What is the average salary of workers in Kenya in 2026? About KSh 82,350 a month, based on the latest official wage data by KNBS, but that number only tells part of the story. A finance professional, software engineer, teacher, salesperson and hospitality worker can earn dramatically different salaries, even with similar years of experience.

The latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data puts the average annual salary at KSh 988,200, while current job listings show how much salaries can vary by role, industry and experience. In this guide, we break down average salaries in Kenya by industry, compare private and public-sector pay, look at the 2026 minimum wage, and use current MyJobMag listings to show what employers are actually offering for selected roles.

 

Average Salary in Kenya 2026: Key Takeaways

The latest data gives a much clearer picture of the Kenyan labour market:

• KSh 82,350 per month is the approximate overall average based on the latest KNBS annual earnings data.

• The private-sector average is approximately KSh 86,872 per month.

• The public-sector average is approximately KSh 72,856 per month.

• Financial services, energy, transport, professional services and ICT are among the stronger-paying areas of the formal economy.

• Agriculture, hospitality, real estate and some lower-skilled service activities have considerably lower formal-sector averages.

• Private-sector wage growth was substantially stronger than public-sector wage growth in 2025.

• Kenya's 2026 minimum wage changed on May 1, with the lowest general-labourer rate in the major cities rising to KSh 18,047.40 per month, excluding housing allowance.

• Current 2026 job adverts show that individual salaries can differ substantially from industry averages.

Most importantly, the KSh 82,350 national average is useful as a benchmark, but a meaningful salary comparison should consider the specific occupation, experience level, industry, location and whether the figure is gross or net pay.

 

What is the average salary in Kenya in 2026?

The latest official data shows that the average annual salary per employee in Kenya was KSh 988,200 in 2025, equivalent to approximately KSh 82,350 per month.

Salaries were higher in the private sector, at KSh 1,042,467 per year (about KSh 86,872 per month), compared with KSh 874,273 in the public sector (about KSh 72,856 per month).

The figures cover employees in Kenya's modern/wage employment sector rather than everyone earning an income in the country. KNBS recorded total wage employment of about 3.315 million people in 2025.

Salary measure	Annual average	Approx. monthly average
All sectors	KSh 988,200	KSh 82,350
Private sector	KSh 1,042,467	KSh 86,872
Public sector	KSh 874,273	KSh 72,856

The overall average increased by 5.9% from 2024, while private-sector earnings increased by 7.9% and public-sector earnings by 1.5%.

Source: KNBS Economic Survey 2026 

 

Average Salary in Kenya by Industry

The biggest difference in Kenyan salaries appears when earnings are examined by industry. Some sectors have average annual earnings of more than KSh 2 million, while others remain below KSh 500,000.

The following figures are from KNBS Table 3.7 of the 2026 Economic Survey. Monthly figures are calculated by dividing the official annual figure by 12.

Industry	Average annual earnings	Approx. monthly earnings
Extraterritorial organisations and bodies	KSh 4,468,785	KSh 372,399
Accommodation & food services – public sector	KSh 3,041,690	KSh 253,474
Electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning – private	KSh 2,619,109	KSh 218,259
Financial & insurance – private	KSh 2,618,182	KSh 218,182
Transportation & storage – public	KSh 2,652,302	KSh 221,025
Financial & insurance – public	KSh 2,357,099	KSh 196,425
Professional, scientific & technical – private	KSh 2,001,084	KSh 166,757
Administrative & support services – private	KSh 1,990,535	KSh 165,878
Transportation & storage – private	KSh 1,751,913	KSh 145,993
Human health & social work – public	KSh 1,879,755	KSh 156,646
Information & communication – private	KSh 1,438,060	KSh 119,838
Education – private	KSh 1,135,297	KSh 94,608
Wholesale & retail – private	KSh 1,134,834	KSh 94,570
Construction – private	KSh 907,956	KSh 75,663
Manufacturing – private	KSh 874,301	KSh 72,858
Mining & quarrying – private	KSh 837,493	KSh 69,791
Accommodation & food services – private	KSh 498,642	KSh 41,554
Agriculture, forestry & fishing – private	KSh 434,638	KSh 36,220
Real estate – private	KSh 373,283	KSh 31,107
Water, sewerage & waste management – private	KSh 361,106	KSh 30,092

The public/private designation is important because earnings can differ substantially within the same industry.

Source: KNBS Economic Survey 2026, Table 3.7.

 

1. Technology and ICT salaries in Kenya

The information and communication sector is one of Kenya's better-paying private-sector industries. KNBS puts average private-sector earnings in information and communication at KSh 1,438,060 annually, or approximately KSh 119,838 per month.

