Working in Riyadh: Jobs, Salaries & Guide 2026

City Overview: Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, a sprawling metropolis of over 8 million people at the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. Once a conservative desert capital known primarily for government administration and oil industry headquarters, Riyadh has undergone a dramatic transformation under Vision 2030, the kingdom's ambitious economic diversification plan. Today it is rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic cities in the Middle East for career opportunities.

The transformation is visible everywhere. The city is investing over $1 trillion in mega-projects including NEOM, The Line, Diriyah Gate, King Salman Park (the world's largest urban park), and the New Murabba district anchored by The Mukaab, a massive cube-shaped structure. Entertainment options that were unthinkable a decade ago, from cinemas and concerts to Formula E races and WWE events, now draw millions. Riyadh Season, the annual entertainment festival, has become one of the world's largest events.

For professionals, Riyadh represents perhaps the greatest concentration of opportunity in the GCC right now. The Saudi government has mandated that companies bidding for government contracts must have their regional headquarters in Riyadh by 2024, driving a massive influx of multinational corporations. Companies like Amazon, Google, Oracle, PwC, McKinsey, and hundreds of others have established or expanded their Riyadh presence. This creates a surge in hiring across nearly every professional discipline.

Top Industries Hiring in Riyadh

Technology & Digital Transformation

Saudi Arabia's digital transformation agenda is creating enormous demand for tech talent. The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Communications and IT Commission (CITC), and entities like LEAP conference (one of the world's largest tech events) demonstrate the kingdom's commitment. Companies like STC (Saudi Telecom), Elm, Mozn, and numerous homegrown startups are scaling rapidly. Software engineers, cloud architects, data scientists, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts are in acute demand, with salaries ranging from SAR 15,000-35,000 for mid-level roles and SAR 40,000-70,000+ for senior specialists.

Finance & Banking

Riyadh is the financial capital of Saudi Arabia, home to the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Tadawul stock exchange, and headquarters of major banks including Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank, and Banque Saudi Fransi. The emerging fintech ecosystem, supported by Fintech Saudi and SAMA's sandbox program, is creating new opportunities. Investment banking, compliance, risk management, wealth management, and Islamic finance roles offer strong demand and premium compensation.

Consulting & Professional Services

The Vision 2030 transformation has made Riyadh the busiest consulting market in the Middle East. McKinsey, BCG, Bain, PwC, EY, Deloitte, and KPMG have all expanded significantly. The demand for management consultants, strategy advisors, transformation specialists, and project management professionals is intense. Consultants in Riyadh often work on kingdom-defining projects across government, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Construction & Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia's construction sector is valued at over $1 trillion in planned and active projects. Riyadh-specific mega-projects include the Riyadh Metro (one of the world's largest public transit projects), Diriyah Gate, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and New Murabba. Civil engineers, project directors, quantity surveyors, HSE managers, and construction managers are in high demand. Major contractors like Saudi Binladin Group, Al Khodari, and international firms are actively recruiting.

Healthcare

Saudi Arabia is building a world-class healthcare system, and Riyadh is at its center. King Faisal Specialist Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and the expanding network of private hospitals (Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib, Mouwasat, NMC) create consistent demand for medical professionals. The healthcare sector is particularly focused on recruiting female professionals as part of the kingdom's workforce development goals.

Entertainment & Tourism

The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and Royal Commission for Riyadh City are transforming the capital into an entertainment destination. Riyadh Season, concert venues, theme parks, and sports events create demand for event managers, creative directors, hospitality professionals, and tourism specialists. This is an entirely new sector that barely existed five years ago.

Major Employers in Riyadh

• Saudi Aramco (regional offices): While headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco maintains significant Riyadh operations for government relations, corporate strategy, and downstream businesses.
• SABIC: One of the world's largest petrochemical companies, headquartered in Riyadh.
• STC Group: Saudi Arabia's leading telecommunications company, increasingly focused on digital services, cloud, and fintech.
• Public Investment Fund (PIF): The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest, driving investment across entertainment, sports, tourism, and technology.
• Al Rajhi Bank: World's largest Islamic bank by market capitalization.
• Saudi National Bank: The kingdom's largest bank by assets.
• Elm Company: Government-linked tech company providing digital services across multiple sectors.
• NEOM: The $500 billion mega-project has its headquarters and much of its planning operations in Riyadh.

Salary Overview

Riyadh salaries have surged in recent years due to the influx of multinational companies and intense competition for talent. Packages are often more generous than Dubai for equivalent roles, particularly when housing and benefits are included.

Typical monthly salary ranges in Riyadh:

• Entry Level (0-2 years): SAR 6,000-13,000
• Mid Level (3-7 years): SAR 13,000-28,000
• Senior Level (8-15 years): SAR 28,000-55,000
• Executive/Director: SAR 55,000-150,000+

Note that Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax on employment income, though employers pay social insurance contributions (GOSI) of 2% deducted from the employee's basic salary. Total packages typically include housing allowance (often 25% of basic salary or SAR 5,000-20,000/month), annual flights, medical insurance for the family, and end-of-service benefits.

Cost of Living in Riyadh

Riyadh's cost of living has been rising but remains competitive compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, particularly for housing.

