Project Engineer Salary in Saudi Arabia: Complete Compensation Guide 2026

Project Engineer Compensation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is executing the most ambitious engineering and construction program in modern history. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is building NEOM (a USD 500 billion futuristic city), The Red Sea tourism destination, Qiddiya entertainment city, Diriyah Gate cultural quarter, AMAALA luxury resort, the Riyadh Metro, King Salman Park, and dozens of other mega-projects that are collectively reshaping the built environment of the Arabian Peninsula. For project engineers, Saudi Arabia represents perhaps the most exciting and well-compensated market in the world, offering zero personal income tax, unprecedented project scale, and career-defining opportunities that are simply not available anywhere else on earth.

Whether you are a fresh engineering graduate from KFUPM exploring your first role, a PMP-certified professional considering relocation from the UAE, Europe, or South Asia, or a seasoned construction management expert targeting director-level opportunities at Saudi Aramco, NEOM, or one of the Kingdom’s major EPC contractors, understanding the full compensation landscape is essential. The sheer scale of Saudi Arabia’s construction pipeline—estimated at over USD 1.3 trillion in active and planned projects—has created intense competition for qualified project engineers, driving salaries upward across all experience levels and engineering disciplines.

Salary Overview by Experience Level

Project Engineer salaries in Saudi Arabia vary significantly based on experience, certifications, employer type, engineering discipline, project type, and location. The following ranges represent monthly base salaries in SAR.

Entry-Level (0–2 years): SAR 8,000–13,000 per month. Saudi nationals from recognized engineering programs (KFUPM, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University) start at the upper end due to Saudization requirements. Expatriate juniors typically start at SAR 8,000–10,000. Candidates with internship experience at Aramco, SABIC, or major contractors command SAR 10,000–13,000.

Mid-Level (3–7 years): SAR 14,000–25,000 per month. Project engineers at this stage manage work packages, coordinate subcontractors, oversee quality and HSE compliance, and handle cost control. The range reflects differences between smaller contractors (SAR 14,000–18,000) and major EPC contractors, developers, or Aramco projects (SAR 19,000–25,000). PMP certification adds SAR 2,000–4,000 per month. Mega-project experience (NEOM, The Red Sea) commands the upper end.

Senior Level (8–12 years): SAR 27,000–45,000 per month. Senior project engineers, project managers, and construction managers lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage budgets exceeding SAR 100 million, and serve as key client interfaces. At Saudi Aramco and its EPC contractors, roles at this level command SAR 30,000–45,000. NEOM and The Red Sea Development Company offer premium packages to attract global talent.

Executive Level (12+ years): SAR 42,000–65,000 per month. Project directors, VP of engineering, and construction directors manage portfolios worth billions of riyals. At mega-project entities like NEOM, positions can command even higher compensation with long-term incentive plans. Aramco project directors and senior positions at major international contractors operating in the Kingdom reach SAR 50,000–65,000.

Salary Variation by Location and Sector

Riyadh offers the highest volume of project engineering roles, driven by the Riyadh Metro, King Salman Park, Sports Boulevard, New Murabba, and the broader transformation of the capital into a global city. Jeddah’s construction market is active with the Jeddah Tower, Red Sea Gateway terminal expansion, and coastal development projects. The Eastern Province remains the center of Aramco-related engineering work, with Dhahran, Jubail, and Yanbu hosting massive refinery, petrochemical, and industrial projects.

The mega-project locations—NEOM (Tabuk region), The Red Sea (coastal Western Province), Qiddiya and Diriyah (Riyadh outskirts), and AMAALA (northwestern coast)—often include additional location premiums of 10–20% above standard Riyadh rates, plus accommodation and travel benefits that reflect the remote nature of these sites.

The oil and gas sector, led by Saudi Aramco and SABIC, consistently pays the highest project engineer salaries, with rates 15–30% above general construction. Aramco’s compound-based lifestyle with free housing, schooling, and healthcare makes its total compensation package the benchmark for the industry.

Key Factors Affecting Salary

Professional Certifications: PMP is the most impactful certification, adding 10–20% to compensation. Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) registration is mandatory for engineering practice in Saudi Arabia. Chartered Engineer (CEng) status is valued at consultancies and for senior roles. LEED accreditation adds value for sustainable construction projects aligned with Vision 2030 green building mandates.

Saudization: Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat program applies to engineering roles, with increasing pressure to hire Saudi nationals. Saudi project engineers typically earn 15–30% more than expatriate counterparts. For expatriate engineers, specialized expertise in areas like offshore engineering, tunneling, high-rise construction, or EPC project management provides the strongest competitive position.

Project Scale and Complexity: Engineers working on mega-projects (USD 1 billion+) typically earn 10–25% more than those on standard projects. The technical complexity, schedule pressure, and stakeholder management demands of mega-projects justify premium compensation.

Benefits That Boost Total Compensation

Housing Allowance: Typically 25–40% of base salary. Aramco provides compound housing with full amenities at no cost—a benefit worth SAR 3,000–8,000 per month. Mega-project employers often provide project-site accommodation. In Riyadh, a two-bedroom apartment ranges from SAR 2,500–6,000 per month.

Transport Allowance: SAR 1,000–3,000 monthly, with project-site transport often provided. Senior engineers receive company car allowances of SAR 2,000–4,000.

Medical Insurance: Mandatory employer-provided coverage under CCHI regulations. Engineering firms provide comprehensive plans. Aramco medical facilities are among the best in the region. Value: SAR 3,000–12,000 per year.

Education Allowance: International schools charge SAR 15,000–80,000 per year. Employers provide SAR 12,000–45,000 per child. Aramco compound schools are provided at minimal cost.

Annual Flights: Return flights for employee and dependents, valued at SAR 2,500–10,000 per year.

