World

Saudi Arabia salary guide: Pay grades for almost 200 jobs in the Kingdom revealed

A new salary guide has shown what employees can demand in 190 different roles in Saudi Arabia.

In its Saudi Arabia Salary Guide 2023, Hays Middle East has provided comprehensive salary data for roles across nine industries in the Kingdom, from accounting and finance, construction and property, HR, legal, manufacturing, marketing and digital, procurement and supply chain, sales, and technology.

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Employees work at the Saudi National Health Emergency Operations Center (NHEOC) in the capital Riyadh on May 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. (File photo: AFP)

The highest paid jobs are in the construction and property sector, with some roles commanding as high as $93,000 in a single month, according to the report.

It was also highlighted that the labor market in Saudi Arabia is robust and dynamic, with high levels of recruitment activity across various sectors. In 2022, 70 percent of employers reported that their organization’s headcount increased, most commonly by more than 10 percent. This is a significant increase from the 43 percent of employers who reported the same in 2021.

Recruitment activity in the Kingdom shows no signs of slowing, with 89 percent of employers planning to recruit permanent employees in 2023. Most employers are focusing their recruitment efforts in-country in Riyadh (69 percent), Jeddah (56 percent), and/or the Eastern Province (41 percent). With organizations competing for the best talent, opportunities abound for individuals with the most sought-after skills.

The Hays Saudi Arabia Salary Guide also indicates that 53 percent of employees received a salary increase in 2022. The most common rate of change increased from 5 percent or less to between 6 – 10 percent, reflecting salary growth in the country. A significant 79 percent of employers expect salaries within their organization to increase in 2023, further indicating the economy’s positive trajectory.

Commenting on the guide, Aaron Fletcher, Senior Manager at Hays Saudi Arabia, said: “A vibrant labor market and increasing salary growth, combined with a positive economic and employment outlook, make Saudi Arabia an attractive destination for job seekers.”

He continued, “The economy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing globally, defying global economic uncertainties. The impressive performance is attributed to the successful implementation of Vision 2030, which has introduced new initiatives and projects, helping to diversify the economy and generate non-oil revenue. The main catalysts for growth, expansion, and transformation are the flagship giga-projects, which span sectors and regions across the Kingdom.”

What should you be earning per month?

Hays revealed the salary range for a broad spectrum of jobs. Salaries shown represent the total fixed monthly salary package for each position.

Accounting and finance

The highest paying job in accounting and finance is the role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a monthly salary range between $23,000 a month and $37,000 a month. The average salary in this position is about $32,000.

Finance directors can earn, on average, about $20,000 a month, followed by head of internal audits ($20,000), finance controller ($12,000), audit manager ($10,650), finance manager ($9,300), senior accountant ($6,120), credit controller ($5,860), financial analysist ($5,860), and accountants ($4,260).

Construction and property

The highest paying jobs in construction and property are in the C-Suite – commanding between $33,270 and $93,000 for the top-level roles. The average salary is $63,000.

Executive directors can earn, on average, about $30,000, followed by project directors ($22,600), architecture director ($21,290) and development directors and urban planning directors ($21,290).

Pay for the following roles are as follows; property managing directors $16,000, leasing director $16,000, facilities director $15,300, senior project manager $14,640, senior contracts manager $14,640, commercial manager $12,640, contracts manager $12,640, project manager $12,640, senior HSEQ manager $12,00, construction manager $9,300, senior quantity surveyor $9,300, community manger $8,000, sales and leasing manager $8,000, property manager $7,700, senior architect $7,200, project architect $6,650 and senior interior designer $6,650

HR

The highest paid job in Human Resources is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), who can command between $26,600 and $40,000 a month.

This is followed by HR directors, who can earn, on average, about $21,290 a month and HR business partners ($10,000).

Other roles from HR manager, leaving and development managers, talent acquisition managers, compensation and benefits manager, HR generalist, recruitment specialist, and down to HR assistant – earn between $3,327 – $9,000 a month.

Legal

The highest paid job in Legal is chief legal officer. An employee in this role can command up to $37,260 a month, although the average salary is about $32,000 a month.

This is followed by general counsel ($24,000), legal director/head (about $20,000) and senior legal counsel ($14,000).

The lowest paid legal job is legal secretary ($4,500).

Manufacturing

The highest paid job in manufacturing is a general manager who can command about $21,300 a month. This is followed by operations director ($17,300), manufacturing director ($16,630), quality director ($16,000) and head of operations ($13,300).

