Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Kenya
So, you’ve come to the stage where you need to choose what career you’ll pursue? Maybe you’re already in a career and you’re considering a change? The problem is that there are so many careers to choose from that it could become challenging to know where to start your search. And economic uncertainty and high unemployment rates aren’t helping.
It thus makes sense to narrow down your search to those skills and jobs in Kenya in high demand. In doing so, you’ll make it easier to choose a career and increase your chances of finding employment.
In this post, we’ll look at the skills and jobs that are most in demand in Kenya.
What Skills are In High Demand in Kenya?
Before looking at the 20 most in-demand jobs in Kenya, let’s first consider some skills that are in high demand.
Here are some of the most in-demand skills in Kenya:
- Computing. Nowadays, everything runs on computers and, as such, computing skills are one of the most in-demand skills in Kenya. Some jobs that require these skills include Computer Technicians, Hardware Engineers, Data Analysts, and Data Scientists.
- Programming. Almost everyone, whether they’re a student, professional, or business, needs software applications. As such, there’s great demand for programming skills, not only in Kenya, but around the world. Jobs, where this skill is needed, include Software Developers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts.
- Digital. No matter what job you do, you’ll work with digital services and platforms. As such, there’s a high demand for these skills and you’ll use them in basically every job you do.
- Marketing. All businesses need marketing and, even if you run your own business, you’ll need these skills. Jobs, where these skills are especially valuable, include Content and Copywriters, Graphic Designers, Social Media Specialists, and more.
- Sales. Sales skills have always been in demand, and they will be for years to come. With these skills, you’ll have no difficulty finding a job as a Sales Representative or Sales Manager.
- Technical. Technical skills can be valuable in a range of jobs from computing-related jobs to telecommunications, construction, and more. As such, these skills are also in high demand.
- Medicine. Doctors, nurses, and specialists play a key role in society. As such, their skills are in high demand, not only in Kenya, but also abroad.
- Finance. No matter if you’re an entrepreneur or the CEO of a large company, finance skills are important. For qualified finance professionals, these skills open the door to many job opportunities and high incomes. Some of these jobs include Accountants, Actuaries, and Auditors.
- Engineering. Engineering skills form the foundation of infrastructure development and maintenance. And in Kenya, the most developed country in eastern and central Africa, these skills are in high demand.
- Construction. Similar to the engineering skills mentioned above, construction skills are also in high demand, from workers to the professionals who manage large construction projects.
What are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Kenya?
Now that we’ve seen the most in-demand skills in Kenya, let’s look at some of the most in-demand jobs in Kenya in 2022 and going into 2023.
1. IT Managers
Considering that, nowadays, everything revolves around information technology and the fact that Kenya has a thriving IT industry, it’s no surprise that jobs in the information technology sector are in high demand.
One of these jobs is IT manager. As IT manager, you’ll be in charge of planning and coordinating IT processes and infrastructure. You’ll also direct IT teams that implement, support, and maintain these processes and infrastructure. The average base salary for IT managers is about KSh 1,180,000 per year.
2. Software Developers
Let’s face it, nowadays there’s an app for everything, from tracking your fitness and diet to connecting with friends on social media, and running a business. In fact, it’s estimated that the average business worker uses about 9 different software applications to do their work.
Behind scenes, there are teams of software developers who design, develop, and update these applications. And, as the market for software increases, so too does the demand for skilled software developers. It’s thus unsurprising that this is one of the most in-demand jobs in Kenya. As a software developer, you can expect to earn about KSh 840,000 per year.
3. IT Technicians
It’s simple, all businesses, whether small or large, need IT systems as part of their infrastructure. These systems help them make their business processes more efficient, manage their relationships with their customers, manage their finances, and more.
IT technicians are responsible for the installation, implementation, maintenance, and support of these systems. As a result, qualified and skilled IT technicians provide valuable services across a range of industries and are in high demand. As an IT technician, you can expect to earn, on average, KSh 420,000 per year.
4. Data Scientist
In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses are increasingly relying on data to make better decisions, serve their customers better, make their processes more efficient, and offer the products or services the market needs and expects.
However, to get value from their data, they need people to gather and analyze their data to, ultimately, extract insights from it. This is where data scientists come in, as they use data analysis and technologies like machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data and make predictions based on their analysis. As a data scientist, you can expect to earn about KSH 990,000 per year.
5. Cyber Security Specialists
In recent times, the risk of data breaches and data loss has steadily increased, and cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent. These attacks, in turn, can result in significant damage being done to a business, both financially and reputationally.
This, ultimately, means that organizations need skilled cyber security analysts and specialists to assess their risks and implement the necessary measures in order to reduce these risks. For this reason, it’s expected that cyber security analysts will be in demand for years to come. As a cyber security analyst, you can expect to earn about KSH 980,000 per year.
6. Sales Representatives
Simply put, businesses need sales representatives to sell their products and drive revenue. This is even more relevant for businesses in the B2B space. Considering this, it’s easy to see why skilled sales representatives are always in high demand.
In addition, businesses also pay handsomely for these skills, and, as a sales representative, you’ll earn an average base salary of about KSh 360,000 per year. Although this might seem lower than many of the other jobs on this list, you need to keep in mind that businesses typically use incentive-based compensation schemes and, in addition to this base salary, you’ll earn a substantial commission.
7. Sales Managers
Apart from sales representatives, businesses also need sales managers. They develop and implement effective sales strategies and keep sales representatives on track to ensure that they perform at their best. And by doing this, sales managers can help businesses generate more revenue.
For this reason, skilled sales managers are in high demand and businesses reward them with substantial salaries. As such, as a sales manager, you can expect to earn about KSh 2,100,000 per year.
