Electrical Engineer Salary in Saudi Arabia: Complete Compensation Guide 2026

Electrical Engineer Compensation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is undergoing the most ambitious economic transformation in the Middle East, and Electrical Engineers stand at the centre of it. Vision 2030—the Kingdom’s sweeping reform agenda—has unleashed trillions of riyals in capital expenditure across power infrastructure expansion, megaproject construction, renewable energy deployment, and smart city development. From the Saudi Electricity Company’s (SEC) massive grid expansion programme to NEOM’s entirely renewable-powered city infrastructure, from ACWA Power’s solar and wind projects under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) to the fire alarm and ELV systems being designed for Qiddiya and Diriyah Gate, Electrical Engineers are essential to every major sector driving the Saudi economy forward.

The Kingdom offers a zero personal income tax environment, generous employer-provided benefits, and a rapidly modernising society—making it one of the most financially rewarding destinations for electrical engineering professionals in the world.

Salary Overview by Experience Level

Electrical Engineer salaries in Saudi Arabia vary significantly based on years of experience, sector specialisation, employer type, and location. The following ranges represent monthly base salaries in Saudi Riyals (SAR).

Entry-Level (0–3 years): SAR 5,000–9,000 per month. Fresh graduates hired by small contractors or maintenance firms start at the lower end, while structured graduate programmes at SEC, Saudi Aramco (for facility electrical roles), or ACWA Power start at SAR 7,000–9,000. Saudi nationals entering engineering at government-linked entities often start at the higher end due to Saudization-driven compensation premiums.

Mid-Level (4–8 years): SAR 9,000–15,000 per month. Engineers at this level independently manage electrical design packages, perform ETAP studies, lead authority submissions to SEC, and coordinate with other disciplines on multidisciplinary projects. The range reflects the gap between general MEP roles (SAR 9,000–12,000) and specialised power, substation, or renewable energy positions (SAR 12,000–15,000). Engineers with PE, CEng, or PMP credentials push toward the upper bound.

Senior Level (9–15 years): SAR 15,000–25,000 per month. Senior engineers lead project electrical scope, interface with SEC and Saudi Civil Defence for approvals, manage design teams, and carry responsibility for technical quality and schedule. Sector specialisation is a dominant differentiator. Senior engineers at SEC or working on NEOM’s power infrastructure earn at the top of this range. Engineers in building MEP typically fall in the SAR 15,000–20,000 band. NEOM and giga-projects currently offer 15–25% premiums above standard market rates for senior talent.

Executive / Principal Level (15+ years): SAR 25,000–38,000 per month. Engineering Managers, Directors, and Principal Engineers at SEC, ACWA Power, major EPC contractors, and giga-project delivery organisations. Compensation frequently includes performance bonuses of two to four months and executive benefits including premium family housing and vehicle allowances.

Salary Variation by Sector

Power and Utilities

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is the Kingdom’s dominant utility, operating the national transmission and distribution network and investing hundreds of billions of riyals in grid expansion under Vision 2030. SEC employs thousands of Electrical Engineers across power generation, transmission (380kV and 132kV), distribution (13.8kV), and smart grid deployment. SEC compensation packages include competitive base salaries, company housing or generous housing allowances, and comprehensive benefits. ACWA Power, headquartered in Riyadh, is one of the world’s leading independent power producers, developing thermal and renewable energy projects across Saudi Arabia and internationally. Electrical Engineers at ACWA Power work on solar PV plants, wind farms, desalination facilities, and green hydrogen projects, with salaries comparable to SEC.

Giga-Projects and Construction

Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects represent an unprecedented construction boom creating massive demand for Electrical Engineers. NEOM’s THE LINE alone requires an entirely new 170-kilometre power distribution infrastructure incorporating underground 132kV cables, smart grid technology, and 100% renewable power supply. The Red Sea Global, Qiddiya, AMAALA, Diriyah Gate, and New Murabba all require comprehensive electrical engineering for building power systems, fire alarm and life safety, ELV infrastructure, lighting design, and renewable energy integration. Senior Electrical Engineers at NEOM earn SAR 18,000–28,000 in base salary, with remote location allowances of SAR 2,000–5,000 per month pushing total packages higher. International consultancies and contractors executing giga-project electrical packages include Dar Al-Handasah, Mott MacDonald, Jacobs, WSP, Samsung Engineering, and Larsen & Toubro.

Oil and Gas Electrical

Saudi Aramco and its contractors employ Electrical Engineers for oil and gas facility electrical systems, including hazardous area classification, explosion-proof equipment specification, power distribution in process environments, and SCADA/control system integration. Aramco’s compensation packages include compound housing, education, and comprehensive family benefits. The Jafurah unconventional gas development and ongoing refinery expansions at Ras Tanura, Yanbu, and Jazan require electrical engineers for facility power systems and instrumentation. EPC contractors executing Aramco projects include Petrofac, Worley, Technip Energies, and McDermott.

