Saudi Arabia remains a magnet for expats and foreign professionals seeking lucrative careers.
While the Kingdom does not prominently rank among top countries in salary, its robust economy, driven by oil, finance, healthcare, and technology, offers some of the highest salaries in the Middle East. Below are the top-paying jobs for expats, their annual salary ranges, brief role descriptions, and the biggest employers in each sector.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CEOs oversee company strategy, operations, and growth, making high-stakes decisions for large organizations.
- Salary Range: SAR600,000 – 1,800,000 per year (approx. $160,000 – 480,000).
- Biggest Employers: Saudi Aramco, SABIC, National Commercial Bank, Al Rajhi Bank.
Medical Professionals (Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Specialists)
Highly specialized doctors performing surgeries and advanced treatments in hospitals and clinics.
- Salary Range: SAR480,000 – 1,200,000 per year (approx. $128,000 – 320,000).
- Biggest Employers: Ministry of Health, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group.
Petroleum Engineer
Designs and manages methods for extracting oil and gas, a critical role in Saudi’s primary industry.
- Salary Range: SAR300,000 – 900,000 per year (approx. $80,000 – 240,000).
- Biggest Employers: Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger, SABIC.
Construction Project Manager
Oversees large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely and quality completion.
- Salary Range: SAR120,000 – 360,000 per year (approx. $32,000 – 96,000).
- Biggest Employers: Saudi Binladin Group, Bechtel, Nesma & Partners.
IT & Cybersecurity Specialist
Manages IT infrastructure, security, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Salary Range: SAR180,000 – 480,000 per year (approx. $48,000 – 128,000).
- Biggest Employers: STC, Elm, SAP, Oracle.
Banking & Finance Executive
Includes CFOs, finance managers, and investment bankers responsible for financial strategy and operations.
- Salary Range: SAR240,000 – 720,000 per year (approx. $64,000 – 192,000).
- Biggest Employers: National Commercial Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Samba Financial Group.
Airline Pilot
Operates commercial flights, ensuring passenger safety and efficient travel.
- Salary Range: SAR160,000 – 400,000 per year (approx. $43,000 – 107,000).
- Biggest Employers: Saudia, Flynas, SaudiGulf Airlines.
Jobs exclusive to Saudi citizens (Saudization/Nitaqat Policy)
Certain roles are reserved exclusively for Saudi nationals, especially in government, HR, and public sector positions. These include:
- Government administrative roles
- HR managers in Saudi companies
- Certain sales and retail positions
- Security and military jobs
This policy, known as Saudization, aims to increase local employment and restricts expat hiring in these fields.
Top 7 highest-paying jobs for expats
| Job Title | Salary Range (SAR/year) | Salary Range ($/year) | Top Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | 600,000 – 1,800,000 | 160,000 – 480,000 | Saudi Aramco, SABIC, NCB |
| Medical Professional | 480,000 – 1,200,000 | 128,000 – 320,000 | MOH, King Faisal Hospital |
| Petroleum Engineer | 300,000 – 900,000 | 80,000 – 240,000 | Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger |
| Construction Project Manager | 120,000 – 360,000 | 32,000 – 96,000 | Binladin Group, Bechtel |
| IT & Cybersecurity Specialist | 180,000 – 480,000 | 48,000 – 128,000 | STC, Elm, SAP |
| Banking & Finance Executive | 240,000 – 720,000 | 64,000 – 192,000 | NCB, Al Rajhi Bank |
| Airline Pilot | 160,000 – 400,000 | 43,000 – 107,000 | Saudia, Flynas |
Highest paid jobs among Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia
Filipino professionals and skilled workers in Saudi Arabia occupy a range of high-paying roles, especially in healthcare, engineering, hospitality, and technical sectors.
Below is an updated list of the highest paid jobs among Filipino workers, including job descriptions, salary ranges, and the biggest employers in each field.
Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Petroleum)
Filipino engineers are highly valued for their technical expertise in infrastructure, oil & gas, and industrial projects. Responsibilities include project management, system design, site supervision, and quality assurance.
Healthcare Professionals (Nurses, Medical Technologists, Allied Health)
Filipino nurses and allied health workers are in high demand, providing patient care, clinical support, and specialized medical services in hospitals and clinics.
Hospitality Managers and Chefs
Filipinos in hospitality management and as chefs oversee hotel operations, food quality, and guest services in luxury hotels and resorts. Pastry chefs and executive chefs are especially well-compensated.
IT & Cybersecurity Specialists
Filipino IT professionals manage network security, software development, and digital transformation projects, supporting Saudi Arabia’s rapid digitalization.
Project Managers (Construction & Oil/Gas)
Overseeing large-scale construction and energy projects, Filipino project managers are responsible for planning, execution, and delivery, often leading multinational teams.
Airline Pilots and Aviation Professionals
Filipino pilots and aviation staff operate commercial flights, ensuring passenger safety and efficient airline operations.
Senior Sales & Marketing Executives
Responsible for driving revenue, managing client portfolios, and expanding market reach for major retail and FMCG brands.
| Job Title | Salary Range (SAR/month) | Salary Range (SAR/year) | Biggest Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers (Civil, Mech, Petro, etc) | 8,000 – 15,000 | 96,000 – 180,000 | Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Bechtel, Nesma, Binladin Group |
| Healthcare Professionals | 5,000 – 10,000 | 60,000 – 120,000 | Ministry of Health, King Faisal Hospital, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib, John Hopkins Aramco Healthcare |
| Hospitality Managers & Chefs | 6,000 – 12,000 | 72,000 – 144,000 | Accor Hotels, SLS Hotels, Red Sea Global |
| IT & Cybersecurity Specialists | 7,000 – 14,000 | 84,000 – 168,000 | STC, Elm, SAP, Oracle |
| Project Managers | 10,000 – 18,000 | 120,000 – 216,000 | NEOM, Red Sea Development, Saudi Aramco, Bechtel |
| Airline Pilots & Aviation | 13,000 – 20,000 | 156,000 – 240,000 | Saudia Airlines, Flynas, SaudiGulf Airlines |
| Senior Sales & Marketing Executives | 8,000 – 14,000 | 96,000 – 168,000 | Panda Retail, Carrefour, FMCG brands |
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s job market offers exceptional opportunities for expats, especially in sectors like oil, healthcare, finance, and technology. While some high-paying roles are open to foreigners, others remain exclusive to Saudi citizens due to Saudization.
Filipino workers continue to play a vital role in healthcare, construction, and service industries. For those seeking a rewarding career in the Kingdom, targeting these high-demand fields can lead to impressive financial and professional growth.