Free Kenya Net Pay Calculator – Know Your Take-Home Salary Before You Sign That Contract
Use Our Free Net Pay Calculator Right Now. Just enter your gross salary and get your exact net pay instantly.
Works for all salary ranges in Kenya. Includes 2024 tax rates and new SHIF contributions.
You Just Got a Job Offer. But How Much Will You Really Earn? #
Your gross salary looks great on paper. But after NSSF, SHIF, PAYE, and housing levy kick in, that number shrinks fast.
Most young professionals in Kenya learn this the hard way – on their first payday.
Don’t be that person. Use our net pay calculator to know your real salary upfront.
Here’s What Happens to Your Salary (The Real Math) #
Gross Salary: KSh 50,000
Step 1 – Calculate SHIF: KSh 1,375 (2.75% of gross)
Step 2 – Calculate NSSF: KSh 3,000 (two-tier calculation)
Step 3 – Calculate Housing Levy: KSh 750 (1.5% of gross)
Step 4 – Total Statutory Deductions: KSh 5,125
Step 5 – Taxable Income: KSh 44,875 (gross minus deductions)
Step 6 – Calculate Tax and Apply Relief: KSh 5,846 PAYE (rounded)
Step 7 – Net Pay: KSh 39,029
That’s KSh 10,971 less than you expected. Every month.
Why Your Friends Need This Net Pay Calculator Too #
Share this calculator because:
- SHIF replaced the old system and nobody knows the new rates (2.75% of your salary, minimum KSh 300)
- NSSF has two-tier contributions now (6% up to KSh 72,000 salary)
- Your first payslip shouldn’t be a shock (plan your budget before you start)
Compare individual deductions: Use our specialized calculators for SHIF, NSSF, Housing Levy, and PAYE Tax to understand each deduction in detail.
Step-by-Step: Understanding Your Payslip #
Step 1: Start With Your Gross Salary #
This is what your employer promises to pay you. Before any deductions.
Step 2: Calculate SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) #
Starting 1 October 2024, all employees are expected to pay 2.75% of their gross monthly salary to this fund and as from 27th December 2024, SHIF contributions are fully tax-deductible.
- 2.75% of your gross salary
- Minimum contribution: KSh 300 per month
- No maximum limit
Example: KSh 50,000 × 2.75% = KSh 1,375
Learn more about SHIF rates at the official KRA amendments notice.
Need to calculate SHIF only? Use our dedicated SHIF Calculator for detailed health insurance contribution breakdowns.
Step 3: Calculate NSSF Contributions (Two-Tier System) #
The NSSF Kenya official website outlines the current two-tier system:
- Tier 1: 6% on first KSh 8,000 of salary
- Tier 2: 6% on remaining amount up to KSh 72,000
- Maximum monthly contribution: KSh 4,320
Example: KSh 50,000 salary = KSh 480 (Tier 1) + KSh 2,520 (Tier 2) = KSh 3,000
Want to understand your pension contributions better? Check our NSSF Calculator for detailed two-tier breakdowns and retirement projections.
Step 4: Calculate Housing Levy #
- 1.5% of your gross salary
- Both you and your employer contribute
- Helps fund affordable housing projects
Example: KSh 50,000 × 1.5% = KSh 750
Planning to buy a house? Our Housing Levy Calculator shows how your contributions build toward affordable housing eligibility.
