A person working in Bahrain typically earns around 1,480 BHD. Salaries range from 370 BHD (lowest average) to 6,600 BHD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Bahrain vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
![]() 370 BHD |
![]() 1,360 BHD |
![]() 6,600 BHD |
Salaries in Bahrain range from 370 BHD (starting salary) to 6,600 BHD (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.
The median salary is 1,360 BHD, which means that 50% of the population in Bahrain earns less than that while the other half earns more. 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.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Bahrain earn less than 980 BHD while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 2,050 BHD while 25% earn more than that.
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 into how salaries are actually distributed in Bahrain. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 900 BHD to 2,310 BHD. Approximately 20% fall under the 900 BHD cap. Ten percent of wages are from 2,310 BHD to 2,950 BHD. Only 5% of people grossed 2,950 BHD or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Bahrain, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Bahrain comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Bahrain is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 7,420 BHD to 22,200 BHD and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Bahrain, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 10% across all career fields.
Male | 1,560 BHD | |
Female | -9% | 1,420 BHD |
Employees in Bahrain are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 4% every 29 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare 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.
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
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.
62% of surveyed staff in Bahrain reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 38% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 38% | |
No Bonus | 62% |
The 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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 1,060 BHD |
Accounting Assistant | 850 BHD |
Accounting Manager | 2,200 BHD |
Bookkeeper | 670 BHD |
Chartered Accountant | 1,310 BHD |
Corporate Treasurer | 2,130 BHD |
Financial Analyst | 1,880 BHD |
Financial Manager | 2,910 BHD |
Internal Auditor | 1,460 BHD |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 770 BHD |
Office Manager | 1,310 BHD |
Receptionist | 760 BHD |
Secretary | 660 BHD |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 1,450 BHD |
Creative Director | 1,480 BHD |
Graphic Designer | 920 BHD |
Photographer | 840 BHD |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 1,940 BHD |
Air Traffic Controller | 1,700 BHD |
Flight Attendant | 1,070 BHD |
Pilot | 2,640 BHD |
Architecture | |
Architect | 1,840 BHD |
CAD Drafter | 760 BHD |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 570 BHD |
Service Advisor | 1,090 BHD |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 2,730 BHD |
Teller | 560 BHD |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 1,200 BHD |
Translator | 1,310 BHD |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 1,840 BHD |
Business Development Manager | 2,350 BHD |
Project Manager | 1,990 BHD |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 640 BHD |
Nursery Teacher | 590 BHD |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 1,390 BHD |
Construction Project Manager | 2,410 BHD |
Health and Safety Officer | 700 BHD |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 540 BHD |
Customer Service Manager | 2,060 BHD |
Customer Service Representative | 580 BHD |
Engineering | |
Civil Engineer | 1,390 BHD |
Electrical Engineer | 1,410 BHD |
Engineer | 1,400 BHD |
Mechanical Engineer | 1,490 BHD |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 3,420 BHD |
Chief Financial Officer | 3,140 BHD |
General Manager | 2,670 BHD |
Project Manager | 1,690 BHD |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 930 BHD |
Executive Chef | 1,110 BHD |
Hotel Manager | 2,820 BHD |
Receptionist | 560 BHD |
Travel Agent | 980 BHD |
Waiter / Waitress | 500 BHD |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 3,450 BHD |
Dietitian | 2,830 BHD |
Laboratory Technician | 1,190 BHD |
Nurse | 1,130 BHD |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 2,310 BHD |
Human Resources Officer | 900 BHD |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 1,140 BHD |
Database Administrator | 1,450 BHD |
Developer / Programmer | 1,420 BHD |
Information Technology Manager | 2,590 BHD |
Network Engineer | 1,260 BHD |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 930 BHD |
Legal | |
Attorney | 2,870 BHD |
Legal Assistant | 790 BHD |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 1,760 BHD |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 1,350 BHD |
Pharmacist | 1,990 BHD |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 580 BHD |
Sales Manager | 2,640 BHD |
Sales Representative | 1,010 BHD |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 990 BHD |
Secondary School Teacher | 1,210 BHD |
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 fixed 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.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Bahrain is 2 BHD. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Bahrain is 17% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 1,380 BHD | |
Public Sector | +17% | 1,620 BHD |
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 Bahrain would range anywhere between 1,360 BHD and 2,050 BHD.
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 salary after tax for every career.
The base salary in Bahrain ranges from 370 BHD to 980 BHD. 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 with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn 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