The average salary for housemaids in Kenya is Ksh. 10,000 to Ksh. 15,000 per month. However, this depends on whether the housemaid is a live-in or live-out worker, their specific duties, and location.
Salary of Live-In Housemaids
Live-in housemaids in Kenya earn an average salary starting from Ksh. 10,000 per month. This arrangement typically includes accommodation and meals provided by the employer. The salary may vary based on experience, workload, and additional benefits such as bonuses.
Salary of Live-Out Housemaids
Live-out housemaids earn slightly more, with salaries starting from Ksh. 12,000 per month. They commute daily to their employer's home and often handle household chores, childcare, or both. Their salary reflects the additional costs they bear, such as transportation and meals.
Salary of Part-Time Housemaids in Kenya
Part-time housemaids in Kenya are paid on a daily basis.
- Full-day workers (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) earn Ksh. 700 per day.
- Half-day workers (less than 5 hours) earn Ksh. 400 per day.
This type of work is common for households needing occasional or light assistance.
Average Salary of Professional Nannies in Kenya
The average salary of professional nannies in Kenya is Ksh. 12,000 to Ksh. 15,000 per month. This depends on whether they are live-in or live-out workers, their level of training, and the scope of their responsibilities.
Average Salary for Live-In Professional Nannies
Live-in professional nannies earn a starting salary of Ksh. 12,000 per month. They reside with the family and focus exclusively on childcare tasks, including feeding, supervising, and assisting with children's errands. Employers typically cover their accommodation and meals.
Average Salary for Live-Out Professional Nannies
Live-out professional nannies earn a starting salary of Ksh. 13,000 per month. Unlike live-in nannies, they commute to the workplace daily. Their salary reflects additional expenses like transportation and meals. Their duties remain focused on childcare and children’s activities without general housekeeping.
Salary for Part-Time Professional Nannies
Part-time professional nannies charge Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work (less than 5 hours). This option is common for families requiring short-term or flexible nanny services.
Salary for Night Nannies in Kenya
Night nannies earn Ksh. 800 per night. They assist families during the night, often catering to infants and toddlers or providing support for new parents.
Average Salary of Househelps in Kenya
The average salary of househelps in Kenya ranges from Ksh. 10,000 to Ksh. 12,000 per month. The exact amount depends on whether they are live-in, live-out, or part-time workers.
A househelp is a domestic worker employed to perform household tasks and assist in managing day-to-day chores within a home. Their duties may include cleaning, laundry, cooking, shopping for groceries, and sometimes childcare, depending on the employer's needs.
Househelps can work in different arrangements:
- Live-in Househelps stay in the employer's home and often have broader responsibilities, including round-the-clock availability.
- Live-out Househelps commute daily to the workplace and usually work fixed hours. The are also called Daybug nannies in Kenya.
- Part-time Househelps offer their services for a few hours or specific days and are hired on a more flexible basis.
Househelps play a vital role in households, particularly for families balancing work and other responsibilities. Their salary and working conditions typically vary based on their arrangement, location, and job scope.
Salary for Live-In Househelps
Live-in househelps earn a starting salary of Ksh. 10,000 per month. They reside with the family and are provided with accommodation and meals. Their duties typically include general housekeeping tasks, such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking.
Salary for Live-Out Househelps
Live-out househelps earn slightly more, with a starting salary of Ksh. 12,000 per month. They commute to work daily and handle similar duties as live-in househelps. The higher pay compensates for their personal costs, such as transportation and meals.
Salary for Part-Time Househelps
Part-time househelps charge Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work (less than 5 hours). Part-time arrangements are suitable for families needing assistance on specific days or for limited hours.
Average Salary of House Maids in Kenya by Location
The salary of housemaids in Kenya varies significantly depending on the city or town. Larger urban areas like Nairobi and Mombasa tend to offer higher wages compared to smaller towns due to the cost of living and demand for domestic workers.
Average Salary of House helps and Nannies in Nairobi
In Nairobi, live-in housemaids earn an average of Ksh. 10,000 to Ksh. 15,000 per month, while live-out housemaids earn Ksh. 12,000 to Ksh. 18,000 per month. Part-time workers charge Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work. Night nannies earn Ksh. 800 per night. Higher demand and the city’s elevated living costs influence these rates.
Salary for House Maids in Mombasa
In Mombasa, live-in housemaids earn around Ksh. 9,000 to Ksh. 13,000 per month, and live-out housemaids earn Ksh. 11,000 to Ksh. 15,000 per month. Part-time workers charge similar rates as in Nairobi: Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work. Night nannies typically earn Ksh. 800 per night.
Average Salary of House Helps in Kisumu
A live-in housemaid in Kisumu earns a salary of between Ksh. 8,000 to Ksh. 12,000 per month, while live-out housemaids earn Ksh. 10,000 to Ksh. 14,000 per month. Part-time workers charge Ksh. 600 to Ksh. 700 per day, slightly lower than in Nairobi and Mombasa. Night nannies earn Ksh. 700 to Ksh. 800 per night.
Average Salary of House Maids and Nannies in Nakuru
In Nakuru, live-in housemaids earn between Ksh. 9,000 and Ksh. 13,000 per month, while live-out housemaids earn Ksh. 11,000 to Ksh. 15,000 per month. Part-time housemaids charge Ksh. 600 to Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work. Night nannies earn around Ksh. 700 per night.
Salary of House Managers in Eldoret
In Eldoret, live-in housemaids earn around Ksh. 8,000 to Ksh. 12,500 per month, while live-out housemaids earn Ksh. 10,000 to Ksh. 14,000 per month.
Part-time housemaids charge Ksh. 600 to Ksh. 700 per day for full-day work and Ksh. 400 per day for half-day work. Night nannies earn approximately Ksh. 700 to Ksh. 800 per night.
Comparison of Househelp Salaries to Kenya’s Minimum Wage
Housemaids' salaries in Kenya often align with or fall slightly below the minimum wage standards set for domestic workers. The Regulation of Wages (General) Order provides the minimum wage rates for various roles, including housemaids, gardeners, and general workers.
Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers in Cities
In major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, the minimum wage for domestic workers is:
- Per Month:Ksh. 15,201.65
- Per Day:Ksh. 731.47
- Per Hour:Ksh. 135.86
These wages apply to roles such as cleaners, gardeners, and house servants.
How Housemaids' Salaries Compare
- Live-in housemaids: The salaries of housemaids that live in start at Ksh. 10,000 per month. These salary range is below the minimum wage. Though, employers often provide additional benefits like accommodation and meals.
- Live-out housemaids: The salaries of live-out maids start from Ksh. 12,000 per month. Also, live-out housemaids earn slightly less than the minimum wage but may negotiate for better pay depending on their responsibilities.
- Part-time and daily workers: Part-time housemaids earning Ksh. 700 per day closely match the daily minimum wage of Ksh. 731.47. Half-day workers and night nannies, however, often fall below this benchmark.
Legal Compliance and Enforcement
The minimum wage standards in Kenya are clear but the enforcement can vary. Many housemaids work without formal contracts, making it difficult to ensure compliance. Employers are encouraged to provide fair wages and align with Kenya’s labor laws to support workers’ livelihoods.
