Data Scientist Salary in Oman: Complete Compensation Guide 2026

Data Scientist Compensation in Oman

Oman is the GCC’s quiet achiever in data science—a market that receives far less attention than Dubai or Riyadh but offers a genuinely compelling combination of meaningful work, competitive compensation adjusted for cost of living, and a quality of life that is arguably unmatched in the Gulf. The Sultanate’s Oman Vision 2040 has designated technology and innovation as a strategic pillar for economic diversification, driving increased investment in AI infrastructure, data governance frameworks, and the development of local and expatriate data science talent. For professionals who value a balanced lifestyle, proximity to stunning natural landscapes, and the opportunity to contribute to the early stages of a country’s AI transformation, Oman represents an opportunity that few other destinations can match.

The Omani data science market is smaller and less mature than those of the UAE or Saudi Arabia, but it is growing steadily. The key drivers of demand are the energy sector (Oman’s OQ Group and Petroleum Development Oman are among the largest employers), telecommunications (Omantel, the national telecom provider), the government’s Information Technology Authority (ITA), and a nascent but expanding cluster of tech companies and startups in the Muscat technology corridor. The market is particularly interesting for Data Scientists who want to play foundational roles—building data science practices from scratch, establishing MLOps pipelines in organizations that are deploying their first production models, and shaping data strategy at the organizational level.

Salary Overview by Experience Level

Data Scientist salaries in Oman are denominated in Omani Rial (OMR), a currency pegged to the US Dollar at approximately 1 OMR = USD 2.60. While base salaries are generally lower than in the UAE or Qatar, Oman’s significantly lower cost of living means that effective purchasing power and savings rates can be surprisingly competitive. The following ranges represent monthly base salaries.

Entry-Level (0–2 years): OMR 700–1,100 per month (approximately USD 1,820–2,860). Junior Data Scientists with a Master’s degree in data science, statistics, or machine learning enter in this range. Graduates from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), or international institutions with strong quantitative programs are competitive. Candidates with solid Python, SQL, and scikit-learn skills start at the lower end, while those with additional deep learning experience, cloud platform certifications, or relevant industry internships command OMR 900–1,100. The energy sector and Omantel typically offer the higher end of entry-level compensation.

Mid-Level (3–6 years): OMR 1,100–1,800 per month (approximately USD 2,860–4,680). Data Scientists at this stage independently design and execute ML projects, build data pipelines, and deliver actionable insights to business stakeholders. Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, TensorFlow or PyTorch, and at least one cloud ML platform is expected. The energy sector pays at the upper end (OMR 1,400–1,800) due to domain complexity and the resources of major energy companies, while telecommunications and government roles cluster around OMR 1,100–1,400. Specialization in time series analysis, predictive maintenance, or geospatial analytics adds particular value in Oman’s energy-dominated market.

Senior Level (7–10 years): OMR 1,800–2,700 per month (approximately USD 4,680–7,020). Senior Data Scientists lead teams, architect production ML systems, and set data strategy. At this level, MLOps capabilities, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to build data science culture within organizations that may be early in their AI journey are highly valued. OQ Analytics, Omantel Data, and ITA offer the highest senior-level compensation, with total packages (including benefits) that can exceed OMR 4,000 monthly.

Principal / Lead / Executive Level (10+ years): OMR 2,700–4,200 per month (approximately USD 7,020–10,920). Heads of Data Science, Directors of Analytics, and Chief Data Officers at major Omani organizations command these salaries. These roles are rare in Oman’s developing market, which means that qualified candidates face limited competition. PhD holders with significant industry experience and a track record of building data science organizations are preferred. Executive perks at this level include premium housing, family education coverage, annual flights, and performance bonuses of two to four months of salary.

Energy Sector: Oman’s Data Science Anchor

The energy sector is the backbone of Oman’s economy and the largest employer of Data Scientists in the country. Two organizations dominate: OQ Group (formerly Oman Oil Company and ORPIC) and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), a joint venture between the Omani government and Shell.

OQ Group and OQ Analytics: OQ is an integrated energy company involved in exploration, production, refining, and marketing of oil and gas products. OQ Analytics, the data science and AI division, employs Data Scientists for predictive maintenance of refinery and petrochemical plant equipment, production optimization using reservoir simulation and ML-augmented models, supply chain demand forecasting, energy trading analytics, and environmental monitoring including emissions tracking and water resource management.

The scale of OQ’s operations generates massive datasets from industrial IoT sensors, SCADA systems, geological surveys, and financial transactions. Data Scientists working on these problems apply time series forecasting, anomaly detection, survival analysis, and physics-informed machine learning to challenges with direct operational and financial impact. Compensation reflects the energy sector premium: mid-level Data Scientists earn OMR 1,400–1,800 with housing and transport allowances that can add 35–45% to base salary.

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO): PDO produces the majority of Oman’s crude oil and natural gas. The company has invested in digital oilfield technologies, using Data Scientists for drilling parameter optimization, well performance prediction, seismic data interpretation augmented by ML, and equipment failure prediction across thousands of wells and facilities spread across Oman’s vast concession areas. PDO offers some of the most comprehensive expatriate packages in Oman, including company housing in residential communities, full family medical coverage, children’s education support, and regular flights home.

Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure

Omantel, the Sultanate’s primary telecommunications provider, is the second major employer of Data Scientists in Oman. The company operates fixed-line, mobile, and internet services across the country and has international wholesale operations that provide connectivity across the Indian Ocean cable network.

Omantel’s data division employs Data Scientists for network capacity planning and demand forecasting, customer churn prediction and retention analytics, usage pattern analysis for tariff optimization, location-based analytics using mobile network data, and fraud detection for telecommunications billing. The company has also invested in smart city pilot projects in collaboration with Omani government entities, creating roles that combine telecommunications data with urban analytics.

Compensation at Omantel is competitive within the Omani market: mid-level Data Scientists earn OMR 1,200–1,600, with benefits including housing, transport, medical, and annual flights. The company’s position as a critical national infrastructure provider offers excellent job stability.

Ooredoo Oman, the second telecommunications provider, offers similar data science opportunities with a focus on digital services and mobile payments analytics.

Government AI Initiatives: ITA and Beyond

The Information Technology Authority (ITA), the Omani government entity responsible for national IT strategy and e-governance, has been a catalyst for data science adoption in the public sector. ITA oversees digital transformation across government ministries, implements national data governance frameworks, and promotes AI adoption for public service improvement.

Data Scientists at ITA and related government entities work on citizen analytics for public service optimization, predictive models for healthcare resource allocation, educational outcome prediction for the Ministry of Education, transportation and logistics optimization, and national data platform development. Government data science roles in Oman offer lower base salaries than the private sector (OMR 1,000–1,400 for mid-level) but compensate with exceptional job stability, generous leave (25–30 working days plus public holidays), reduced working hours, and the satisfaction of contributing to national development.

The Oman AI Initiative, launched under Vision 2040, has set ambitious targets for AI adoption across government services and has created a dedicated fund for AI research and development. This initiative is expected to generate increasing demand for Data Scientists over the coming years, particularly in healthcare analytics, smart city infrastructure, and agricultural technology (Oman is investing in food security through AI-optimized farming and aquaculture).

Emerging Sectors and Startup Ecosystem

While energy and telecommunications dominate, several emerging sectors in Oman are creating new data science opportunities.

Tourism and Hospitality: Oman’s tourism sector is growing rapidly as the country diversifies its economy. Hotels, tour operators, and the Oman Tourism Development Company employ analytics professionals for demand forecasting, pricing optimization, and customer experience personalization. The intersection of tourism data with Oman’s unique geography (mountains, deserts, coastlines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites) creates interesting geospatial analytics applications.

Port and Logistics: The Port of Salalah and Sohar Port and Freezone are major logistics hubs, and the Oman Logistics Centre employs analysts for container traffic prediction, vessel scheduling optimization, and supply chain visibility. Oman’s strategic position on the Indian Ocean shipping lanes makes logistics data science a natural growth area.

Startups: Oman’s startup ecosystem is nascent but growing, supported by incubators like the Oman Technology Fund, Al Raffd Fund, and the National Business Centre. Early-stage companies in healthtech, agritech, and fintech are beginning to hire Data Scientists, though these roles are still relatively rare. For Data Scientists who want to help build Oman’s startup ecosystem from the ground up, the opportunity to be among the first data hires at a promising company is compelling.

Key Technical Skills for the Oman Market

Oman’s data science market values a practical, deployment-oriented skill set that reflects the country’s emphasis on industrial applications.

Core Requirements: Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), SQL (for large industrial databases), statistical modeling, and data visualization (Matplotlib, Plotly, Tableau, Power BI). These are baseline expectations at all levels.

Energy Domain Skills (highest premium, 15–25%): Time series analysis for sensor data, anomaly detection for predictive maintenance, physics-informed machine learning, digital twin development, geospatial analytics for reservoir and facility data, and familiarity with industrial data protocols (OPC-UA, MQTT) and SCADA systems. Data Scientists who combine ML expertise with understanding of oil and gas operations are in acute demand.

Cloud ML Platforms (10–20% premium): AWS SageMaker and Azure ML are the most relevant platforms in Oman, as the country’s major employers have partnerships with AWS and Microsoft. Google Vertex AI is gaining traction. Ability to deploy models to cloud infrastructure and manage ML pipelines is increasingly valued as organizations move from experimental to production ML.

MLOps and Production Deployment (15–25% premium): Oman’s organizations are at an inflection point where proof-of-concept models need to become production systems. Data Scientists who can bridge this gap using Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow, and model monitoring frameworks are exceptionally valuable and in short supply.

Benefits and Total Compensation

Oman’s benefits structure adds 30–45% to base salary, with the energy sector typically offering the most comprehensive packages.

