How much can you earn as a skilled immigrant in Kenya? Below we compare estimated net monthly salaries across 50 professions, sorted by earning potential. The highest-paying role is Doctor at €812/month. The cost of living for a single person starts from €292/month in Kisumu.
Salary Table: All Professions
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly (EUR) | Recognition Required | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor | 5.4/10 | €812 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Doctors. |
| Doctor | 5.1/10 | €800 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Doctors. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Dentist | 5.4/10 | €738 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Dentists. |
| AI Engineer | 5.6/10 | €720 | No | Consider alternatives for AI Engineers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Dentist | 4.9/10 | €720 | Yes | Challenging destination for Dentists. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Data Analyst | 6.0/10 | €664 | No | Viable option for Data Analysts. |
| Software Engineer | 5.6/10 | €640 | No | Consider alternatives for Software Engineers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | 5.1/10 | €600 | No | Consider alternatives for Cybersecurity Specialists. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Software Engineer | 6.0/10 | €590 | No | Viable option for Software Engineers. |
| Civil Engineer | 5.6/10 | €590 | No | Viable option for Civil Engineers. |
| Lawyer | 5.4/10 | €590 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Lawyers. |
| Financial Analyst | 4.7/10 | €560 | No | Challenging destination for Financial Analysts. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Mechanical Engineer | 5.4/10 | €553 | No | Consider alternatives for Mechanical Engineers. |
| Project Manager | 5.6/10 | €553 | No | Viable option for Project Managers. |
| Financial Analyst | 5.6/10 | €553 | No | Viable option for Financial Analysts. |
| Pharmacist | 4.9/10 | €520 | Yes | Challenging destination for Pharmacists. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Mechanical Engineer | 5.1/10 | €520 | No | Consider alternatives for Mechanical Engineers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| UX Designer | 4.9/10 | €520 | No | Challenging destination for UX Designers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Marketing Manager | 5.5/10 | €516 | No | Viable option for Marketing Managers. |
| Civil Engineer | 5.1/10 | €500 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Civil Engineers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Data Analyst | 4.9/10 | €480 | No | Challenging destination for Data Analysts. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Architect | 4.9/10 | €480 | Yes | Challenging destination for Architects. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Logistics Manager | 5.2/10 | €479 | No | Consider alternatives for Logistics Managers. |
| Accountant | 5.5/10 | €443 | Yes | Viable option for Accountants. |
| Architect | 5.5/10 | €443 | Yes | Viable option for Architects. |
| HR Manager | 5.2/10 | €443 | No | Consider alternatives for HR Managers. |
| Hotel Manager | 5.1/10 | €440 | No | Consider alternatives for Hotel Managers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Accountant | 4.7/10 | €440 | Yes | Challenging destination for Accountants. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Digital Marketer | 4.7/10 | €440 | No | Challenging destination for Digital Marketers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Pharmacist | 5.2/10 | €406 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Pharmacists. |
| Researcher | 5.2/10 | €406 | No | Consider alternatives for Researchers. |
| Graphic Designer | 5.2/10 | €369 | No | Consider alternatives for Graphic Designers. |
| Environmental Scientist | 5.2/10 | €369 | No | Consider alternatives for Environmental Scientists. |
| Electrician | 4.4/10 | €360 | No | Challenging destination for Electricians. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Graphic Designer | 4.7/10 | €360 | No | Challenging destination for Graphic Designers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Nurse | 4.7/10 | €340 | Yes | Challenging destination for Nurses. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Plumber | 4.4/10 | €340 | No | Challenging destination for Plumbers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Physiotherapist | 5.2/10 | €332 | No | Consider alternatives for Physiotherapists. |
| Teacher | 4.4/10 | €320 | Yes | Challenging destination for Teachers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Welder | 4.4/10 | €300 | No | Challenging destination for Welders. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Nurse | 5.2/10 | €295 | Yes | Consider alternatives for Nurses. |
| Truck Driver | 4.2/10 | €280 | No | Challenging destination for Truck Drivers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Chef | 4.7/10 | €280 | No | Challenging destination for Chefs. Strengths: affordable cost of living. |
| Teacher | 5.2/10 | €265 | No | Consider alternatives for Teachers. |
| Electrician | 5.2/10 | €265 | No | Consider alternatives for Electricians. |
| Construction Worker | 4.2/10 | €260 | No | Challenging destination for Construction Workers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Social Worker | 5.2/10 | €239 | No | Consider alternatives for Social Workers. |
| Chef | 5.2/10 | €221 | No | Consider alternatives for Chefs. |
| Caregiver | 4.2/10 | €220 | No | Challenging destination for Caregivers. Strengths: affordable cost of living. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Construction Worker | 5.2/10 | €206 | No | Consider alternatives for Construction Workers. |
Salaries are estimated net monthly figures in EUR. “Data pending” indicates that salary data is not yet available for that profession in Kenya.
Related Pages
- Kenya Immigration Guide 2026
- Kenya Visa Comparison 2026
- Kenya Cost of Living 2026
- Cost of Living in Nairobi
- Cost of Living in Mombasa
- Cost of Living in Kisumu
- Compare Kenya with Other Countries
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying professions in Kenya for immigrants?
Based on estimated net monthly salaries, Doctor tops the list in Kenya at €812 per month. Salaries vary significantly by profession, with tech and healthcare roles typically commanding the highest wages for skilled immigrants.
Are these salaries in Kenya net or gross?
All salary figures shown are estimated net monthly amounts in EUR after taxes and social contributions. Actual take-home pay may vary based on individual tax circumstances, benefits, and employment contracts.
Do I need professional recognition to work in Kenya?
It depends on your profession. Regulated professions such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and architects typically require credential recognition before you can practise. The recognition column in the table above indicates which professions have this requirement in Kenya.
Data sourced from official government portals, Numbeo, Glassdoor, and verified employer surveys. Figures are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice. Last updated 2026-03-12.