Key Facts: Saudi Arabia vs Palestine Wages
- Saudi Arabia Minimum Wage
- ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD)
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Saudi Arabia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼10,500 /mo ($2,800 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; minimum wage for Saudi nationals at SAR 4,000/mo unchanged since March 2021 Nitaqat reforms (2026-05-04), Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Saudi Arabia
Palestine
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is roughly 108 times lower than in Palestine in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,800/mo in Saudi Arabia versus $1,137/mo in Palestine, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Saudi Arabia is 16.3x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Saudi Arabia has higher GDP per capita ($71,375 vs $4,371). Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Palestine's 24.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Saudi Arabia | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼23.08 $6.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₪86 $30.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼4,000 $1,066.67 | ₪1,880 $667.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼48,000 $12,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Saudi Arabia is higher.
Work Week
- Saudi Arabia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 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).
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Saudi Arabia earns 10749% less per hour in USD terms than one in Palestine. Standard work weeks differ: Saudi Arabia mandates 48 hours while Palestine mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Saudi Arabia are $295 vs $30,048 in Palestine.
See this comparison from Palestine's perspective: Palestine vs Saudi Arabia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Saudi Arabia or Palestine?
In Saudi Arabia, the minimum wage is ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD). In Palestine, it is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 10749% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Saudi Arabia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Saudi Arabia compared to Palestine?
The average gross salary in Saudi Arabia is ﷼10,500/mo ($2,800 USD), compared to ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD) in Palestine. In USD terms, workers in Saudi Arabia earn approximately 146% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Saudi Arabia and Palestine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Saudi Arabia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Palestine.
How do work hours compare between Saudi Arabia and Palestine?
Saudi Arabia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Palestine. Workers in Saudi Arabia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Palestine working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Saudi Arabia and Palestine?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Saudi Arabia has the higher GDP per capita at $71,375, which is 16.3x that of Palestine at $4,371. From Saudi Arabia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.