Key Facts: Saudi Arabia Wages
- Country
- Saudi Arabia (SAU)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- Saudi Riyal (SAR)
- Minimum Wage
- ﷼23.08 /hr ($6.15 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼10,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- ﷼126,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; minimum wage for Saudi nationals at SAR 4,000/mo unchanged since March 2021 Nitaqat reforms
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Saudi Arabia — Average Salary & Wages
Saudi Riyal (SAR) Data verified Jan 2021 Sources
The average salary in Saudi Arabia is
﷼126,000 a year
After tax, take-home pay is about ﷼126,000 a year.
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is ﷼10,500 ($2,800 USD).
Saudi Arabia's minimum wage is among the highest for Asia, ranking #4 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 8 years, the minimum wage has increased by 33% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 48 hours.
Average for Saudi nationals in the private sector. Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, so gross equals net for salary income. GOSI (social insurance) contributions of 9.75% are deducted for Saudis but this is a social contribution rather than tax. Expatriate average salaries are significantly lower, typically SAR 3,000-5,000/mo.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2013, the minimum wage has grown +33% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Saudi Arabia, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $12.48/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Saudi Arabia earns ﷼4,000/mo. That is 38% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- ﷼4,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 38% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $1,066.67/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +33% since 2013
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- ﷼23.08
- Monthly
- ﷼4,000
- Annual
- ﷼48,000Based on 12 monthly payments
Saudi Arabia's minimum wage applies exclusively to Saudi nationals employed in the private sector and is tied to the Nitaqat (quota) Saudization system. Expatriate workers have no statutory minimum wage and their compensation is governed by individual employment contracts. Public sector Saudi employees have a separate, higher salary scale. The SAR 4,000/mo floor was raised from SAR 3,000 in March 2021 as part of labor market reforms under Vision 2030.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Saudi Labour Law sets 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week (6-day week). During Ramadan, reduced to 6 hrs/day, 36 hrs/week for Muslim employees. Overtime capped at 2 hrs/day. Overtime paid at base hourly rate + 50%. Friday is the standard weekly rest day. Government sector works 35 hrs/week (Sun-Thu).
How Saudi Arabia Compares
| Metric | Saudi Arabia | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $6.15/hr | $2.61/hr | $11.89/hr (Israel) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $2,800/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Taiwan | $6.11 |
| Sint Maarten | $6.11 |
| Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | $6.06 |
| Portugal | $6.04 |
| Greece | $6.04 |
| Saudi Arabia | $6.15 |
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Saudi Arabia on our sister site.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia?
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is ﷼23.08/hr (approximately $6.15 USD), effective since 2021-03-14. Saudi Arabia's minimum wage applies exclusively to Saudi nationals employed in the private sector and is tied to the Nitaqat (quota) Saudization system. Expatriate workers have no statutory minimum wage and their compensation is governed by individual employment contracts. Public sector Saudi employees have a separate, higher salary scale. The SAR 4,000/mo floor was raised from SAR 3,000 in March 2021 as part of labor market reforms under Vision 2030.
What is the average salary in Saudi Arabia?
The average gross monthly salary in Saudi Arabia is ﷼10,500 (approximately $2,800 USD). Average for Saudi nationals in the private sector. Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, so gross equals net for salary income. GOSI (social insurance) contributions of 9.75% are deducted for Saudis but this is a social contribution rather than tax. Expatriate average salaries are significantly lower, typically SAR 3,000-5,000/mo. Source: General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Saudi Arabia?
The standard work week in Saudi Arabia is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Saudi Labour Law sets 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week (6-day week). During Ramadan, reduced to 6 hrs/day, 36 hrs/week for Muslim employees. Overtime capped at 2 hrs/day. Overtime paid at base hourly rate + 50%. Friday is the standard weekly rest day. Government sector works 35 hrs/week (Sun-Thu).
How has the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia changed over time?
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia has changed as follows: ﷼3,000 in 2013, ﷼4,000 in 2021. This represents 2 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Saudi Arabia in USD?
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia converts to approximately $6.15/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Saudi Arabia in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Saudi Arabia is approximately $2,800 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Saudi Arabia's minimum wage compare to the Asia average?
Saudi Arabia's minimum wage ranks #4 out of 34 countries with statutory minimum wages in Asia, placing it among the highest in Asia.
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