Project Completion Bonuses: Common in the Saudi engineering market, ranging from 1–4 months of salary for on-time, on-budget project delivery. Mega-project employers may offer additional milestone bonuses.

End-of-Service Award: Half a month per year for the first five years, one month per year thereafter. For Saudi nationals, GOSI contributions (employer 12%, employee 10%) provide pension benefits.

Top Employers for Project Engineers in Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Aramco: The world’s most valuable company, executing one of the largest capital expenditure programs globally (USD 50+ billion annually). Offers project engineers unmatched compensation including compound housing, schooling, healthcare, and generous leave. Engineering roles span upstream (exploration, drilling), midstream (pipelines, gas processing), and downstream (refineries, petrochemicals). The total value of Aramco’s benefits package can add 50–80% above base salary.
• NEOM: The USD 500 billion mega-project offers project engineers the opportunity to build a city of the future, including THE LINE (a 170km linear city), OXAGON (industrial city), and TROJENA (mountain tourism destination). Premium compensation packages with location allowances and the unique career credential of building from the ground up.
• The Red Sea Development Company (now Red Sea Global): Developing a luxury tourism destination across 28,000 sq km of Saudi Arabia’s western coast. Offers engineers exposure to sustainable resort construction, marine infrastructure, and airport development. Competitive packages with project-site accommodation.
• Saudi Binladin Group: One of the largest construction companies in the Middle East, with projects spanning religious sites (Makkah and Madinah expansions), commercial developments, and infrastructure. Strong local market knowledge and diverse project exposure.
• SABIC: A global petrochemical leader with ongoing industrial expansion projects in Jubail and Yanbu. Offers comprehensive benefits comparable to Aramco for engineers working on petrochemical plant construction and expansion.
• Bechtel Saudi Arabia: The global engineering giant has significant Saudi operations, including the Riyadh Metro project (one of the largest urban rail projects ever). Offers globally benchmarked compensation with career development and international mobility.
• Jacobs Engineering Saudi Arabia: Active across infrastructure, water, energy, and environmental projects. Offers competitive packages with emphasis on technical excellence.
• Dar Al-Handasah (Dar Group): A leading regional consultancy active in master planning, architecture, and engineering for Saudi mega-projects. Structured career paths with regional mobility.
• Samsung Engineering Saudi Arabia: Active on major EPC contracts, particularly in petrochemicals and gas processing. Offers competitive packages with exposure to large-scale, technically complex projects.
• Qiddiya Investment Company: Developing Saudi Arabia’s entertainment, sports, and nature destination. Offers project engineers exposure to theme park construction, stadium development, and mixed-use infrastructure.

Vision 2030 Impact on Project Engineer Careers

Vision 2030 has created what many industry observers call the largest construction boom in human history. The scale is staggering: NEOM alone employs tens of thousands of engineers and construction workers. The Riyadh Metro, one of the largest urban rail projects globally, requires armies of project engineers across civil, structural, electrical, and systems engineering disciplines. The religious site expansions in Makkah and Madinah represent ongoing mega-engineering challenges. And the wave of new tourism, entertainment, and sports infrastructure being built for events including the FIFA World Cup 2034 ensures that project engineer demand in Saudi Arabia will remain exceptionally strong for the foreseeable future.

Salary Negotiation Tips

• Lead with mega-project experience: Quantify your track record by project value, complexity, team size, and delivery outcomes. Saudi employers value demonstrated ability to deliver on large-scale, high-pressure projects.
• Ensure SCE registration: Saudi Council of Engineers registration is mandatory. Obtain this before or immediately upon arrival to avoid employment complications.
• Negotiate location-specific benefits: Mega-project sites in remote areas (NEOM, The Red Sea) should include location premiums, accommodation, and travel benefits above standard rates.
• Consider compound vs. city living: Aramco and SABIC compound benefits can add 50–80% to effective compensation. Factor this into any package comparison.
• Highlight safety and HSE track record: Saudi Arabia places high importance on safety performance. A strong HSE record is both a differentiator and a negotiation asset.

Key Takeaways

• Project Engineer salaries in Saudi Arabia range from SAR 8,000 per month at entry level to SAR 65,000+ at executive level, all free of personal income tax
• Saudi Arabia is executing the largest construction program in modern history, with over USD 1.3 trillion in active and planned projects
• PMP certification adds 10–20% to compensation; SCE registration is mandatory for engineering practice
• Saudi Aramco offers the best total compensation when compound benefits are included, adding 50–80% above base salary
• Mega-projects (NEOM, The Red Sea, Qiddiya) offer premium packages with location allowances and unique career credentials
• Oil and gas project engineers earn 15–30% above general construction counterparts
• Housing, transport, education, project bonuses, and end-of-service benefits significantly boost total compensation by 40–70%

Detailed Employer Salary Benchmarks

Access exact salary ranges at 15+ top Saudi employers for project engineers, including Saudi Aramco (compound vs. non-compound packages), NEOM, Red Sea Global, major EPC contractors (Bechtel, Samsung Engineering, Petrofac), consultancies (Dar Al-Handasah, WSP, Jacobs), and local contractors (Saudi Binladin Group, Al Rashid Trading & Contracting). Data covers base salary, housing, transport, project bonuses, overtime rates, and total compensation broken down by engineering discipline and career level.

Saudi Mega-Project Career Guide for Engineers

Get a step-by-step roadmap for building a project engineering career in Saudi Arabia’s mega-project ecosystem. Covers Aramco contractor qualification, NEOM and Red Sea Global recruitment processes, SCE registration requirements, Saudization navigation for expatriate engineers, and strategies for maximizing compensation across the project lifecycle. Includes salary progression benchmarks by engineering discipline and employer tier.