In today’s competitive job market, finding a well-paying career can be a challenge. Whether you’re a recent graduate or someone with work experience, you need to choose a career that offers great opportunities for high income. Scroll down to explore the highest paying careers in 2023.

Medicine and Surgery

Medicine and surgery have always been highly regarded professions globally, and Kenya is no exception. Doctors and surgeons in the country earn a significant income due to the critical role they play in saving lives and ensuring public health.

Pursuing a medical degree and specializing in a specific field can open doors to lucrative positions in both public and private hospitals.

Due to the nature of work, skills, and high attention to detail required, surgeons and doctors working in renowned hospitals such as The Karen Hospital and Mater Nairobi Hospital can earn up to Ksh 400,000 per month or more.

Engineering

The demand for skilled engineers in Kenya has been on the rise making it an excellent career option. Whether you specialize in civil, electrical, mechanical, or software engineering, your skills will be in high demand. As a result, engineers enjoy excellent salaries and a wide array of job opportunities, including working on major infrastructure projects across the country.

Law

How many careers do you think can make you a clean 2 million per month? Considering you are not working in the management positions or working as a CEO in an established firm. Of course they are very few and one of them is law. Lawyers in Kenya can easily make an average of Ksh 135,000 per month. However, experienced ones can make even Ksh 2 million per month or more, especially those with a good winning reputation and ones who represent politicians, business tycoons, wealthy individuals, multiple businesses, and criminal defense attorneys.

To enter the legal profession, you should pass your KCSE with a minimum of a B plain and complete a four-year degree at a recognized university. Next, you must enroll in the Kenya Law School for two years to become a high court advocate.

Software Engineering

Imagine working for multinationals such as IBM and Google. Software engineering is a highly sought-after profession that can offer a salary of Ksh 100,000 per month or more depending on the skill set. Skilled and innovative software engineers are in high demand by tech companies like Safaricom, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Google, and Finance institutions like banks and microfinances.

To pursue a career in software engineering, you need to have excellent grades in KCSE, particularly in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Studies (but not a must). Software engineers can start with a computer science degree and specialize in software engineering, start with a degree in IT or specifically do software engineering.

Starting salaries for software engineers can be around Ksh 30,000 and rise with experience, increasing to over Ksh 280,000 per month.

Architecture

Contrary to popular belief, architecture is still one of the highest earning professions in Kenya. With a degree in architecture from an accredited university, you can start your career with a starting income of Ksh 50,000. However, with talent and experience, your salary can double or even triple. Most architects in Kenya make between Ksh 80,000 to Ksh 283,000 per month, depending on the scale of the projects they design and the clients they work with.

Actuarial Science

Actuarial science is another high-paying profession in Kenya, with an average salary of Ksh 100,000 per month. Actuaries work in fields such as insurance, finance, and risk management, using mathematical and statistical methods to assess and manage financial risks.

To become an actuary, you need to earn a degree in actuarial science and obtain professional certification from recognized bodies such as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries or the Society of Actuaries.

Accountancy

Accountancy is a well-respected and financially rewarding profession in Kenya. To become an accountant, you need a degree in accounting from a college or university.

Additionally, obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is necessary to work as a professional accountant. The starting salary for accountants is around Ksh 30,000 per month, with the potential for significant growth as you gain experience and specialize in specific areas of accounting.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering offers a starting salary of over Ksh 50,000 per month for diploma graduates.

With a job in blue-chip companies or the government, mechanical engineers can earn even higher salaries. Some of the companies known for paying mechanical engineers well in Kenya include Kengen, Bamburi Cement, Kenya Pipeline, and Kenya Power.

Dentistry

Do you have a passion in dentistry and need a career that is rewarding in both job satisfaction and financial stability? Dentists play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and treating dental issues.

In Kenya, dentists can earn an average salary of Ksh 200,000 per month. However, with experience and specialization, dentists can earn even higher salaries. Dentistry requires a degree in dentistry and registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.

Tourism and Hospitality

Kenya’s thriving tourism industry has contributed to increased demand for professionals in the hospitality sector. Hotel managers, tour operators, travel agents, and chefs all enjoy the rewarding career in this industry.

With Kenya’s diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and countless hotels and restaurants, the tourism sector offers numerous well-paying job opportunities.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is a specialized field that deals with the exploration, extraction, and production of oil and gas resources. With Kenya’s growing oil and gas industry, petroleum engineers are in high demand.

The average salary for petroleum engineers in Kenya is around Ksh 250,000 per month, making it one of the highest paying careers in the country.

To enter this field, you need to have a degree in petroleum engineering or a related field.

Wrap up

Kenya offers a plethora of well-paying career options for individuals with the right skills and qualifications. From medicine and surgery to engineering, information technology, finance, law, aviation, petroleum and mining, tourism and hospitality, real estate, and renewable energy, these sectors provide lucrative job prospects.

You need to develop your expertise in these fields and stay updated with industry trends. Through this, you can secure a high-paying career that fulfills both your professional goals and financial aspirations.