EDITOR’S NOTE: The range of salary estimates provided here is based on self-reported data on PayScale, Salary Explorer and MyWageKenya. These estimates may not always reflect the actual earned income in these careers but can be a useful comparison tool.

‍

As a result of increased unemployment and job uncertainty, many young people are conflicted about their professional prospects. If you're planning your career path and want to gain the skills that most employers require, it's vital to be informed of current employment market trends.

Many people would like to work in a field that they are enthusiastic about. But is that all? When choosing a career path, you should select one that will provide lucrative opportunities not only today but also in the future.

In-demand careers are careers that provide long-term growth, job stability, and a high number of open positions. 

Here's a list of some of the most in-demand careers in Kenya to help you make an informed decision about your career.

1. Information Technology

The average salary in 2022: People working in the Information Technology field receive incomes ranging from a low of Ksh76,600 to a high of Ksh240,000.

From becoming first country in the world to exclusively sell government bonds to its citizens via mobile money in 2017, Kenya's IT sector has been thriving and growinhg rapidly over the last decade.

IT managers, for example, are in charge of planning, coordinating, and directing activities using computers and information systems, among other things. We also have Software Engineers, Web Designers/Developers, Business Analysts, Computer Service Technicians, Cyber Security Specialists, Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Hardware Engineers, and other professionals.

As a result of digitization, most firms and individuals in Kenya and globally today conduct their activities via the internet, and these specialists help them to make an impact regardless of the industry.

So this is a career you might consider.

3. Sales and Marketing

The average salary in 2022: The average salary range for the majority of Sales and marketing workers is between Ksh47,751 - Ksh223,792 per month. 

Sales and marketing managers typically make between Ksh47,751 and Ksh151,906 net per month at the start of their careers, rising to an average of Ksh73,447 to Ksh254,620 per month after 5 years of service for a 45-hour workweek.

When done properly, that is, if you understand what you're doing and have the requisite skills and patience, this is one of the most rewarding careers, especially in the real estate market.

This professional path includes positions such as digital marketers, sales managers, sales supervisors, sales representatives, marketing managers, social media managers, SEO experts, content marketing, and so on.

The good news is that most sales and marketing jobs are increasingly being done online. Customers can be promoted and sold to from the convenience of your office or home. If you're good at persuasion and producing compelling calls - to - action, this is a career you should consider.

3. Medicine

The average salary in 2022: People working in the medical field earn salaries ranging from Ksh41,000 to Ksh500,000 on average.

A medical practitioner is one of the most sought-after professions in the world. Almost every family aspires to have at least one doctor among its members.

Because human health is and will always be valuable, occupations in medicine have historically been and will continue to be in high demand. Physicians, nurses, pediatricians, dentists, opticians, surgeons, pharmacists, gynecologists, and other medical professionals are among those who work in this field.

Job security is also guaranteed in this industry.

4. Mechanical Engineering

The average salary in 2022: An early career Mechanical Engineer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of Ksh 596,440 based on 46 salaries, according to Payscale, a compensation software, and data company that helps employers manage employee compensation and employees understand their worth in the job market.

Based on 12 incomes, a mid-career Mechanical Engineer with 5-9 years of experience makes an average total salary of KSh 1,200,000. A Mechanical Engineer's average pay is Ksh 613,144.

Mechanical engineering is a very marketable and sought-after technical discipline. These courses are highly scalable and offer a variety of job opportunities post-graduation.

Bamburi Cement, Kenya Power, Kenya Pipeline, Davis and Shirtliff, and Kengen are among the organizations that pay mechanical engineering graduates highly.

5. Graphic and Web Design

The average salary in 2022:  Graphic and web designer salaries in Kenya range from a low of Ksh60,200 per month to a high of Ksh192,000 per month.

Because of the rapid growth of the internet and technology, new businesses emerge on a daily basis, necessitating the usage of eye-catching images. This is why the demand for graphic designers is increasing.

As a graphic designer, you will be in charge of producing logos, websites, animation, flyers, product illustrations, and other materials. You can go for it if you're a truly creative person with an outstanding sense of color, art, and design.

The majority of people in this field are self-employed, and firms hire them to do their work.

6. Architecture

The average salary in 2022: A person working as an Architect in Kenya typically earns around an average of Ksh181,000 per month. Salaries in this field range from Ksh88,800 to Ksh283,000.

Architects' services are growing increasingly in demand as the population of Kenyans investing in property investment and real estate grows.

Architects design structures for a wide range of reasons. They can build factories, landscapes, and homes, as well as restore existing structures to incorporate environmentally friendly features.

Architects mix technical knowledge with artistic flair to create projects that are both functional and visually appealing. Among the positions available in this field are Building surveyors, town planners, structural engineers, and historic building inspectors.

This is a well-paid and in-demand career as well. 

7. Software Engineering

The average salary in 2022: In Kenya, a Software Engineer can expect to make roughly Ksh153,000 per month on average. Salaries in this industry range from an average low of Ksh 74,800 to a high of Ksh 238,000.

Technology is not going away anytime soon, and software developers will be the ones to ensure that it works for a wide range of people and businesses.

Software engineers are computer science specialists who use engineering concepts and programming languages to create software products, create computer games, and administer network control systems.

Companies that pay handsomely for software developers include Facebook, Google, Safaricom, and Airtel, among others.

Competence in software engineering is one of the most in-demand employment skills today and might remain so even in the future.

8. Quantity Surveying

The average salary in 2022: A person working as a Quantity Surveyor in Kenya typically earns an average of Ksh150,000 per month.

This career can pave a way for you to work for one of the government's various agencies. It also is among the most in-demand courses in Kenya. 

The most basic definition of a quantity surveyor's job is that he/she oversees all of the costs associated with a construction project.

WRAPPING UP

Although money should not be the main motivator, it is one of the aspects that people evaluate when deciding on a career path.

We all want to make a good life and earn good pay, therefore finding a good job is usually a top concern for most people. In today's job environment, however, no one can guarantee a steady salary.

Nevertheless, based on the careers mentioned above, there are still feasible professions in Kenya where you may create a decent life.