The sector's average earnings increased 5.4% between 2024 and 2025, while wage employment remained relatively stable during the year. However, actual technology salaries vary significantly by role and experience.

Recent 2026 MyJobMag listings illustrate this spread:

• Junior Software Engineer: KSh 60,000–90,000 per month.

• Full-Stack Developer: KSh 100,000–150,000 per month.

• IT Manager: KSh 100,000 gross per month.

This means a technology professional should not treat the sector-wide average as the expected salary for every ICT job.

 

2. Banking and financial services salaries in Kenya

Financial services remain among Kenya's highest-paying major industries. In the private sector, employees in financial and insurance activities earned an average of KSh 2,618,182 annually, equivalent to approximately KSh 218,182 per month.

Public-sector employees in the same industry averaged KSh 2,357,099 annually, or approximately KSh 196,425 per month.

The private financial and insurance sector also recorded a 10.1% increase in average earnings between 2024 and 2025, one of the strongest year-on-year increases among major private industries.

This category includes banking, insurance and other financial activities, so individual salaries for roles such as accountants, relationship managers, risk professionals, investment professionals and finance managers can differ considerably.

For example, a September 2026 MyJobMag listing for a Finance Manager/Accountant offered KSh 150,000–200,000 per month.

 

3. Professional, scientific and technical services

Private-sector employees in professional, scientific and technical activities earned an average of KSh 2,001,084 per year, or about KSh 166,757 per month.

This is significant because the industry recorded the largest five-year increase in average private-sector earnings, with earnings rising 36.9% between 2020 and 2025. Its year-on-year increase from 2024 to 2025 was also 11.0%.

The category covers a broad range of professional services, so salaries can differ significantly according to qualification, specialisation and seniority.

 

4. Human resources and administrative services

Administrative and support service activities recorded average private-sector earnings of KSh 1,990,535 per year, approximately KSh 165,878 per month.

However, individual HR and administrative positions can pay substantially less than the industry average because the category includes both highly skilled and lower-paid support occupations.

For example, a September 2026 MyJobMag listing for an HR Assistant offered KSh 30,000–50,000 per month, while a current HR Manager listing offered KSh 120,000 gross per month.

This is a good example of why industry averages should not be interpreted as typical salaries for every job title.

Learn How to Negotiate Your Salary Like a Pro Here.

 

5. Education salaries in Kenya

Education is one of Kenya's largest formal employment sectors. Private-sector employees in education earned an average of KSh 1,135,297 annually, or about KSh 94,608 per month, according to KNBS.

Public-sector education earnings were lower at KSh 731,648 annually, equivalent to about KSh 60,971 per month when measured across the entire public-sector education category.

The sector is also a major source of formal employment. Public-sector education employment increased by 3.9% in 2025.

Actual teaching salaries vary substantially according to school type, qualifications, teaching level and employer. For example, a 2026 MyJobMag listing for a part-time early-childhood teacher in Nairobi advertised KSh 16,000–30,000 per month.

 

6. Healthcare salaries in Kenya

Healthcare is another relatively well-paid sector, particularly for specialised professionals. Private-sector employees in human health and social work activities earned an average of KSh 1,394,432 annually, approximately KSh 116,203 per month.

The public-sector average was considerably higher at KSh 1,879,755 annually, equivalent to approximately KSh 156,646 per month.

The difference partly reflects the composition of employment in the two sectors and should not be interpreted as meaning that every public-sector healthcare worker earns more than every private-sector worker. The sector also recorded 5.5% growth in public-sector wage employment in 2025.

 

7. Manufacturing salaries in Kenya

Manufacturing remains an important source of formal employment in Kenya, with private-sector wage employment increasing 5.6% in 2025.

Average private-sector manufacturing earnings were KSh 874,301 per year, equivalent to approximately KSh 72,858 per month. In contrast, average public-sector manufacturing earnings were higher at KSh 1,158,921 per year, or about KSh 96,577 per month.

The private manufacturing average increased by 22.6% between 2020 and 2025, although the increase between 2024 and 2025 was much smaller at 2.8%.

 

8. Construction salaries in Kenya

Private-sector construction workers earned an average of KSh 907,956 per year, translating to approximately KSh 75,663 per month.

Public-sector construction employees averaged KSh 956,705 annually, or approximately KSh 79,725 monthly.

Construction was one of Kenya's faster-growing parts of the economy in 2025. KNBS reports that construction output rebounded from a contraction in 2024 to 6.8% growth in 2025.

Current MyJobMag listings also show the wide range within the sector: a construction storekeeper position in Kiambu advertised KSh 16,000–30,000, while more specialised roles can command considerably more.

