the highest pay, you will arrive at Ksh150,000 as the average salary.
- Accountants
Accountants squeeze between the highest and lowest paid professionals in Kenya. Some accountants pocket Ksh20,000 in a good month and others pull in over Ksh 1 million in a bad month. If you take into consideration the amount lowest, medium and highest paid accounts pocket, you will arrive at Ksh 80,000 as the average monthly pay of an accountant in Kenya.
- Journalists
Some journalists earn Ksh2 million, others Ksh 100,000 and the rest below Ksh100, 000.This industry is lucrative, especially for talented Kenyans. If you sum up salaries of employees in local media houses and average the pay, you will discover that the median monthly pay for a journalist in Kenya is Ksh 103,000
- Police officer
A police officer ranks among the lowest paid individual in Kenya. In 2015 we revealed the salaries of police officers in Kenya and from the table, we managed to calculate the median pay. In 2018, the average pay of a police officer in Kenya is Ksh 33,000.
- Teacher
We have teachers who work in international schools, public and private schools. The pay of these individuals varies depending on where they work. International schools’ pay average Ksh 105,000 per month, high school teachers earn Ksh45, 000 as the monthly average pay while primary teachers earn Ksh23, 000 on average.
- Receptionist/Front Office
Receptionist pockets Ksh25, 000 as the average monthly pay.
- Statistician
Statisticians are few in the country but their pay is encouraging. The average pay of these professionals is Ksh 80, 000, where NGOs pay as high as Ksh600,000
- Software Engineer
With the current demand of software engineers, the pay for this group has increased significantly.Currently,the average pay of a software engineer is Ksh250,000
- Nurse
Nurses are prominent but their salary isn’t commensurate with their duties. To be honest, Nurses are the most underpaid professionals in Kenya. As of 2018 the average pay of nurses is Ksh 40,000.It’s surprising that there is not major difference in salaries between public and private hospitals.
- Supermarket cashiers
With the collapse of Nakumatt Supermarket, most employees were left as orphans-Nakumatt used to pay better than other local supermarkets. But it’s a relief for Kenyans after Carrefour launched their activities in Kenya. When we average the pay of cashiers in the retail stores, the average monthly pay comes to Ksh 25,000
- Customer Care Representative
Almost every company employs a customer care representative.Safaricom is one of the biggest employers of customer service professionals. Averaging the pay of Customer Service employees in various institutions, we arrive at Ksh 37,000 as the average monthly pay.
- HR Professionals
We have junior and senior HR professionals. Latest research suggest that human resources officers earn between Ksh 40,000 and Ksh 400,000.The average monthly pay of HR professionals is Ksh 85,000
- Bank teller
We have over 10,000 bank tellers in Kenya. Tellers are among the most overworked professionals in the country…no wonder most of them are diagnosed with depression. Some established banks like Equity pay as little as Ksh35,000 per month while others like City Bank pay as high as Ksh150,000.That aside, the average pay after summing up the pay for the banking sector, we arrive at Ksh50,000 as the median pay for bank tellers
- Sales Personnel
Besides sales managers who earn up to Ksh2 million per month, some individuals in this profession are really underpaid. But going by the figures for the highest, moderate and lowest paid, we arrive at Ksh 63,000 as the median pay for sales personnel
- Electrical and Civil Engineer
Electrical and Civil engineers earn almost the same pay. The two courses were hot cake in less than a decade ago but over time, their taste has almost become sour. The monthly median pay for civil and electrical engineers is Ksh 130,000
- Pharmacist
Pharmacist earn as high as Ksh400,000 and as low as Ksh 70,000 but their average pay is fairly good.In 2018,they will pocket Ksh 140,000 on average.
- Pilot
Pilots earn between Ksh200,000 and Ksh2.8 million. Considering the lowest and highest paid, their median monthly pay comes to Ksh 300,000
- Air Hostess
Unlike pilots who are eating life with a big spoon, air hostess take home peanuts. The monthly average pay of an air hostess in Kenya is Ksh65, 000
- Driver
Drivers are in the category of average Kenyans. Regardless of where one earns, his salary won’t cross Ksh150, 000.In 2018 the average pay of a driver in Kenya is Ksh30,000.
- Waiter/Waitress
Waiters/Waitress work in restaurants and pubs.The pay depends on the institution one works for and the location. Taking into consideration location, work experience, institution and other factors that contribute to the pay of a waiter/waitress, we arrived at Ksh 20,000 as the median pay for this class of employees.