Housing (Monthly Rent)

• 1-bedroom apartment (city center): SAR 3,000-6,000
• 2-bedroom apartment (city center): SAR 5,000-9,000
• 3-bedroom apartment: SAR 7,000-14,000
• Villa compound: SAR 12,000-25,000
• Furnished apartment (short-term): SAR 6,000-12,000

Transportation

• Riyadh Metro (opening 2025-2026): Expected SAR 4-8 per trip
• Petrol: SAR 2.33 per liter (subsidized)
• Taxi / ride-hailing (Careem, Uber): SAR 15-50 per trip
• Car lease: SAR 1,500-3,000/month

Daily Living

• Groceries for a couple: SAR 1,500-2,500/month
• Dining out (mid-range): SAR 40-100 per person
• Utilities: SAR 300-800/month
• Mobile plan: SAR 150-300/month
• Gym membership: SAR 200-500/month
• International school: SAR 30,000-100,000/year per child

A comfortable single lifestyle in Riyadh requires approximately SAR 10,000-16,000 monthly, while families should budget SAR 22,000-40,000 depending on compound living and school choices.

Neighborhoods and Areas for Expats

• King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD): The newest and most modern business district. High-rise offices, luxury apartments, and connected to the Riyadh Metro. Premium pricing but excellent for finance and consulting professionals.
• Diplomatic Quarter (DQ): Established expat neighborhood with embassy compounds, international schools, parks, and a sense of community. Popular with families and diplomats. Relatively expensive but well-serviced.
• Al Olaya / Al Tahlia: The traditional commercial heart of Riyadh. Mix of offices, shopping malls (Kingdom Centre, Faisaliyah), and residential options. Central location with good connectivity.
• Al Malqa / Al Narjis: Northern suburbs popular with families. Newer villas and compounds, proximity to international schools, and quieter atmosphere.
• Exit 5-16 areas: Riyadh locals often reference neighborhoods by highway exit numbers. Areas around exits 5-10 are more central and expensive; exits 13-16 are northern suburbs with newer developments.
• Compounds: Gated residential communities remain popular with Western expats. They offer pools, gyms, social facilities, and a more relaxed social environment. Expect SAR 12,000-25,000/month for compound living.

Transportation in Riyadh

Riyadh is a car-centric city, but this is changing rapidly:

• Riyadh Metro: A six-line, 176-station metro system is nearing completion and will transform city mobility when fully operational. It will be one of the largest driverless metro networks in the world.
• Ride-hailing: Careem and Uber are the primary options. Rides are affordable and widely available. Many expats rely entirely on ride-hailing.
• Personal vehicles: Driving is common and roads are well-maintained. Traffic can be intense during rush hours. Women have been able to drive since 2018.
• Taxis: Traditional taxis are available but less common than ride-hailing apps.
• Intercity: SAR Railway connects to Dammam/Eastern Province. Flights to Jeddah take 90 minutes.

Job Search Tips for Riyadh

1. Target the RHQ wave: Hundreds of multinationals are setting up regional headquarters in Riyadh. Check corporate career pages for new Riyadh office openings, as these companies are actively building teams from scratch.
2. Leverage the LEAP ecosystem: The annual LEAP tech conference in Riyadh is a major networking and recruitment event. Attend, exhibit, or volunteer to connect with tech employers.
3. Understand Saudization requirements: Saudi Arabia's Nitaqat program requires companies to employ minimum percentages of Saudi nationals. This affects hiring patterns, with some roles reserved for Saudis. Expats should target specialized roles where international expertise is specifically sought.
4. Use Saudi-focused platforms: Beyond LinkedIn, use Bayt.com, GulfTalent, Mihnati, and Tawteen (for government-affiliated roles). Wadhefa is popular for Arabic-language job listings.
5. Work with specialist recruiters: Hays, Michael Page, Robert Half, Charterhouse, and regional specialists like Propel Consult actively place professionals in Riyadh.
6. Prepare for cultural adjustment: Riyadh has modernized significantly, but it is still more conservative than Dubai. Prayer times affect business schedules, social norms differ, and the pace of daily life follows a different rhythm. Approach with openness and respect.

Insider Strategies: Thriving in Riyadh's Job Market

Experienced Riyadh professionals offer these advanced insights:

• Build Saudi professional relationships: Riyadh's business culture is deeply relationship-driven. Invest time in building genuine relationships with Saudi colleagues and clients. Coffee meetings, shared meals, and social gatherings are important business activities.
• Monitor PIF portfolio companies: The Public Investment Fund's portfolio companies represent the most dynamic hiring opportunities in the kingdom. Track PIF announcements for new ventures and expansions.
• Consider government advisory roles: Vision 2030 has created thousands of advisor, consultant, and subject matter expert roles across government entities. These positions often come with premium packages and impactful work.
• Learn Arabic basics: While English is widely used in multinational and expat-heavy environments, basic Arabic significantly accelerates your integration and demonstrates commitment to the local market.
• Understand the compound vs. city living trade-off: Compounds offer social convenience and a Western-style environment, but living in city neighborhoods provides deeper cultural immersion and better Arabic practice. Your choice affects both your lifestyle and career networking.