Are you a nurse in Kenya, or are you probably aspiring to be a nurse? As a nurse, understanding how much you earn is essential for your career growth. The amount of money a nurse earns varies widely due to a number of factors, including their Job Groups and the categories they are in. Therefore, this article will walk you through all that you need to know.
Talk of marketable courses in Kenya and definitely Nursing will be among the hotcake courses to study in Kenya. And there is a good reason for that. Nursing is among the few courses in Kenya that are in high demand and offer attractive salaries. Moreover, it gives you a chance to contribute to the growth and service of humanity.
In the Pre-colonial Era and event, a few years after Kenya’s post-independence, the nursing profession was mainly associated with women. However, today, this profession has become even more familiar to men, thus proving its usefulness to society. To be a nurse in Kenya, you must have undergraduate training at any university or college in Kenya and be licensed by the National Council of Kenya. After this, you can get a chance to work in either the public or the private sector and enjoy your salaries.
Nursing Categories
Studies in Kenya can become nurses by undergoing three education levels: This can be either Certificate, Diploma or Bachelors. Upon completion, there are two main Nursing categories recognised by the NCK and Employers.
These are:
Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses in Kenya are also referred to as RN nurses. This category mainly accommodates nurses who have completed a bachelor’s or diploma course, which takes either 3 to 4 years to complete. Areas of specialization for Registered Nurses are:
- Midwifery,
- Mental health Nursing /Psychiatry,
- Pediatrics,
- Critical Care Nursing /Intensive Care Nursing,
- Peri-Operative Nursing /Theatre
Enrolled Nurses
Enrolled Nurses, on the other hand, are Nurses with a Certificate in Nursing only. They are primarily trained in the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and other colleges in Kenya that are approved by the NCK.
Once they finish their course, they can get employed, but they are majorly focused on assisting RNs in the various hospitals they work in. They work under the supervision of Registered nurses.
Nurse Salaries In Kenya
When it comes to how much nurses earn in Kenya, various factors come into play. First, their Job categories play a significant role in focus with the Job Groups they are. Registered Nurses usually tend to earn more in Kenya with a solar scale of Ksh 119,730 per month compared to their counterparts in enrolled who earn up to Ksh 59,644
If you are wondering how the Job Groups arrived, they are mainly based on experience as determined by the NCK and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Registered Nurses have up to 7 Job groups, ranging from lowest H to highest P. Similarly, enrolled Nurses have up to 5 Job Groups, with the lowest being G and the highest being L.
So the thing with RNs and ENs is when you are fresh from college, you will start with the lowest Job Group, and as you gather experience, your Job grows, and so does your monthly salary.
So, down to the figures of earnings below is a table of how much nurses earn in Kenya:
Enrolled Nurses Salary Scale
| Designation | Job Group | Salary Scale (Ksh.) |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled Nurse III | G | 23,369 – 29,826 |
| Enrolled Nurse II | H | 27,052 – 34,527 |
| Enrolled Nurse I | J | 32,061 – 38,893 |
| Senior Enrolled Nurse II | K | 40,326 – 54,067 |
| Senior Enrolled Nurse I | L | 46,683 – 59,644 |
Registered Nurses Salary Scale
| Designation | Job Group | Salary Scale (Ksh.) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse III | H | 39,450 – 44,730 |
| Registered Nurse II | J | 42,850 – 47,630 |
| Registered Nurse I | K | 45,425 – 50,125 |
| Senior Registered Nurse | L | 50,315 – 54,100 |
| Chief Registered Nurse | M | 54,217 – 58,430 |
| Principal Registered Nurse | N | 58,415 – 63,415 |
| Senior Principal Registered Nurse | P | 85,110 – 119,730 |
Nursing Allowance In Kenya
Besides being Angels and helpers in our Hospitals, Nurses are also humans who deserve better pay. On top of their basic salaries, Nurses in Kenya also receive several allowances that add up significantly to their gross pay.
In August 2024, Kenyan Nurses and the government via the Ministry of Health signed a return to work formula. It was agreed that Nurses would receive up to more than Ksh 50,000 in all their total allowances combined
The allowances that Nurses Receive in Kenya are listed in the table below, together with their earnings:
| Job Group | Extraneous | House | Non-practising | Health risk | Call | Commuter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 20,000 | 3,500 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| H | 20,000 | 3,500 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| J | 20,000 | 3,500 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| K | 25,000 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 16,500 |
| L | 25,000 | 4,000 | 10,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 16,500 |
| M | 25,000 | 6,000 | 12,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 16,500 |
| N | 30,000 | 6,000 | 14,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 | 18,000 |
| P | 30,000 | 8,000 | 16,000 | 5,000 | 7,000 | 20,000 |
| Q | 35,000 | 10,000 | 18,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 23,500 |
| R | 35,000 | 12,000 | 20,000 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 23,500 |
| S | 35,000 | 15,000 | 20,000 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 25,000 |
FAQs
What is the salary of Job Group N allowances in Kenya?
A civil servant in Kenya in Job Group N’s basic salaries range from Ksh 48190 to Ksh 65,290 . With the allowance factor, their pay can grow anywhere from Ksh 80,190 to Ksh 97,290
How much does a KMTC nurse earn in Kenya?
KMTC trains nurses in Kenya mainly at the certificate and diploma levels. Certificate nurses are the enrolled nurses who earn a salary of Ksh 23,369 in Job Group G and as high as Ksh 59,644 in Job Group L for the senior enrolled nurses.
What is the nursing service allowance in Kenya?
Its Is Ksh 20,000
How much is a degree paid to a nurse in Kenya?
Degree nurses are registered nurses in Kenya. Upon graduation, they take the lowest role, which is Registered Nurse III in Jo b Group H, with a starting Salary of Ksh 39,450. However, with experience, their salaries can soar as high as Ksh 119,730 for Senior Principal Registered Nurse in Job Group p
How much is a nurse paid in Kenyatta Hospital?
Nurses in Kenyatta Hospital earn anywhere from Ksh 74,000 to Ksh 120,000 per month
Wrapping-Up
Well, there you have it, my friend. Now you know how much you earn in Kenya. Nursing Salaries in Kenya are mainly influenced by their categories and Job Groups. A nurse in Kenya with a certificate, diploma, or bachelor’s Degree will earn anywhere from KES 23,369 to KES 119,730.