Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Riyadh
They say there’s no such thing as the perfect job. But one that pays you well enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle comes pretty close.
Saudi Arabia is developing by leaps and bounds, and such jobs are becoming easier to come by. The country has thousands of megaprojects in the pipeline. As its largest city, Riyadh benefits greatly from the ongoing development and offers many career-building opportunities with its current per-capita GDP of $24,224.38. For a fresh graduate entering the workforce or even an old horse looking to switch careers, salaries can be a deciding factor between two seemingly tempting opportunities. So, we’re covering 20 highest paying jobs in Riyadh in this blog to help you make an informed decision about your career prospects.
What salary is considered “rich" in Riyadh?
In Riyadh, the cost of living per person, excluding rent, is 2,926 SAR. A worker earns 17,600 SAR (approximately $4690) per month on average. However, average salaries differ considerably between men and women, and across different industries. While the average salary for men is 267,568 SAR annually, women make 203,509 SAR annually. Healthcare workers take home an average of 101,000 SAR annually, those in Education make approximately 225,000 SAR yearly, and jobs in Legal pay an average of 242,000 SAR yearly.
To be “rich” in Riyadh, you’d have to earn an annual average of 260,000 SAR. A salary like that would allow you to live a rather luxurious lifestyle with a comfortable home and many a travel plan.
What Is the #1 Highest-Paid Position in Riyadh?
The highest-paying position in Riyadh is that of a Chief Executive Officer of a multinational company. The average salary of a CEO in Riyadh is a whooping 34,700 SAR per month, way above the average salary and enough to live a rich lifestyle.
Not on the path of becoming a CEO? Don’t let those figures disappoint you! Riyadh has a lot to offer you. Here’s a list of the 20 highest-paying jobs in Riyadh across various industries:
20. Head Teacher/Principal: Average Annual Salary: 7,217 SAR per month
19. Hotel General Manager: Average Salary: 10,404 SAR per month
18. Real Estate Manager: Average Salary: 10,644 SAR per month
17. Advertising Manager: Average Salary: 10,904 SAR per month
16. Public Relations Manager: Average Salary: 11,036 SAR per month
15. Marketing Director: Average Salary: 11,900 SAR per month
14. Construction Project Manager: Average Salary: 11,911 SAR per month
13. Information Technology Manager: Average Salary: 12,010 SAR per month
12. Human Resources Manager: Average Salary: 12,957 SAR per month
11. Pilot: Average Salary: 13,200 SAR per month
10. Orthodontist: Average Salary: 17,800 SAR per month
9. Cyber Security Engineer: Average Salary: 19,675 SAR per month
8. Petroleum Engineer: Average Salary: 19,872 SAR per month
7. Lawyer: Average Salary: 22,4000 SAR per month
6. Dentist: Average Salary: 22,585 SAR per month
5. Petroleum Geologist: Average Salary: 26,100 SAR per month
4. Judge: Average Salary: 27,700 per month
3. Bank Manager: Average Salary: 28,000 SAR per month
2. Surgeon: Average Salary: 32,900 SAR per month
1. Chief Executive Officer (MNC): Average Salary: 34,700 SAR per month
Top 5 Highest Paying Industries in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia has long been known as one of the highest paying Gulf countries with several employment opportunities. But you can most certainly expect a higher paycheck if you choose to work for any of the top 5 highest paying industries in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia homes 15 percent of the world’s proven petroleum reserves. It is the world’s largest exporter of crude oil and maintains the largest crude oil production capacity approximating 12 million barrels per day. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this industry is at the top of our list. Its vast resources make room for some of the most respectable professions in Riyadh.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Petroleum Geologist – Average monthly salary: 26,100 SAR per month
- Power Plant Manager –Average monthly salary: 20,400 SAR per month
- Petroleum Engineer –Average salary: 19,872 SAR per month
Job prospects: In 2020 the country’s crude oil production saw its lowest in 10 years with a production of 9.2 million b/d. This was the consequence of the April 2020 OPEC+ agreement to reduce oil production. But regardless of the dip in production, the job sector continues to provide lucrative opportunities.
Healthcare is one of the best industries to venture into in Riyadh. The city has some of the most sophisticated hospitals in all of Middle East and the country itself is predicted to become a regional hub for medicine by year 2023.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Surgeon –Average salary: 32,900 SAR per month
- Administrative Director –Average Salary: 28,400 SAR per month
- Anaesthesiologist –Average Salary: 26,100 SAR per month
Job prospects: The country is set to invest SR250 billion in healthcare infrastructure and boost private sector participation. This will increase its current participation of 40 percent to a staggering 65 percent by 2030, according to a recent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) report. With such strides being made, Riyadh is sure to open multiple doors for those seeking a job in the healthcare sector.
The roles available within the banking and finance sector account for some of the highest-paying jobs on our list. In 2020 the country’s largest bank achieved a net operating revenue of SAR21.5 billion, making 2020 the most profitable year in recent years. This resulted in an impressive increase in income of 7% in its retail banking operations.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Bank Manager –Average Salary: 28,000 SAR per month
- Branch Manager: Average Salary 21,200 SAR per month
- Fraud Analyst: Average Salary 18,000 SAR per month
Job prospects: The Financial Sector Development Programme launched in 2017 in the Kingdom achieved a milestone by creating 550,000 new jobs within a short span of four years, as a part of its Vision 2030. A large part of these jobs came to be in Riyadh and more job openings are likely to follow with hundreds of projects lined up as a part of the plan.
