Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Saudi Arabia
What are Saudi Arabia’s top 20 highest-paying jobs? Get the finest paid jobs in Saudi Arabia and begin your career now!
Saudi Arabia’s GDP per capita, like that of many other nations, fell in 2020. Luckily, things are improving, and the country’s GDP per capita is predicted to reach 21162.00 USD by the end of this year and continue to climb.
As Saudi Arabia’s economy recovers from the COVID-19 epidemic, the labor market is improving, particularly for certain high-paying positions.
For those who are looking to make a career change, as well as students who are wondering which career path will provide them with the most financial security, this guide will be very useful.
Read on to learn about the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia. We’re also breaking down the specific degrees and training that are required for job seekers to qualify for them.
What Salary Is Considered Rich in Saudi Arabia?
The average salary in Saudi Arabia is 260,562 SAR per year. However, the most typical salary is 101,276 SAR.
Average salaries differ quite a bit between men and women, too. For men, the average annual salary is 267,568 SAR. However, for women, it’s only 203,509 SAR.
To be considered “rich” in Saudi Arabia and live comfortably, most workers need to earn a salary that’s above 260,000 SAR per year. This would allow most people to live in a nice house and afford luxuries, such as travel, that would be out of reach for members of the country’s middle and lower classes.
Of course, “rich” is a relative term. It depends on a lot of factors. For example, if you have 5 children, a salary of 275,000 SAR will not get you as much as it would if you were single with no one else depending on your income.
What Is the #1 Highest-Paid Position in Saudi Arabia?
The highest-paid position in Saudi Arabia is Chief Executive Officer of a multinational company. For the CEO of this type of business, the average salary is around 33,021 SAR per month or a little less than 400,000 SAR per year, which is well above the country’s average salary.
Beyond Chief Executive Officers, there are plenty of other high-paying positions to work toward in Saudi Arabia. The following are the top 20 highest paying jobs the country has to offer:
20. Facilities Management Manager
Average Salary: 6,934 SAR per month
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19. Head Teacher/Principal
Average Annual Salary: 7,217 SAR per month
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18. Hotel General Manager
Average Salary: 10,404 SAR per month
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17. Real Estate Manager
Average Salary: 10,644 SAR per month
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16. Advertising Manager
Average Salary: 10,904 SAR per month
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15. Public Relations Manager
Average Salary: 11,036 SAR per month
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14. Marketing Director
Average Salary: 11,900 SAR per month
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13. Construction Project Manager
Average Salary: 11,911 SAR per month
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12. Information Technology Manager
Average Salary: 12,010 SAR per month
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11. Human Resources Manager
Average Salary: 12,957 SAR per month
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10. Pilot
Average Salary: 13,200 SAR per month
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9. Orthodontist
Average Salary: 17,800 SAR per month
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8. Cyber Security Engineer
Average Salary: 19,675 SAR per month
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7. Petroleum Engineer
Average Salary: 19,872 SAR per month
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6. Bank Manager
Average Salary: 21,100 SAR per month
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5. Lawyer
Average Salary: 22,4000 SAR per month
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4. Dentist
Average Salary: 22,585 SAR per month
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3. Judge
Average Salary: 27,700 per month
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2. Surgeon
Average Salary: 32,900 SAR per month
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1. Chief Executive Officer (MNC)
Average Salary: 33,021 SAR per month
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Top 5 Highest Paying Industries in Saudi Arabia
As with any job market in any country, certain industries in Saudi Arabia tend to pay better than others. The following are the top 5 highest paying industries in Saudi Arabia that you might want to consider working in if you’re eager to find a job that allows you to earn a generous salary:
1. Petroleum
Saudi Arabia is perhaps best known for its abundance of petroleum and other natural resources. The petroleum industry is one of the biggest contributors to the country’s GDP (according to the latest data, over 926 billion SAR). The majority of people who work in the petroleum industry in Saudi Arabia can expect to earn very generous salaries, whether they work on the business end or in a more practical, hands-on role.
