Average Salary in Saudi Arabia 2023
How much money does a person working in Saudi Arabia make?
LOW
4,230
SAR AVERAGE
16,700
SAR HIGH
74,600
SAR
A person working in Saudi Arabia typically earns around 16,700 SAR per month. Salaries range from 4,230 SAR (lowest average) to 74,600 SAR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Pay Scale and Salaries in Saudi Arabia
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
31,400 SAR or more
24,600 to 31,400 SAR
9,560 SAR or less
9,560 to 24,600 SAR
 4,230 SAR |
14,400 SAR |
74,600 SAR |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries in Saudi Arabia range from 4,230 SAR per month (starting salary) to 74,600 SAR per month (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
Median Salary
The median salary is 14,400 SAR per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 14,400 SAR while the other half are earning more than 14,400 SAR. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population are earning less than 10,400 SAR while 75% of them are earning more than 10,400 SAR. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population are earning less than 21,800 SAR while 25% are earning more than 21,800 SAR.
Pay Scale Structure
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights on how salaries are actually distributed. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 9,560 SAR to 24,600 SAR. Approximatly 20% fall under the 9,560 SAR cap. Ten percent of wages are from 24,600 SAR to 31,400 SAR. Only 5% of people grossed 31,400 SAR or more.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does a person's salary progress over time?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.
As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.
Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.
Salary Comparison By Education
How does the education level affect your salary?
It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degrees levels across many jobs, below are our findings.
Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.
Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a cerificate or diploma.
Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Saudi Arabia costs anywhere from 83,500 Saudi Riyal(s) to 251,000 Saudi Riyal(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
The decision really depends on your situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if you can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male employees in Saudi Arabia earn 14% more than their female counterparts on avergae across all sectors.
| Male | 17,500 SAR | |
| Female | -12% | 15,400 SAR |
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Saudi Arabia
How much are annual salary increments in Saudi Arabia? How often do employees get salary raises?
Saudi Arabia
Employees in Saudi Arabia are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 8% every 17 months.
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 2% | |
| Energy | 4% | |
| Information Technology | 6% | |
| Healthcare | 8% | |
| Travel | 1% | |
| Construction | 3% | |
| Education | 5% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Saudi Arabia for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Average Salary Increase Rate by Experience Level
| Junoir Level | 3% - 5% | |
| Mid-Career | 6% - 9% | |
| Senior Level | 10% - 15% | |
| Top Management | 15% - 20% |
The difference in increment rates is somehow justified because employers put more effort to retain more experienced staff since they are harder to acquire than less experienced ones.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Bonus and Incentive Rates in Saudi Arabia
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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51% of surveyed staff in Saudi Arabia reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 49% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 49% | |
| No Bonus | 51% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field
| Finance | High | |
| Architecture | High | |
| Sales | High | |
| Business Development | High | |
| Marketing / Advertising | High | |
| Information Technology | Moderate | |
| Healthcare | Moderate | |
| Insurance | Moderate | |
| Customer Service | Moderate | |
| Human Resources | Moderate | |
| Construction | Low | |
| Transport | Low | |
| Hospitality | Low |
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Salaries for specific job categories
Choose a job category to explore specific salary details
Accounting and FinanceAdministration / Reception / SecretarialAdvertising / Grapic Design / EventsAirlines / Aviation / Aerospace / DefenseArchitectureAutomotiveBankingBilingualBusiness PlanningCare Giving and Child CareCleaning and HousekeepingConstruction / Building / InstallationCounselingCourier / Delivery / Transport / DriversCustomer Service and Call CenterElectrical and Electronics TradesEngineeringEnvironmentalExecutive and ManagementFacilities / Maintenance / RepairFactory and ManufacturingFashion and ApparelFitness / Hair / BeautyFood / Hospitality / Tourism / CateringFundraising and Non ProfitGardening / Farming / FishingGovernment and DefenceHealth and MedicalHuman ResourcesImport and ExportIndependent JobsInformation TechnologyInsuranceLaw Enforcement / Security / FireLegalMarketingMedia / Broadcasting / Arts / EntertainmentOil / Gas / Energy / MiningPet CarePharmaceutical and BiotechnologyPhotographyPublic RelationsPublishing and PrintingPurchasing and InventoryQuality Control and ComplianceReal EstateRecreation and SportsSales Retail and WholesaleScience and Technical ServicesTeaching / EducationTelecommunicationSalary Trend and Forecast in Saudi Arabia
How are Saudi Arabia salaries changing over time? The chart below shows the average salary change in the past few years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 15,200 SAR | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +3% | 15,700 SAR |
| Average Salary 2021 | +3% | 16,200 SAR |
| Average Salary 2022 | +1% | 16,400 SAR |
Salaries in Saudi Arabia are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2022 are 1% higher than those of 2021. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from industry to another.
Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Accounting and Finance | |
| Accountant | 10,600 SAR |
| Accounting Assistant | 8,240 SAR |
| Accounting Manager | 24,900 SAR |
| Bookkeeper | 7,310 SAR |
| Chartered Accountant | 14,800 SAR |
| Corporate Treasurer | 21,300 SAR |
| Financial Analyst | 21,000 SAR |
| Financial Manager | 31,100 SAR |
| Internal Auditor | 15,100 SAR |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
| Administrative Assistant | 8,630 SAR |
| Office Manager | 14,100 SAR |
| Receptionist | 7,560 SAR |
| Secretary | 7,020 SAR |
Advertising / Grapic Design / Events | |
| Art Director | 15,300 SAR |
| Creative Director | 15,900 SAR |
| Graphic Designer | 9,670 SAR |
| Photographer | 9,240 SAR |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
| Aerospace Engineer | 20,100 SAR |
| Air Traffic Controller | 17,100 SAR |
| Flight Attendant | 10,700 SAR |
| Pilot | 28,300 SAR |
Architecture | |
| Architect | 18,600 SAR |
| CAD Drafter | 8,440 SAR |
Automotive | |
| Mechanic | 5,780 SAR |
| Service Advisor | 10,400 SAR |
Banking | |
| Bank Branch Manager | 28,000 SAR |
| Teller | 6,060 SAR |
Bilingual | |
| Teacher | 12,700 SAR |
| Translator | 14,800 SAR |
Business Planning | |
| Business Analyst | 19,200 SAR |
| Business Development Manager | 25,300 SAR |
| Project Manager | 20,100 SAR |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
| Nanny | 6,690 SAR |
| Nursery Teacher | 5,860 SAR |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
| Civil Engineer | 15,500 SAR |
| Construction Project Manager | 27,500 SAR |
| Health and Safety Officer | 7,090 SAR |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
| Call Center Representative | 6,220 SAR |
| Customer Service Manager | 20,600 SAR |
| Customer Service Representative | 5,680 SAR |
Engineering | |
| Civil Engineer | 15,200 SAR |
| Electrical Engineer | 15,800 SAR |
| Engineer | 14,900 SAR |
| Mechanical Engineer | 14,500 SAR |
Executive and Management | |
| Chief Executive Officer | 34,700 SAR |
| Chief Financial Officer | 34,500 SAR |
| General Manager | 26,800 SAR |
| Project Manager | 18,200 SAR |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
| Chef | 10,300 SAR |
| Executive Chef | 11,700 SAR |
| Hotel Manager | 28,800 SAR |
| Receptionist | 5,930 SAR |
| Travel Agent | 10,100 SAR |
| Waiter / Waitress | 5,000 SAR |
Health and Medical | |
| Dentist | 39,100 SAR |
| Dietitian | 30,700 SAR |
| Laboratory Technician | 11,500 SAR |
| Nurse | 12,000 SAR |
Human Resources | |
| Human Resources Manager | 23,700 SAR |
| Human Resources Officer | 9,120 SAR |
Information Technology | |
| Computer Technician | 12,200 SAR |
| Database Administrator | 16,200 SAR |
| Developer / Programmer | 15,600 SAR |
| Information Technology Manager | 27,000 SAR |
| Network Engineer | 13,700 SAR |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
| Police Officer | 9,680 SAR |
Legal | |
| Attorney | 32,100 SAR |
| Legal Assistant | 8,560 SAR |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
| Journalist | 17,200 SAR |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
| Biomedical Engineer | 13,700 SAR |
| Pharmacist | 20,600 SAR |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
| Cashier | 6,140 SAR |
| Sales Manager | 27,000 SAR |
| Sales Representative | 10,100 SAR |
Teaching / Education | |
| Elementary School Teacher | 11,400 SAR |
| Secondary School Teacher | 12,500 SAR |
Average Hourly Wage in Saudi Arabia
96 SAR per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Saudi Arabia is 96 SAR. This means that the average person in Saudi Arabia earns approximately 96 SAR for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
This minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Saudi Arabia is 24 SAR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Abha | 15,900 SAR |
| Dammam | 16,400 SAR |
| Jeddah | 17,300 SAR |
| Khubar | 16,200 SAR |
| Mecca | 17,000 SAR |
| Medina | 16,700 SAR |
| Riyadh | 17,600 SAR |
| Tabuk | 15,200 SAR |
| Taif | 15,500 SAR |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Saudi Arabia earn 7% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 16,000 SAR | |
| Public Sector | +7% | 17,200 SAR |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Saudi Arabia?
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Saudi Arabia would range anywhere between 14,400 SAR and 21,800 SAR.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salart after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary in Saudi Arabia is ranges from 10,400 SAR to 21,800 SAR. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range in a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
