🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia salary guide 2025

Saudi Arabia salaries 2025: Riyadh & Jeddah

Every salary earned by foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia is tax-free. Here are the real salary ranges across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Vision 2030 megaprojects in 2025.

0%
Income tax for expat professionals
3.75
USD to SAR (fixed peg)
SAR
Currency: Saudi Riyal
May 2025
Last updated

Vision 2030: the biggest salary opportunity in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is the world's largest economic transformation programme. NEOM alone represents a $500bn investment. The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya entertainment city, Diriyah Gate, and the New Murabba development are adding hundreds of billions more. Senior professionals on these projects often receive packages — including housing, flights, transport, and allowances — that exceed equivalent Dubai roles in total value.

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Technology salaries — Saudi Arabia 2025

RoleJunior (SAR/mo)Mid-level (SAR/mo)Senior (SAR/mo)
Software Engineer10,000 - 16,00016,000 - 28,00028,000 - 50,000
Data Scientist / ML Engineer12,000 - 18,00018,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,000
DevOps / Cloud Engineer11,000 - 17,00017,000 - 30,00030,000 - 52,000
Product Manager12,000 - 20,00020,000 - 36,00036,000 - 62,000
Cybersecurity Engineer12,000 - 18,00018,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,000
CTO / VP Engineering38,000 - 62,00062,000 - 130,000+

Monthly, tax-free SAR. Riyadh, KAFD and tech hub rates. Browse Saudi tech jobs →

RoleJunior (SAR/mo)Mid-level (SAR/mo)Senior (SAR/mo)
Software Engineer9,000 - 15,00015,000 - 26,00026,000 - 46,000
Data Scientist / ML Engineer11,000 - 17,00017,000 - 30,00030,000 - 50,000
DevOps / Cloud Engineer10,000 - 16,00016,000 - 28,00028,000 - 48,000
Product Manager11,000 - 18,00018,000 - 32,00032,000 - 58,000
Cybersecurity Engineer11,000 - 17,00017,000 - 30,00030,000 - 52,000
CTO / VP Engineering35,000 - 58,00058,000 - 120,000+

Monthly, tax-free SAR. Jeddah rates tend to be 5-10% below Riyadh. Browse Saudi jobs →

RoleMid-level (SAR/mo)Senior (SAR/mo)Director/Lead (SAR/mo)
Software Engineer20,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,00055,000 - 100,000
Data / AI Specialist22,000 - 36,00036,000 - 60,00060,000 - 110,000
Smart City Tech Lead25,000 - 40,00040,000 - 70,00070,000 - 130,000
Digital Experience Director45,000 - 75,00075,000 - 150,000

Monthly, tax-free SAR. NEOM and Red Sea Project rates. Full accommodation + flights included in addition. Browse megaproject jobs →

Oil & gas salaries — Saudi Arabia 2025

RoleMid-level (SAR/mo)Senior (SAR/mo)Specialist/Director (SAR/mo)
Petroleum Engineer18,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,00055,000 - 90,000
Reservoir Engineer20,000 - 35,00035,000 - 60,00060,000 - 100,000
Drilling Engineer18,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,00055,000 - 90,000
Facilities / Process Engineer16,000 - 28,00028,000 - 48,00048,000 - 80,000
Operations Manager35,000 - 65,00065,000 - 120,000
HSE Manager14,000 - 25,00025,000 - 42,00042,000 - 70,000

Monthly, tax-free SAR. Aramco and SABIC rates. Field camp roles add accommodation, meals, and remote allowances. Browse oil & gas jobs →

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Construction salaries — Saudi Arabia 2025

RoleMid-level (SAR/mo)Senior (SAR/mo)Director (SAR/mo)
Project Manager (PMP)18,000 - 30,00030,000 - 55,00055,000 - 100,000
Construction Manager16,000 - 28,00028,000 - 50,00050,000 - 90,000
Quantity Surveyor (MRICS)14,000 - 24,00024,000 - 42,00042,000 - 70,000
Planning Engineer (P6)12,000 - 22,00022,000 - 38,00038,000 - 60,000
Contracts Manager (FIDIC)18,000 - 30,00030,000 - 52,00052,000 - 85,000
Site Engineer8,000 - 16,00016,000 - 28,000

Monthly, tax-free SAR. Vision 2030 megaproject rates include full accommodation + flights on top. Browse construction jobs →

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Finance & banking salaries — Saudi Arabia 2025

RoleEntry/Mid (SAR/mo)Manager (SAR/mo)Director/MD (SAR/mo)
Financial Analyst10,000 - 18,00018,000 - 30,000
Finance Manager18,000 - 38,00038,000 - 70,000
CFO50,000 - 120,000
Investment Banking Associate16,000 - 26,00026,000 - 55,00055,000 - 110,000+
Retail Banking Manager12,000 - 20,00020,000 - 38,00038,000 - 65,000
Islamic Finance Specialist14,000 - 22,00022,000 - 42,00042,000 - 75,000

Monthly, tax-free SAR. Riyadh KAFD financial district rates. Browse finance jobs →

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Saudi Arabia cost of living 2025

Saudi Arabia has a significantly lower cost of living than Dubai. Petrol is extremely cheap, housing is more affordable, and entertainment costs are rising (but from a very low base). Riyadh is more expensive than Jeddah for most categories.

1-bed apartment (Riyadh)
SAR 3,000 - 7,000
Per month. Olaya, Al Hamra, Diplomatic Quarter
1-bed apartment (Jeddah)
SAR 2,500 - 6,000
Per month. Al Corniche, Al Hamra, Al Rawdah
Petrol (per litre)
SAR 0.67 - 0.91
Heavily subsidised. Among world's cheapest
Dining out (mid-range)
SAR 60 - 150
Per person, per meal. Growing restaurant scene
Grocery bill (monthly)
SAR 1,200 - 2,500
Per household. Panda, Carrefour, Tamimi
International school fees
SAR 35,000 - 85,000
Per year. British and American curriculum
Private health insurance
SAR 3,000 - 10,000
Per year. Usually employer-provided
Domestic worker salary
SAR 800 - 1,500
Per month. Live-in. Common in expat households
Saudi Arabia salary FAQ

Common questions about Saudi salaries

No. Foreign nationals pay zero personal income tax in Saudi Arabia. Saudi nationals contribute to GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) — roughly 10% of salary — for pension and social insurance. Expats are generally not required to contribute to GOSI, making their entire salary tax-free. There is a corporate income tax for businesses but it doesn't affect personal salaries.
Saudisation (also called the Nitaqat programme) requires private sector companies to employ a minimum percentage of Saudi nationals, varying by industry and company size. Companies are rated green, platinum, yellow, or red based on compliance. Non-compliance affects visa issuance. This means many companies actively recruit Saudi nationals for certain roles, and expats typically fill specialist or senior positions where local talent is unavailable.
Generally yes, and the total package is significantly higher. Most megaproject roles include free accommodation (often in dedicated camp or city facilities), all meals, company transport, annual flights, and a remote working or project allowance on top of base salary. For senior professionals, the total package value on a NEOM or Red Sea Project role often exceeds equivalent Dubai roles when all components are added up.
For most senior professional and expat roles at international companies and on megaprojects — no. English is the working language on all major projects and at multinationals. For roles that require engagement with the Saudi government, local banks, or domestic institutions, Arabic is expected at senior levels. For sales roles targeting Saudi SMEs and consumers, Arabic is close to essential.
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