The following are the top 3 highest paying jobs in the petroleum industry in Saudi Arabia:
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Petroleum Engineer: Average salary 19,872 SAR per month
- Geologist: Average salary 17,867 SAR per month
- Fuels Handler: Average salary 16,475 per month
Job Prospects
Because the petroleum industry is one of the most profitable industries in Saudi Arabia, it feels fairly safe to say that there will always be jobs available in this field. For those who want to enjoy a great deal of job security in addition to a high salary, one of the careers listed above would be a good choice to consider.
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2. Healthcare
As in other parts of the world, the healthcare industry is another major contributor to Saudi Arabia’s GDP. Over the last year and a half, in particular, healthcare workers have been instrumental in keeping the people of Saudi Arabia safe from COVID-19. There are many high-paying positions available in the healthcare and medical field in Saudi Arabia, including the following:
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Surgeon: Average salary 32,900 SAR per month
- Dentist: Average salary 22,585 SAR per month
- Orthodontist: Average salary 17,800 SAR per month
Job Prospects
Similar to the petroleum industry, the healthcare industry in Saudi Arabia will likely always have consistent job openings. Prospects look very good for those who want to pursue a career in healthcare here, especially in one of the top positions, such as surgeon, dentist, or orthodontist. General practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare workers don’t earn quite as much per year, but their salaries are still quite high.
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3. Banking and Finance
The banking and finance sector is another very lucrative industry in Saudi Arabia. Those who work in management roles in the country’s banks and financial institutions, in particular, can expect to earn very high salaries and live very comfortably. There are lots of opportunities to advance in this field, too, which also makes it appealing to ambitious people who want to continue rising through the ranks.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Bank Manager: Average Salary 21,100 SAR per month
- Branch Manager: Average Salary 17,550 SAR per month
- Investment Banking Analyst: Average Salary 16,000 SAR per month
Job Prospects
There’s always a strong need for financial experts in Saudi Arabia (and throughout the world). People will always need help managing their money, after all. This high demand makes the banking and finance industry a fairly safe one for anyone looking for a good deal of job security along with a high monthly salary.
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4. Construction
The construction industry in Saudi Arabia is another very strong industry with a lot of job opportunities. From residential construction to commercial construction, there are tons of options for those who want to work in the construction field and earn a good living. Listed below are the 3 highest-paying construction jobs worth considering in Saudi Arabia:
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Construction Project Manager: Average Salary 11,911 SAR per month
- Senior Civil Engineer: Average Salary 11,775 SAR per month
- Construction Inspector: Average Salary 9,665 SAR per month
Job Prospects
Jobs in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia may not pay as much as some other positions in other industries. However, they still come with quite generous salaries and can allow those who work in construction to live very comfortably. The strength of the construction industry and the consistency of the job availability is also a positive factor for a lot of workers.
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5. Information Technology
Finally, the information technology industry is another one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying industries in Saudi Arabia. This is a growing field with a lot of opportunities for workers to advance, earn promotions, and, of course, enjoy higher salaries as they put in more work over time. Here are the top 3 job titles to work toward in the information technology industry:
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Cyber Security Engineer: Average Salary 19,675 SAR per month
- Information Technology Manager: Average Salary 12,010 SAR per month
- Information Technology Engineer: Average Salary 9,759 SAR per month
Job Prospects
For those who want to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing industry, a career in the information technology field is a great option. There are already plenty of high-paying jobs in this industry, and more are being added every day. There are tons of opportunities for growth here, too, even for those who start in entry-level positions.
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Top 5 Highest Paying Jobs in Saudi Arabia for Fresh Graduates
There is some overlap between the best-paid jobs in Saudi Arabia and the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia for fresh graduates. At the same time, though, some of the positions listed above, such as CEO, for example, aren’t accessible to someone who’s recently graduated from university.
If you’re looking for a job that’ll help you earn a high salary as soon as you finish school, here are 5 great options to consider:
1. Surgeon
It indeed takes a long time to become a surgeon in Saudi Arabia (or in any other country). After all, you have to earn a pre-med degree, then attend medical school and complete an internship before you can practice. However, as soon as you graduate, finish your internship, and find a job at a hospital, you’ll start earning a high salary right away.