8. Digital Marketers
All businesses need marketing to generate awareness about their brand, products, or services. Simply put, without marketing, there would be no sales and, by implication, no revenue. Nowadays, marketing mostly happens on the internet, social media, and email.
Because of this, businesses need digital marketers who can help them build trust, loyalty, and lasting relationships with their customers through digital channels. As a digital marketer, you’ll earn about KSh 580,000 on average.
9. SEO Specialists
Flowing from the demand for digital marketing, SEO specialists are also in high demand. This is simply because their SEO skills allow businesses to be found online through their blogs and websites. In turn, this helps businesses attract more customers and generate more revenue. As such, effective SEO is one of the foundations of an effective digital marketing strategy.
As an SEO specialist, you can expect to earn a salary of about KSh 550,000 per year.
10. Graphic and Web Designers
As a graphic or web designer, you’ll create logos, marketing materials, videos, images, websites, and other collateral for businesses. As such, you’ll play a vital role in helping businesses establish their brand and communicate their mission and values through their branding.
In a competitive market, this is crucial to help businesses stand out from the crowd. As a result, and considering that all businesses need branding and an online presence, there is a strong demand for graphic and web developers.
As a Web Designer, you can expect to earn a salary of about KSh 340,000 per year.
11. Social Media Managers
As part of their overall digital marketing strategy and online presence, businesses need social media. It allows them to interact and engage with their customers, answer their customers’ questions, and help them solve any issues they encounter with a product.
This also means that businesses need skilled social media managers who can manage their social media accounts effectively and help them build a good reputation and relationships with their customers. As a social media manager, you can expect to earn about KSh 280,000 per year.
12. Healthcare Professionals
Let’s face it, healthcare professionals have always been in demand, and they will continue to be for years to come. The importance of healthcare professionals was again highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also no surprise that being a doctor is one of the most sought-after professions around the world.
Apart from being a doctor, you could also pursue a career as a nurse, dentist, pharmacist, optician, and many others. No matter what cause year you choose, you’ll be guaranteed a job and you can expect to earn anything from KSh 41,000 to KSh 500,000 per month.
13. Human Resource Professionals
Human resource professionals play a vital role in keeping employees motivated and productive. When they do, these employees perform better and help businesses generate more revenue. To achieve this, they develop and implement compensation plans, incentive structures, continuing education, and more, to allow every employee to perform to their highest potential.
For this reason, skilled human resource professionals are of great value to businesses and, as an HR professional, you will be in high demand. You can also expect to earn between KSh 700,000 and KSh 2,800,000 per year.
14. Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineering skills are valuable in a number of industries including mining, manufacturing, construction, and more. As a result, as a mechanical engineer, you’ll be in high demand and exposed to several lucrative job opportunities.
As an early career mechanical engineer, you can expect to earn about KSh 600,000 per year, on average. This amount increases significantly as you gain more experience and, once you’re a mid-level mechanical engineer, you’ll earn about KSh 1,200,000.
15. Architects
The number of people in Kenya investing in property and real estate is steadily increasing. As a result, there has been an increase in construction and, as such, a demand for skilled architects. Their skills aren’t only valuable in real estate, however, and they also develop structures for other industries like manufacturing, including factories, storage facilities, and more.
Consequently, as an architect, you’ll be in high demand. And you’ll be paid well too, as architects earn about KSh 2,170,000 per year.
16. Actuaries
Actuaries play a crucial role in several industries including banking, finance, insurance, and others. They focus on developing strategies to measure and manage risk and they calculate the financial implications of uncertainty. However, obtaining an actuarial science qualification is challenging.
Because of this, there aren’t many actuarial scientists. In turn, this means that they’re in high demand, so much so that, in some cases, they’re paid more than the CEOs of companies. Actuaries earn about KSh 2,350,000 per year, with some earning as much as KSh 8 million.
17. Accountants
All businesses need accountants, no matter how big or small they are. Accountants help them manage their finances, prepare for tax season, and provide valuable insights into the business’s income, expenses, and more. In turn, these insights can help businesses limit their expenses and increase their profits.
Considering the above, it’s easy to see why accountants are consistently in high demand. As an accountant, you can earn, on average, about KSh 482,000 per year.
18. Lecturers
As the demand for quality education increases, so too does the demand for qualified and skilled lecturers. They play a key role in educating the next and future generations. And because they are in demand and play such a vital role, they’re paid quite well too.
Ultimately, if you have the time and persistence to complete your Ph.D., you can be paid more than KSh 2,500,000 per year.
19. Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveyors play a significant role during the construction process as they calculate the amount of material and, thus, the budget for a project. There aren’t many quantity surveyors, simply because qualifying as a Quantity Survey isn’t easy. This means that there’s a lack of skilled and qualified candidates and, in turn, a strong demand for them.
This demand is also reflected in the salaries paid to Quantity Surveyors, with senior, experienced candidates being paid in excess of KSh 2,000,000 per year.
20. GIS Specialists
GIS Specialists process and analyze spatial data and manage GIS databases. This mostly involves entering text, coordinates, and aerial and satellite imagery into a database and analyzing the data to find spatial relationships. GIS Specialists also often review data for accuracy and to ensure that the data is current.
To do all this, GIS Specialists typically use GIS software and are becoming increasingly involved in developing and maintaining maps for use by the public through computers or mobile devices. GIS Specialists earn about KSh 690,000 per year, on average.
Find and Apply for the Most In-Demand Jobs in Kenya!
Hopefully, this post helped illustrate the 20 most in-demand jobs in Kenya, so that you’ll know what career you need to pursue to find a job quite easily. Once you’re ready to search for a job, head over to GrabJobs. We help you to not only find the best jobs and grow your career, but also to apply quickly and easily.