 

9. Sales, retail and wholesale salaries

The private wholesale and retail sector recorded average earnings of KSh 1,134,834 annually, approximately KSh 94,570 per month. Public-sector earnings in the same industry averaged KSh 1,310,680 annually, or approximately KSh 109,223 monthly.

Private-sector earnings in wholesale and retail increased 6.9% between 2024 and 2025, one of the stronger annual increases among major industries.

Actual sales salaries are highly dependent on whether the position includes commissions, bonuses or sales targets. For example, a 2026 MyJobMag listing for a heavy-equipment sales representative offered KSh 50,000–100,000 per month.

 

10. Transport and logistics salaries

Transportation and storage is another relatively high-paying industry. Private-sector employees earned an average of KSh 1,751,913 per year, equivalent to approximately KSh 145,993 per month.

The public-sector figure was even higher at KSh 2,652,302 annually, or approximately KSh 221,025 per month. Private-sector earnings in transportation increased 1.1% in 2025, while public-sector earnings increased 1.5%.

 

11. Agriculture salaries in Kenya

Agriculture remains one of the lower-paying formal wage sectors. Private-sector employees in agriculture, forestry and fishing earned an average of KSh 434,638 annually, approximately KSh 36,220 per month.

Public-sector agricultural employees averaged KSh 579,685 annually, or about KSh 48,307 per month.

The relatively low formal-sector average does not mean agriculture is necessarily low-income for every worker or business owner. KNBS's wage data specifically measures wage employment, rather than the income of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs generally.

 

12. Hospitality and food service salaries

Accommodation and food services remain among the lower-paying private-sector industries. The private-sector average was KSh 498,642 annually, equivalent to approximately KSh 41,554 per month.

The corresponding public-sector figure was KSh 3,041,690 annually, or about KSh 253,474 per month.

The large difference between the public and private figures is a reminder that industry-wide averages can be heavily affected by the types of employees included in each category.

Hospitality employment itself grew strongly over the longer term: KNBS reports a 109.3% increase in private-sector wage employment between 2020 and 2025, although employment was almost flat in 2025.

 

13. Real estate salaries

Private-sector real estate employees earned an average of KSh 373,283 annually, approximately KSh 31,107 per month. This is one of the lowest formal-sector industry averages in the KNBS dataset.

However, real estate is difficult to interpret using a single salary figure because many positions involve commissions, incentives or performance-based income. A property salesperson's total earnings, for example, may be substantially different from their fixed salary.

 

14. Energy and utilities salaries

Energy is one of Kenya's highest-paying sectors. Private-sector employees in electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply earned an average of KSh 2,619,109 annually, equivalent to approximately KSh 218,259 per month.

In contrast, public-sector employees averaged KSh 1,616,669 annually, or approximately KSh 134,722 per month. Private-sector energy earnings increased 6.3% between 2024 and 2025.

 

Private vs Public Sector Salaries in Kenya

The latest KNBS data shows a clear difference between average private- and public-sector earnings.

Sector	2025 annual average	Approx. monthly
Private sector	KSh 1,042,467	KSh 86,872
Public sector	KSh 874,273	KSh 72,856
Overall	KSh 988,200	KSh 82,350

Private-sector average earnings were therefore approximately KSh 12,600 higher per month than the public-sector average. The gap also widened in 2025 because private-sector earnings grew by 7.9%, compared with only 1.5% in the public sector.

 

What is the minimum salary in Kenya in 2026?

Kenya does not have one single minimum wage for every worker. Minimum wages vary according to occupation and geographical area.

The Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order 2026 took effect from 1 May 2026. For example, the basic monthly minimum wage for a general labourer, cleaner, sweeper, gardener, domestic worker, day watchman or messenger is:

Location	2026 basic minimum monthly wage
Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru & Eldoret	KSh 18,047.40
Former municipalities and Mavoko, Ruiru & Limuru	KSh 16,650.95
Other areas	KSh 9,268.07

These figures are basic minimum wages and exclude housing allowance. The 2026 increase was 12% for general wages and 15% for agricultural wages.

 

Are Kenyan salaries keeping up with inflation?

This is one of the most important points when looking at salary data. A nominal salary increase does not necessarily mean that workers are better off financially.

KNBS estimates that real average wage earnings, which adjust earnings for inflation, rose from approximately KSh 665,400 in 2024 to KSh 678,800 in 2025. However, the picture differed by sector:

• Private-sector real earnings: about KSh 716,100 in 2025.

• Public-sector real earnings: about KSh 600,600 in 2025.

This means private-sector earnings increased faster in real terms, while public-sector purchasing power declined.

 

What are the highest-paying industries in Kenya?