For those who don’t want to become surgeons, it’s worth noting that other medical professionals, such as general practitioners and nurses, can also earn high salaries right after graduating from school. This is why healthcare positions, for the most part, are considered good job options for students to pursue.
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2. Dentist
Dentists are another example of workers in Saudi Arabia who can earn a lot of money right out of school. It doesn’t take quite as long to become a dentist as it does a surgeon, but students will still have to put in quite a few years of work before they can graduate and begin practicing. They’ll need to complete a bachelor’s program in dentistry and pass an exam showing their competence.
The good news is that there’s a high demand for dentists in Saudi Arabia. Similar to other healthcare needs, people always need help when it comes to caring for their teeth and gums. Because of this strong need, there are plenty of opportunities for fresh graduates to find work, gain experience, and start earning a lot of money right away.
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3. Petroleum Engineer
For those who want to earn a high salary as soon as they graduate, a career as a petroleum engineer is a great choice. After all, petroleum engineers are some of the top earners in all of Saudi Arabia (this isn’t surprising when you consider the strength of the country’s petroleum industry).
To become a petroleum engineer, you’ll need to earn a Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. This typically takes around 4 years to complete, so you don’t have to put in as much work as you would need to become a doctor or dentist, for example.
It’s important to that all petroleum engineers, even when they’re working in junior or assistant positions, get paid very well. They also have lots of job options available throughout the country, as this is a very highly skilled and high-demand position.
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4. Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity engineers can also earn generous salaries as fresh graduates. With the information technology industry growing so quickly in Saudi Arabia, there are tons of opportunities for recent graduates to find jobs and start earning a lot of money very quickly.
There’s not one specific path that one needs to take to become a cybersecurity engineer. A degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field will give you a competitive edge, though, and make you more appealing to potential employers.
Of all the careers in information technology, a career in cybersecurity is one of the best paying. Cybersecurity engineers have a special skill set and perform tasks that a lot of others in the information technology industry can’t. This makes them valuable to a lot of companies and gives them more bargaining power when it comes to negotiating their salaries.
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5. Investment Banking Analyst
Investment banking analysts can make a lot of money as soon as they graduate, too. Once you graduate with a degree in finance (or a similar field) and find a banking job in Saudi Arabia, you can start earning a high salary right away in exchange for offering others advice about how to handle their investments and finances.
It doesn’t matter if you work with businesses or individuals. Either way, there are lots of opportunities to make a name for yourself as an investment banking analyst and get paid well for your expertise.
To land a career as an investment banking analyst, you’ll need a degree in finance, accounting, or another, similar field.
Like cybersecurity engineering, there’s not one specific path that one needs to take to become an investment banker. The more you know about the finance world, though, the better off you’ll be.
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What Degree Pays Most in Saudi Arabia?
If you want to land one of the best-paid jobs in Saudi Arabia or one of the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia for fresh graduates, you’ll need the right kind of degree. Outlined in the following chart are some of the top degrees to work toward if you want to earn a good salary as soon as you’re finished with school:
Degree Type
Potential Salary
Medical
32,900 SAR per month
Dental
22,585 SAR per month
Petroleum Engineering
19,872 SAR per month
Computer Science
19,675 SAR per month
Finance
16,000 SAR per month
It’s worth noting that these salaries are just estimates. There’s a lot of variation when it comes to salaries for fresh graduates. However, these estimates should give you a general idea of what you can earn if you decide to go down a specific path.
Time to Land One of the Highest Paying Jobs in Saudi Arabia
Now that you have a better understanding of the highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia, do you have a better idea of what you’d like to do with your career moving forward?
Keep this list in mind so you can choose a career path that pays well and aligns with your goals and interests. Then, you can start working on the skills and education needed to obtain that career.
If you need more help finding one of the best-paid jobs in Saudi Arabia, try using GrabJobs’ free job search tool. It streamlines the search process and helps you match with the right jobs easily.
