Best Paying Jobs in Kenya and their Salaries
Having an idea of some of the best paying careers in Kenya is essential when choosing a career. It is good you compare salaries for different careers. When students are selecting careers, they want to know how much they can expect to earn after they graduate and get employed. However, factors like work experience and academic qualifications determines one’s salary.
Highest Paying jobs in Kenya and Salaries
The following are some of the best paying jobs in Kenya and their respective salaries.
1. Politics
Politics is the highest paying job in Kenya. Considering the level of education required, it is the best paying job. Some of the wealthiest people in Kenya are politicians. Politicians can run for the following positions; presidency, deputy president, Governor, Members of Parliament, Senators, Members or County Assemblies.
The basic salary of a Member of County Assembly is Ksh 120,000 exclusive of other allowances, while Governors earn over Ksh 900,000 per month.
Read also: Highest paying companies in Kenya.
2. Aviation
Aviation is one of the well paying jobs in Kenya. Pilots earn high salaries and hefty allowances. They undergo thorough training before getting employed. The cost of training a private pilot is around Ksh 1.2 million while that of commercial pilot is 2.5 million. The pilot salary in Kenya is 1.2 millions and other allowances.
3. Law
Law is one of the top paying jobs in Kenya and some of those in the field earn over Ksh 2 million per month. Law is a wide field and you can work as a judge, magistrate or a lawyer. To practice in any of these categories, you need to have a Law degree from a recognized university.
You must also take a 3 years diploma course in the Kenya School of Law. Once you pass the bar exams, you can practice Law. You can work for a private company, law firm, a public entity, government or an NGO. Renowned lawyers in Kenya make over Ksh 800,000 per month.
4. Medicine
Medicine is among the most paying jobs in Kenya. To get a job in the medicine field, you need to have a Bachelors degree in Medicine or Pharmacy from a recognized university. Doctors train for 7 years and need to have adequate experience before getting employed.
There are many private and public hospitals that employ doctors while others get employed in NGOs and developed countries. The basic salary of a surgeon in Kenya is at least Ksh 400,000 and other allowances.
Read also: Top marketable courses in Kenya.
5. Engineering
Engineering is a prestigious and among the well paying jobs in Kenya. Engineering is wide and you can work as a Civil, Mechanical, Architectural or Geo spatial engineer. Regardless of which field of Engineering you fall in, it is a well paying career.
With the discovery of oil in Kenya and the construction of roads, there had been an increase in the demand for geo-spatial and civil engineers. On average, an engineer takes home Ksh 400,000 per month.
6. Journalism
Journalism is also among the most paying jobs in Kenya if you land in a good media company. Experienced journalists in Kenya earn over 1 million per month. However, the industry is flooded and you need personal branding to make it to the top, regardless of whether it is a news presenter, hosts and comedians. You need to be a celebrity to make it in journalism.
To make it in the media industry, you need to have a degree in Mass communication or Journalism from a recognized university. Then you need to draw massive viewership. In Citizen TV, a presenter takes how at least Ksh 800,000.
Read more: Highest paid journalists in Kenya.
7. Accounting and Actuary
Finance is also one of the best careers in Kenya. Financial experts are the custodians of financial records of a company. For instance, a company must have an accountant to balance its financial records. Insurance companies employ actuaries to analyze risks uncertainties.
There are very few actuaries and making it to become one is rewarding. To become an actuary, you need to have a degree in Actuarial Science and get a certification from the Society of Actuaries. On the other hand, to become an accountant, you need to have an accounting degree and a certification from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAK).
On average, accountants earn Ksh 100,000 according to a survey by KNBS. Actuaries are very few in Kenya and they take home at least Ksh 300,000 in a month.
8. Lecturing
Lecturing is also among the most paid jobs in Kenya. Although teaching is viewed as one of the least paying jobs, dons take home good salaries. To become a lecture in a University, you need to have at least a Masters.
Those with PhDs are usually in high demand by top universities. University lecturers take home at least Ksh 200,000 in a month.
9. Information Technology
IT is one of the best paying jobs in Kenya. With many companies adopting technology, information technology is increasingly becoming in demand and it is well paying. To work as an IT expert, you need to have a degree in IT from a recognized university. Then you need to demonstrate skills in IT to make it to the top.
10. NGO Employees
NGOs are some of the highest paying institutions regardless of one's position. NGOs get lots of funding and are able to pay their staff well. Salaries for NGO employees are usually high compared to those in the private and public sector.
Read also: Highest paying NGOs in Kenya.
Summary of High Paying Jobs in Kenya
There are many factors that affect one’s salary like work experience, academic qualifications and organization. The above among the most paying jobs in Kenya and salaries. The figures are average estimates and do not reflect salaries across the entire career and by all organizations. It is a rough estimate of what you can expect if you consider factors like experience.