Based on the latest official KNBS earnings data, the industries with the highest average earnings (annually) include:

1. Extraterritorial organisations and bodies: KSh 4.47 million annually

2. Electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply: KSh 2.62 million in the private sector

3. Financial and insurance activities: KSh 2.62 million in the private sector

4. Transportation and storage: KSh 2.65 million in the public sector

5. Professional, scientific and technical activities: KSh 2.00 million in the private sector

6. Administrative and support services: KSh 1.99 million in the private sector

7. Human health and social work: KSh 1.88 million in the public sector

8. Information and communication: KSh 1.44 million in the private sector.

Note that these are industry averages, not salary ranges for individual jobs. An entry-level employee in a high-paying industry can earn substantially less than the industry average.

 

What do Current 2026 Job Adverts Show?

Official KNBS statistics provide the strongest economy-wide benchmark, but current job adverts show what employers are actually offering for particular positions. Recent MyJobMag Kenya listings illustrate the range:

Role	Current advertised monthly salary
Junior Software Engineer	KSh 60,000–90,000
Full-Stack Developer	KSh 100,000–150,000
IT Manager	KSh 100,000
Finance Manager/Accountant	KSh 150,000–200,000
Marketing Manager	KSh 150,000–200,000
HR Assistant	KSh 30,000–50,000
Accountant Intern	KSh 20,000
ECD Teacher, part-time	KSh 16,000–30,000
Heavy Equipment Sales Representative	KSh 50,000–100,000

These listings also demonstrate why job title, experience, specialisation, location and employer type matter when evaluating whether a salary is competitive.

For example, a KSh 100,000 IT Manager salary cannot be compared directly with the KSh 82,350 national average because the latter includes workers across dozens of occupations and industries.

 

Sources and Methodology

The primary source for the industry-level analysis is the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2026, particularly Tables 3.7–3.9. The survey was released in April 2026 and reports economic and employment developments for 2025.

Current job-market examples were drawn from MyJobMag Kenya's 2026 job listings, including advertised salaries where employers disclosed them.

The statutory minimum-wage section uses Kenya's 2026 wage regulations and contemporary reporting on the May 2026 increase.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Salaries in Kenya in 2026

 

What is the average salary in Kenya in 2026?

The average salary in Kenya is KSh 988,200 annually, equivalent to approximately KSh 82,350 per month. This is the latest full-year official benchmark available in 2026 and is based on 2025 earnings data.

 

What is the average salary in Kenya per month?

The average monthly salary is approximately KSh 82,350 based on the latest KNBS annual earnings data. Private-sector employees averaged about KSh 86,872 per month, while public-sector employees averaged approximately KSh 72,856.

 

Which industry pays the highest salaries in Kenya?

Based on the latest KNBS data, extraterritorial organisations and bodies recorded the highest average earnings at about KSh 372,399 per month. Among major private-sector industries, electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply and financial and insurance activities were among the highest-paying, with average monthly earnings of about KSh 218,000.

 

How much do workers in the ICT sector earn in Kenya?

Workers in the private ICT sector earn an average of approximately KSh 119,838 per month. However, salaries vary considerably depending on the role, experience and technical skills. Current MyJobMag listings, for example, show software engineering roles ranging from about KSh 60,000 to KSh 150,000 per month.

 

How much do bank employees earn in Kenya?

Employees in private financial and insurance activities earn an average of approximately KSh 218,182 per month according to the latest KNBS data. Individual banking salaries vary by role, with positions in management, risk, investment, technology and specialised finance generally having different salary levels.

 

Does the private sector pay more than the public sector in Kenya?

Yes, based on the latest KNBS economy-wide wage data. Average private-sector earnings were approximately KSh 86,872 per month, compared with KSh 72,856 per month in the public sector.

 

What is the minimum salary in Kenya in 2026?

Kenya's minimum wage depends on the occupation and location. From May 1, 2026, the minimum monthly wage for a general labourer in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret is KSh 18,047.40, excluding housing allowance.

 

How much do teachers earn in Kenya?

Private-sector employees in education earn an average of approximately KSh 94,608 per month according to KNBS. Public-sector education averaged about KSh 60,971 per month across the sector. Actual teacher salaries depend heavily on qualifications, teaching level, employer and experience.

 

How much do healthcare workers earn in Kenya?

Health workers earn approximately KSh 116,203 per month in the private sector and KSh 156,646 per month in the public sector. Salaries vary significantly between healthcare occupations and levels of specialisation.

 

What is a good salary in Kenya in 2026?

There is no single salary that can be classified as "good" for everyone. A useful comparison depends on occupation, experience, location, industry, benefits and living costs.