Renewable Energy

Saudi Arabia’s NREP targets 50% renewable electricity by 2030, creating a rapidly growing market for Electrical Engineers. ACWA Power, SEC’s subsidiary National Energy Services Company (Tarshid), and international developers are building utility-scale solar PV and wind projects across the Kingdom. The NEOM green hydrogen project—a joint venture between NEOM, ACWA Power, and Air Products—requires Electrical Engineers for electrolyser power supply design, high-voltage interconnection, and renewable energy integration. Salaries in renewable energy are competitive with the conventional power sector.

Impact of Saudization

Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat Saudization programme affects hiring patterns for Electrical Engineers. Entry-level and mid-level positions at government-linked entities are increasingly reserved for Saudi nationals, who may earn 20–40% more than expatriate counterparts due to Saudization-driven premiums. However, experienced expatriate engineers with specialised skills in substation design, protection engineering, smart grid technology, or renewable energy remain highly sought after. Senior specialist and mentorship-paired roles for expatriates often command premium compensation. Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration is mandatory for all practising engineers in the Kingdom.

Benefits That Boost Total Compensation

Housing Allowance: 25–40% of base salary or company accommodation. SEC and Aramco provide company housing in residential compounds. In Riyadh, a two-bedroom apartment costs SAR 2,500–6,000 per month; in the Eastern Province, SAR 2,000–4,500.

Transport Allowance: SAR 1,000–3,000 per month or company vehicle. Remote giga-project sites provide company transport to and from work locations.

Medical Insurance: Mandatory employer-provided coverage under CCHI regulations. Major employers cover employee and dependents, including dental and maternity.

Education Allowance: SAR 15,000–50,000 per child annually at major employers. Aramco operates its own school system within compounds.

Annual Flights: SAR 3,000–10,000 per year covering return flights for employee and family. Major employers often provide two annual trips.

End-of-Service Benefits: Half a month’s basic salary for each of the first five years; one full month per subsequent year. For a senior engineer earning SAR 20,000 base over ten years, the benefit amounts to approximately SAR 150,000.

Market Trends and Outlook

Demand for Electrical Engineers in Saudi Arabia is projected to remain exceptionally strong through 2028, driven by SEC’s grid expansion (targeting 120 GW generation capacity by 2030), NREP renewable energy deployment, NEOM and giga-project peak construction phases, and continued oil and gas facility development. The simultaneous execution of multiple megaprojects is creating wage inflation for experienced engineers, with specialised roles seeing 10–15% annual salary increases.

Professional Development and Licensing

Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) Registration: Mandatory for all practising engineers. The SCE classifies engineers into grades based on qualifications and experience. Achieving Professional Engineer classification strengthens earning potential and is required for many senior roles.

PE/CEng Licensure: International credentials are highly valued and support SCE classification applications. PE from NCEES and CEng via IET are the most commonly recognised.

Specialised Certifications: IET membership, NEBOSH, PMP, and manufacturer-specific certifications (Schneider, Siemens) support career advancement.

Salary Negotiation Strategies

• Negotiate total package comprehensively. Housing, education, and transport allowances can represent 40–70% of total value.
• Leverage SCE classification and international credentials. PE, CEng, and PMP certifications justify premium compensation.
• Factor in giga-project location premiums. NEOM and remote site roles should include SAR 2,000–5,000 per month above standard Riyadh or Eastern Province rates.
• Quantify project experience. Engineers who have delivered projects exceeding SAR 500 million command significant premiums.

Cost of Living Considerations

Saudi Arabia has a moderate cost of living with 15% VAT on most goods and services. Riyadh rents for two-bedroom apartments range SAR 2,500–6,000. Fuel is among the cheapest globally (approximately SAR 2.18/litre). A mid-level Electrical Engineer earning SAR 18,000 per month total (base plus housing) can save 30–45% of income. Engineers in SEC or Aramco compounds with provided housing achieve savings rates of 50–65% of base salary.

Company-by-Company Salary Breakdown

Access detailed salary ranges at SEC, ACWA Power, Saudi Aramco, NEOM, Dar Al-Handasah, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, WSP, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Samsung Engineering, and 15+ other major employers. Includes base salary bands by grade, bonus structures, housing and education details by company, and location premiums for giga-project sites.

Saudization-Adjusted Negotiation Templates

Tailored negotiation scripts for the Saudi market with separate templates for expatriate and Saudi national engineers. Includes counter-offer strategies, benefit negotiation tactics, and SCE classification leverage points.