Quick Summary
- Engineering salaries in Saudi Arabia range from SAR 6,000 to SAR 45,000+/month depending on discipline and seniority
- Petroleum and chemical engineers command the highest salaries — especially at Saudi Aramco
- Total package including allowances is 30–50% above basic salary for most professional roles
- Vision 2030 mega-projects (NEOM, Red Sea Project, Diriyah) are driving significant demand and premium pay
- Western expat engineers typically earn 20–40% more than South Asian engineers in equivalent roles
- Always negotiate — first offers are rarely the best offers in Saudi engineering recruitment
Why Saudi Arabia for Engineers
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 transformation has created one of the world's largest concentrations of engineering projects. NEOM alone — a USD 500 billion+ mega-city project — requires tens of thousands of engineers across every discipline. Add the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Qiddiya, ROSHN and continued oil and gas expansion and Saudi Arabia's engineering job market is extraordinary in scale.
Combined with zero income tax, competitive salaries and strong EOSB entitlements, Saudi Arabia offers engineers one of the best financial propositions available globally for career-building years.
Civil and Structural Engineering Salaries
| Experience Level | Basic Salary Range | Total Package Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate / 0–3 years | SAR 5,000–8,000 | SAR 7,000–12,000 |
| Mid-level / 3–8 years | SAR 8,000–15,000 | SAR 12,000–22,000 |
| Senior / 8–15 years | SAR 15,000–25,000 | SAR 22,000–38,000 |
| Principal / Lead / 15+ years | SAR 22,000–38,000 | SAR 32,000–55,000 |
Mechanical Engineering Salaries
| Experience Level | Basic Salary Range | Total Package Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate / 0–3 years | SAR 5,000–8,500 | SAR 7,500–13,000 |
| Mid-level / 3–8 years | SAR 8,500–16,000 | SAR 13,000–24,000 |
| Senior / 8–15 years | SAR 16,000–28,000 | SAR 24,000–42,000 |
| Principal / Lead / 15+ years | SAR 25,000–42,000 | SAR 38,000–62,000 |
Electrical Engineering Salaries
| Experience Level | Basic Salary Range | Total Package Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate / 0–3 years | SAR 5,000–8,000 | SAR 7,000–12,000 |
| Mid-level / 3–8 years | SAR 8,000–15,000 | SAR 12,000–22,000 |
| Senior / 8–15 years | SAR 15,000–26,000 | SAR 22,000–39,000 |
| Principal / Lead / 15+ years | SAR 23,000–40,000 | SAR 34,000–58,000 |
Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Salaries
Petroleum engineers — particularly those working for Saudi Aramco or major IOCs — command the highest engineering salaries in Saudi Arabia:
| Experience Level | Basic Salary Range | Total Package Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate / 0–3 years | SAR 8,000–12,000 | SAR 12,000–18,000 |
| Mid-level / 3–8 years | SAR 12,000–22,000 | SAR 18,000–33,000 |
| Senior / 8–15 years | SAR 20,000–38,000 | SAR 30,000–57,000 |
| Principal / Specialist / 15+ years | SAR 35,000–65,000 | SAR 52,000–95,000 |
IT and Software Engineering Salaries
| Role / Experience | Basic Salary Range | Total Package Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Junior developer / 0–3 years | SAR 5,000–9,000 | SAR 7,000–13,000 |
| Mid-level developer / 3–7 years | SAR 9,000–18,000 | SAR 13,000–27,000 |
| Senior developer / 7+ years | SAR 16,000–28,000 | SAR 24,000–42,000 |
| IT Manager / Architect | SAR 22,000–40,000 | SAR 33,000–58,000 |
What Drives Salary Differences Within Disciplines
- Employer type: Saudi Aramco pays significantly more than most private sector employers — often 30–50% premium for equivalent roles. Government entities (NEOM, Public Investment Fund projects) also command premiums. Private sector construction companies typically pay at the lower end of ranges.
- Nationality: Western expats (UK, US, Australian, European) typically negotiate packages 20–40% above South Asian expats in equivalent technical roles. This gap is market reality — unfair as it is. South Asian engineers with strong specialisations and certifications can significantly close this gap.
- Professional certifications: PE (Professional Engineer), CEng (Chartered Engineer), PMP, and specialist certifications add meaningful salary premiums — often SAR 2,000–5,000/month above uncertified peers.
- Arabic language: Arabic-speaking engineers command a premium in roles requiring regular client interaction with Saudi organisations.
- Project type: NEOM and giga-project roles often pay 15–25% above equivalent roles in conventional construction or industrial projects.
Typical Engineer Package Components
- Basic salary (used for EOSB calculation)
- Housing allowance — 25–30% of basic salary or employer-provided accommodation
- Transport allowance — SAR 800–2,000/month or company car for senior levels
- Annual air ticket — economy to home country, business class for senior roles
- Health insurance — employer provided, quality varies
- School fees allowance — common for Western expat packages, less common for others
- Annual bonus — 1–3 months salary for strong performers in some companies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Saudi Aramco salary significantly better than other employers?
Yes — Saudi Aramco is widely considered the best-paying employer in Saudi Arabia for engineers. Beyond salary Aramco also provides excellent housing in dedicated compounds, comprehensive family benefits, medical and educational support and strong career development. Competition for Aramco positions is intense and the selection process rigorous. If you receive an Aramco offer it is almost always worth serious consideration.
Should I negotiate my Saudi engineering offer?
Always — without exception. The first offer for engineering roles in Saudi Arabia is rarely the best offer. Counter 10–20% above the basic salary offered and also negotiate housing allowance, transport and air ticket. Engineering talent — especially experienced specialists — is in demand and employers expect negotiation. A polite, professional counter backed by market data is the standard approach. See our full salary negotiation guide for scripts and strategy.
Engineering Offer to Review?
Book a consultation to have your offer benchmarked against current market rates and get a negotiation strategy tailored to your discipline and experience level.