The minimum wage and average salary in Saudi Arabia in 2026

With a job market heavily reliant on foreign labor and expertise, Saudi Arabia hosts expats from around the globe. And those considering moving there should thoroughly research labor rights.

The vast majority of Saudi Arabia’s workforce consists of international workers who serve as nurses, teachers, marketers, drivers, and managers. Among this range of professions, salaries differ widely. This guide includes the following information about Saudi salaries and wages:

• Minimum wage in Saudi Arabia

• Minimum wage in Saudi Arabia: exclusions and variations

• Salaries and wages for international workers in Saudi ArabiaLow-income expatsHigh-income expats

• Low-income expats

• High-income expats

• Average salary in Saudi ArabiaAverage salary in Saudi Arabia by sectorWhat are the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia?Salary checker in Saudi Arabia

• Average salary in Saudi Arabia by sector

• What are the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia?

• Salary checker in Saudi Arabia

• The gender pay gap in Saudi Arabia

• What to do if you’re not being paid the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia

• What to do if your salary is too low in Saudi Arabia?

• Useful resources

Minimum wage in Saudi Arabia

For Saudi citizens registered in the Nitaqat (Saudization) program, the minimum wage is SAR 4,000 per month. The minimum wage law was introduced in 2013 to get more Saudis interested and hired in private sector jobs, which expats usually held.

Saudi labor law does not stipulate whether the minimum wage includes benefits, allowances, and tips.

Although the government has floated the idea of introducing a minimum wage for foreign workers, this has yet to be officially introduced.

Minimum wage in Saudi Arabia: exclusions and variations

Although the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia applies to all Saudi citizens over 15 (as under-15s are generally prohibited from working), there are some exceptions:

• Part-time workers: rather than being entitled to the full monthly minimum wage, their wages are calculated proportionally based on hours worked.

• Temporary workers: their wages are based on individual contracts but they are not usually subject to a different minimum wage.

• Interns and apprentices: these workers may earn less than the official minimum wage, particularly if they work as part of a structured training scheme.

• Volunteers: these workers are generally not entitled to a minimum wage.

In addition to these exceptions, Saudi Arabia’s minimum wage varies across different professions. For example, the following minimum monthly wages apply in different sectors from July 2025 (for Saudi nationals only):

• Dentistry: SAR 9,000

• Pharmacy: SAR 7,000

• Accounting: SAR 6,000 with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; 4,500 with a diploma

• Engineering/technical: SAR 5,000

Salaries and wages for international workers in Saudi Arabia

At just over 10 million people, internationals form nearly 76% of the workforce in Saudi Arabia. Historically, the Kingdom has been a place for both low and high-income expats to spend a few years, send money home, save up, and possibly leave.

However, this has been changing. Nitaqat, the country’s official Saudization policy, aims to place Saudi nationals in positions usually held by foreign workers, making the country less reliant on newcomers.

If you’re an expat thinking of moving to Saudi Arabia, the official minimum wage does not apply to non-Saudi nationals.

Low-income expats

According to government datasets, over half of expat workers in Saudi Arabia work in labor-intensive industries. The most common roles include:

• Shelf packer

• Construction worker

• Laborer

• Heavy truck driver

• Office and facility cleaner

Unfortunately, in the Kingdom, a significant indicator of an expat’s salary is their nationality, many people from regions such as South Asia and Africa work in these low-paid, physical roles. However, the government often negotiates with other countries to set salary standards for their citizens.

Lower-income expats have been most affected by Nitaqat, as fewer opportunities are available due to employers struggling to meet Saudization quotas.

High-income expats

High-income expats, often from regions such as Europe and North America, usually receive attractive compensation and benefits packages. These typically mirror or improve upon what they would get in their home country.

Although all internationals make lifestyle adjustments when moving to a new country, employers offering higher-paid roles are more likely to provide financial incentives to do so. Many professionals negotiate additional allowances such as housing, education, and travel benefits.

Nitaqat has affected high-income expats less, as their roles often require high-demand, specialized skills or training.

Average salary in Saudi Arabia

Saudi workers generally earn more than their foreign counterparts: an average of 10,159 per month compared to SAR 4,376 (2024).

Salaries have fluctuated over the years, with both Saudi and non-Saudi average monthly wages hitting lows between 2021 and 2022. They have since recovered somewhat, but the average pay for non-Saudis decreased in the first three quarters of 2024.

Although it’s possible to find an ‘average salary,’ the reality is that wages vary wildly between the minuscule and the exorbitant depending on your experience, training, and passport.

Indeed, salary distribution is inequal, internationals from wealthier countries receive the bulkiest compensation packages, followed by Arab expats, and then non-Arab expats from lower-income countries.

Internationals who receive a high-paying work offer will likely receive a salary and additional benefits. These might include medical insurance, an education stipend for children, annual/biannual plane tickets home, housing (or a housing allowance), and a car (or a travel allowance). Therefore, ensure you negotiate to get the best possible package so that you and your family can afford your expenses.

Average salary in Saudi Arabia by sector

According to data from vacancies on talent.com, the highest-paying private sector industries in Saudi Arabia are as follows:

Job sector

Median yearly salary

SAR 215,794

Marketing and sales

SAR 188,182

Accounting, administration, and human resources

SAR 171,488

Information technology

SAR 144,375

Childcare and education

SAR 142,714

In addition to these roles, highly paid jobs are also advertised in the legal, hospitality, construction, and banking and finance sectors.

What are the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia?

As mentioned above, salaries vary considerably in Saudi Arabia, even within specific roles, so it’s difficult to speak of a ‘highest-paying job.’ However, below you can find a few average monthly salaries for some of Saudi Arabia’s highest-paying jobs (Salary Explorer, 2025):

• Dentist: SAR 39,100

• Chief Executive Officer: SAR 34,700

• Chief Financial Officer: SAR 34,500

• Attorney: SAR 32,100

• Financial Manager: SAR 31,100

Salary checker in Saudi Arabia

If you want to check specific position salaries, check out PayScale or Glassdoor. The latter also allows former employees to post honest reviews about companies.

The gender pay gap in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia fares poorly For gender parity in terms of pay and other indicators. In the Global Gender Gap Report, which measures gender-based disparities, the Kingdom ranks 125th (out of 146) in the field of economic participation and opportunity.

Around 43% of women are employed, which puts it 136th in the world for female employment. In the private sector, women also earn 42% less than their male counterparts.

An overview of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia

What to do if you’re not being paid the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia

If there is some irregularity in your wages, such as not receiving your pay late or not the full amount, and you can’t resolve it with your employer, take your complaint to your local Labor Office within the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. The Labor Office will advise you on the next steps.

Human and civil rights in Saudi Arabia

Generally speaking, they have 21 days to reach an amicable settlement between you and your employer. If that doesn’t happen, they must escalate the situation by electronically submitting the case to the Labor Courts. Unfortunately, cases of labor violations are quite common in the Kingdom.

What to do if your salary is too low in Saudi Arabia?

Unfortunately, once you sign a contract and begin work for an employer, it’s not possible to change the terms without your employer’s consent. In fact, short of labor or wage violations, there’s little you can do to change your salary except discuss it with your employer. Your best bet is to do your research before discussing salary, and negotiate for as strong of a package as possible.

For more resources and to connect with fellow expats, visit ExpatsL ist.

Useful resources

• Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, government information on labor rights and other employment issues

• Salary Explorer, see and share salary details for different roles and industries