Housing Allowance: Typically 25–40% of base salary, ranging from OMR 200–800 monthly. Housing in Muscat is very affordable compared to Dubai or Doha: a one-bedroom apartment in desirable areas like Al Mouj, Shatti Al Qurum, or Bausher costs OMR 200–400 per month. Energy companies operating in remote areas (like the interior desert regions where PDO operates) provide company housing in residential camps that include recreational facilities, dining, and transport—a significant benefit that eliminates housing costs entirely.

Transport Allowance: OMR 80–200 per month. Oman has limited public transportation outside the planned Muscat Metro, making a car essential. Fuel prices are subsidized and among the lowest in the GCC. Senior roles at energy companies often include a company 4WD vehicle, which is practical given that many facilities are in remote desert locations.

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive employer-provided coverage is standard. Oman’s healthcare system includes good public hospitals and growing private facilities. Premium plans at energy companies include worldwide coverage and medical evacuation provisions for employees at remote sites.

Education Allowance: OMR 1,000–3,000 per child per year. International schools in Muscat charge OMR 1,500–4,500 annually, which is significantly lower than Dubai or Doha. Energy companies often cover the full cost of schooling for multiple children.

Annual Flights: Return flights for employee and family are standard, typically economy class for mid-level and business class for senior roles. Omantel and the energy companies provide this for dependents as well.

End-of-Service Gratuity: One month’s basic salary for each year of service after the first year. For a senior Data Scientist earning OMR 2,200 who stays for six years, the gratuity amounts to approximately OMR 11,000 (USD 28,600).

Cost of Living: Oman’s Hidden Advantage

Oman offers the lowest cost of living among the larger GCC states, creating exceptional savings potential for Data Scientists. Monthly expenses for a single professional living comfortably in Muscat total OMR 400–650 (USD 1,040–1,690): rent OMR 200–350, groceries and dining OMR 80–150, transport OMR 40–60, utilities OMR 20–40, and entertainment OMR 60–100.

A mid-level Data Scientist earning a total package of OMR 1,600 (base plus housing) can save 45–60% of income in Muscat. For Data Scientists at energy companies with employer-provided housing, the savings rate can exceed 65%, as the largest expense category is eliminated entirely. These savings rates are among the highest achievable anywhere in the GCC, making Oman an exceptional destination for wealth accumulation despite lower absolute salaries than Dubai or Doha.

Lifestyle: Nature, Culture, and Balance

Oman’s lifestyle is a distinctive selling point that sets it apart from every other GCC country. The Sultanate offers spectacular natural beauty—the Hajar Mountains, Wahiba Sands desert, pristine coastlines, wadis with emerald pools, and the fjords of Musandam—all within a few hours of Muscat. For outdoor enthusiasts, Oman is paradise: hiking, diving, rock climbing, camping, and off-roading are weekend staples.

The cultural environment is warm and welcoming. Omanis are known for their hospitality, and the country has a genuinely inclusive atmosphere that many expatriates find more comfortable than the more transactional environments of Dubai or Riyadh. The pace of life is slower, traffic is manageable, and the work culture prioritizes balance over burnout. For Data Scientists with families, Oman offers safe neighborhoods, excellent community spirit, and a childhood environment that many parents describe as ideal.

The professional data science community in Oman is small but growing. Regular meetups organized by the Oman Data Science Club, ITA-sponsored workshops, and university events at SQU provide networking and learning opportunities. The intimacy of the community means that established Data Scientists often have direct access to decision-makers at major organizations, creating career advancement pathways that would require more effort to build in larger markets.

Career Growth and Strategic Outlook

The career trajectory for Data Scientists in Oman is characterized by the opportunity to play outsized roles. Because the market is at an earlier stage of AI maturity than the UAE or Saudi Arabia, Data Scientists in Oman are frequently asked to wear multiple hats: data engineer, ML engineer, analytics lead, and data strategist. While this breadth can be challenging, it builds a versatile skill set that is highly transferable to any market.

Oman Vision 2040 projects sustained growth in data science demand through the decade. The government’s commitment to economic diversification, investments in renewable energy (Oman plans to become a major green hydrogen producer), the development of special economic zones at Duqm and Sohar, and the expansion of tourism infrastructure all create new data science applications. Data Scientists who establish themselves in Oman now are positioning themselves for leadership roles as the ecosystem scales.

For Data Scientists evaluating Oman as a career destination, the calculus is straightforward: lower absolute salaries are offset by the lowest cost of living in the GCC, exceptional savings rates, a genuinely enviable lifestyle, the opportunity to play foundational roles in building organizational data science capabilities, and a professional environment that values quality of life alongside career achievement. Oman may not have the glamour of Dubai, but for many Data Scientists it offers something rarer: a sustainable, fulfilling, and financially rewarding career in one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East.

Detailed Company-by-Company Salary Breakdown

See exact salary ranges at Oman’s top data science employers, including OQ Analytics, PDO, Omantel, and ITA. Updated quarterly from verified employee data.

Energy Sector Transition Guide

Get a tailored guide for Data Scientists transitioning into Oman’s energy sector, including domain knowledge requirements, technical skill mapping, and interview preparation for OQ and PDO.