Step 5: Calculate All Statutory Deductions #
Total statutory deductions: NSSF + SHIF + Housing Levy
Example: KSh 3,000 + KSh 1,375 + KSh 750 = KSh 5,125
Step 6: Calculate Taxable Income #
Subtract statutory deductions from gross pay Example: KSh 50,000 – KSh 5,125 = KSh 44,875
Step 7: Calculate Tax and Apply Personal Relief #
Apply tax brackets to your taxable income according to KRA PAYE guidelines:
Tax Brackets (Monthly):
- First KSh 24,000: 10%
- Next KSh 8,333: 25% (from KSh 24,001 to KSh 32,333)
- Next KSh 467,667: 30% (from KSh 32,334 to KSh 500,000)
- Next KSh 300,000: 32.5%
- Above KSh 800,000: 35%
For KSh 50,000 salary example (taxable income KSh 44,875):
Since KSh 44,875 falls in the third tax bracket, here’s the calculation:
Step A: Tax on first KSh 24,000 at 10% = KSh 2,400
Step B: Tax on next KSh 8,333 (KSh 24,001 to KSh 32,333) at 25% = KSh 2,083.25
Step C: Tax on remaining KSh 12,542 (KSh 44,875 – KSh 32,333) at 30% = KSh 3,762.60
Step D: Total tax charged = KSh 2,400 + KSh 2,083.25 + KSh 3,762.60 = KSh 8,245.85
Step E: Apply personal relief of KSh 2,400
Final PAYE = KSh 8,245.85 – KSh 2,400 = KSh 5,845.85
Note: The exact amount may vary slightly due to rounding in the calculator code
Need to calculate just your income tax? Use our PAYE Tax Calculator to explore different salary scenarios and tax optimization strategies.
Step 8: Calculate Net Pay #
Subtract PAYE from taxable income
Example: KSh 44,875 – KSh 5,846 = NET PAY KSh 39,029
Real Examples From Real Salaries (Using Our Net Pay Calculator) #
Fresh Graduate – KSh 30,000 gross
- Statutory deductions: KSh 3,075 (NSSF + SHIF + Housing Levy)
- Taxable income: KSh 26,925
- PAYE: KSh 731
- Take-home: KSh 26,633
Mid-level Professional – KSh 80,000 gross
- Statutory deductions: KSh 7,720 (NSSF + SHIF + Housing Levy)
- Taxable income: KSh 72,280
- PAYE: KSh 14,067
- Take-home: KSh 58,213
Senior Professional – KSh 150,000 gross
- Statutory deductions: KSh 10,695 (NSSF + SHIF + Housing Levy)
- Taxable income: KSh 139,305
- PAYE: KSh 34,175
- Take-home: KSh 105,130
Common Questions Young Kenyans Ask About Net Pay Calculator #
Q: Can I reduce these deductions? NSSF, SHIF, and housing levy are mandatory. PAYE can be reduced through tax reliefs for insurance premiums, mortgage interest, and pension contributions.
Q: What happened to the old health insurance system? The old system was replaced by SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) in 2024. SHIF is calculated as 2.75% of salary instead of fixed brackets.
Q: Why do I calculate deductions before tax? Statutory deductions (NSSF, SHIF, housing levy) reduce your taxable income first. Then PAYE tax is calculated on what remains.
Q: Why is NSSF different from what I heard? NSSF moved to a two-tier system. You contribute 6% on the first KSh 8,000, then 6% on the remaining amount up to KSh 72,000 total salary.
Q: Do allowances get taxed? Transport and lunch allowances up to KSh 3,000 each are tax-free. Everything else gets taxed.
Q: What if my employer doesn’t deduct correctly? You’re still liable for the correct tax amount. KRA will come for the difference later.
Why This Net Pay Calculator Helps You Make Better Money Decisions #
Before salary negotiations: Know what you’ll actually take home
Before budgeting: Plan with real numbers, not gross salary
Before job switching: Compare actual pay, not just the offer letter
Share This Net Pay Calculator With Every Working Kenyan You Know #
Forward this link to friends starting new jobs. Post it in your WhatsApp groups. Tweet it to your followers.
Because everyone deserves to know their real salary before making life decisions.
Additional Resources:
- KRA PAYE Tax Information – Official tax rates and guidelines
- NSSF Kenya Official Rates – Current contribution information
- KRA 2024 Tax Amendments – Latest SHIF and housing levy changes
Our Specialized Kenya Tax Calculators:
- PAYE Tax Calculator – Income tax calculations with relief optimization
- NSSF Calculator – Pension contributions and retirement planning
- SHIF Calculator – Health insurance fund contributions
- Housing Levy Calculator – Affordable housing contributions and eligibility
This net pay calculator uses current Kenya tax rates for 2024, including new SHIF rates and two-tier NSSF system. Results are estimates for planning purposes. Consult a tax professional for complex situations.