If buildings fascinate you in some capacity, an array of jobs in this industry are waiting for you in Riyadh. Whether you seek an opportunity as an architect, an engineer, or a construction manager, you will not be disappointed on your job hunt. The industry, like many others across the world, took a hit during the pandemic. However, is predicted to recover by 3.2% in 2022 and expand to 4.3% in the following years.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Installation Manager – Average Salary: 17,600 SAR per month
- Engineer –Average Salary: 14,400 SAR per month
- Property coordinator –Average Salary: 13,000 SAR per month
Job prospects: While the salaries in this industry may be significantly lesser than those of its predecessors on this list, it’s still worth considering given the promising growth of the sector in the years to follow. You’re unlikely to ever run out of job opportunities in this sector considering the many efforts being made by the Kingdom to improve its infrastructure.
The wave of digital transformation is fast sweeping across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is bringing many opportunities to its capital, Riyadh. Riyadh is also home to some of the biggest information technology Trade Shows and boasts of a robust IT infrastructure.
Top 3 Job Titles and Salaries
- Chief Information Officer –Average Salary: 27,000 SAR per month
- IT Project Manager –Average Salary: 24,100 SAR per month
- IT Sales Manager –Average Salary: 21,900 SAR per month
Job prospects: IT is one of the few industries where entry-level jobs also have decent-paying potential. There is plenty of room to grow and secure the highest paying roles if one is set on their path. Riyadh’s developing infrastructure ensures a bright future for anyone considering taking up a career in IT.
Top 5 Highest Paying Jobs in Riyadh for fresh graduates
While the highest-paying jobs require honing the skillset for years, it’s not to say that fresh graduates can’t earn a decent buck right out of college. You may not be able to land a CEO gig or become a surgeon right out of med school, but some careers can still offer you an entry-level job that doesn’t pay in peanuts. Here’s a list of the top 5 highest-paying jobs for fresh graduates.
The job of a financial analyst is to evaluate a company’s financial performance by reviewing financial data, making reports, and forming predictions based on their findings. As mentioned before, Vision 2030 has opened a plethora of doors in this sector, and rest assured, fresh graduates are welcome on board as well. To become a financial analyst, you need to get a bachelor’s in financial services. Further down your career path, you may apply for a license to better your job prospects, but you’ll easily land an entry-level job in banking or accounting without one too.
Petroleum engineers develop methods to successfully extract and recover oil and gas for their country. In Riyadh, given the popularity of the petroleum industry, these jobs are in abundance. To be employed as an engineer, one needs to obtain a bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering or an equivalent degree which grants them access to the workforce. The program typically lasts for four years and doesn’t require you to follow it up with an internship.
Computer scientists typically write programs to create applications. The job includes designing, implementing, and measuring the efficiency of systems, processes, components, or programs in computers. Computer scientists are always in demand due to our increasing reliance on technology, and Riyadh is no different. Programming professionals in IT often manage to secure well-paying jobs after completing a 4-year-long Bachelor’s program. A career in technology as a computer scientist is highly rewarding and offers a lot of scope for growth, especially in Riyadh because of the massive strides being made in Saudi Arabia in the IT sector.
Registered nurses implement and supervise the treatment plan of a patient and look after their needs. The job is one of the hardest ones in the healthcare industry but also one of the most rewarding ones. Their contribution to the wellbeing and recovery of a patient is irreplaceable and the same became evident in not just Riyadh, but all over the world during pandemic times. To be employed as a nurse you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and obtain a license after clearing an exam. While the salary of a nurse may not be as high as a surgeon’s, it’s also a career you can embark on straight out of med school without spending years in residencies and internships.
Mechanical engineers are responsible for designing machines that produce power such as internal combustion engines, steam or gas turbines. They also design machines that use power, such as air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and so on. A bachelor’s in technology is mandatory if you’re thinking about choosing Mechanical Engineering as a career. Riyadh is consistently developing its infrastructure and machinery is going to be a big part of this development. It’s safe to assume thus that companies will be on the lookout for talented engineers to aid in the development.
The salaries mentioned are an estimate derived from a number of surveys. It’s crucial to note that offers can and may differ across companies taking into account several variables such as education, industry, and skills demonstrated during interview rounds. What Degree Pays Most in Riyadh?
The right qualification lands you the right job. Your degree (and the time spent getting it!) is worth a lot. How much is a lot, you ask? Well, here’s a list of degrees that fetch high-paying jobs even at entry-level positions.
Degree Type | Potential Salary |
Bachelors in Financial Services | 21,000 SAR per month |
Bachelors in Petroleum Engineering | 19,872 SAR per month |
Bachelors in Computer Science | 19,000 SAR per month |
Bachelors of Science in Nursing | 16,100 SAR per month |
B. Tech | 14,000 SAR per month |
That was all about the highest-paying jobs in Riyadh! The list is one to save if you’re looking to switch careers or are a fresh graduate jumping into the workforce with both feet. Keep in mind that your qualifications, experience, and skillset largely impact what you earn. If your dream is to land one of these high-paying jobs in Riyadh, you may need more than just a bachelor’s to plead your case. Invest in higher education, diplomas, or even certificates to upgrade your skillset. Your resume doesn’t replace your personality, but one decorated with credible qualifications is more likely to reach the top of the pile!
Are you ready to apply for a high-paying job in Riyadh? Do you need help improving your skills so you can qualify for one of the jobs?
If so, check out the GrabJobs Career Resources guide so you can expand your knowledge, increase your chance of getting hired, and set yourself up to land a high-paying career.
Photo by ekrem osmanoglu on Unsplash