Other roles from head of manufacturing, head of HSE, operations manager, manufacturing manager, plat or factory manager, technical manager, quality manager, and production manager vary between an average of $12,000 to an average of $6,650 a month.

Marketing and digital

The highest paid job in marketing and digital is VP or the chief marketing officer (CMO), who can earn, on average, about $30,000 a month.

This followed by digital marketing directors ($20,000) and marketing and communications directors ($18,600), marketing and communication managers ($12,640), head of performance ($12,000), trade marketing manager ($10,000), social media manager ($9,300) and brand manager ($8,650).

Procurement and supply chain

The highest paid job in procurement and supply chain is the supply chain director ($20,000 a month), followed by procurement director ($17,300), and head of supply chain ($14,640).

The following jobs are the next in seniority, logistics director, head of procurement, head of logistics, supply chain manager, strategic sourcing manager, procurement manager, contracts manufacturer, logistics manager, category manager.

Salaries vary from $6,650 to $13,300.

Sales

The highest paid job in sales is the country sales director – commanding an estimated $26,600 on average but as much as $32,000 a month.

The following jobs are the next in seniority; general manager, commercial director, solutions sales director, sales director, business development director, head of sales, commercial manager, country manager, business development manager and sales manager. Salaries vary from $24,000 to $8,650.

The least paid person in sales is the key account manager – who gets about a quarter of the country director’s monthly pay cheque – about $$6,650.

Technology

The highest paid job in technology is in the field of CXO and IT leadership. There, the chief information officer gets paid about $26,600 a month, followed by the chief digital officer ($24,000), the roles of chief information security officer and chief technology officer (both $22,620) and chief product officer ($21,290).

There are more than 60 different roles in technology across the sectors of CXO and IT leadership, information and cyber security, project delivery and business analysis, presales and solutions architecture, ERP and enterprise applications, software engineering, cloud infrastructure and networking, data science and analytics, and product management.

The average salary is between $6,650 and $14,640.

The lowest paid job is IT support analyst ($4,630).

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World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

World

TRENDS Explores Cooperation with Indonesia’s BNPT and Launches Indonesian Edition of a Book

On its first day in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of the third leg of its Asian research
tour, TRENDS Research ‘ Advisory met with the Indonesian National Counter
Terrorism Agency (BNPT). The discussion focused on the role of think tanks in
combating terrorism and extremist ideologies, as well as potential areas for
cooperation and partnership in specialized research and strategic studies.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, presented the center’s
intellectual and research efforts in this field, emphasizing the crucial role think
tanks play in refuting the arguments of extremist groups.
TRENDS researchers also showcased the Encyclopedia of the Muslim
Brotherhood, a project comprising 35 books, with 12 already published and
translated into multiple languages.
During the discussion, TRENDS launched the Indonesian translation of the 11th
book in the encyclopedia, titled “The Concept of the State According to the
Muslim Brotherhood”
The book highlights the Muslim Brotherhood’s adversarial stance, since its
inception, toward the Arab states, viewing them as an obstacle to the group’s ascent
to power. The group opposed the modern principles upon which these states were
built, considering them incompatible with its unique interpretation of Islam, which
the group claimed to exclusively embody.
The discussion also featured the introduction of the Muslim Brotherhood
International Power Index (MBIPI), the first of its kind globally. Compiled

annually by TRENDS, the index tracks and measures the global influence and
strength of the Muslim Brotherhood.
TRENDS researchers were briefed by BNPT officials on the agency’s work, vision,
and achievements. The BNPT representatives praised TRENDS’ research efforts
and expressed a strong desire to establish constructive cooperation between the two
sides to enhance efforts in countering terrorism and extremist ideologies.
The discussion between TRENDS and BNPT underscored the importance of
mutual cooperation in this field and other research areas, fostering research
excellence and knowledge dissemination.
Both sides agreed to maintain communication with the goal of signing a
memorandum of understanding and cooperation.

World

White House Partners with Monroe Capital to Launch New Strategy to Support U.S. Automotive Industry Growth Initiatives and American Autoworkers

The White House selected Monroe Capital
LLC (“Monroe”) to develop a first-of-its-kind investment strategy focused on supporting
businesses operating in the U.S. automotive supply chain. Along with the anticipated advisory
support of MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association (“MEMA”) and the Alliance for
Automotive Innovation, Monroe intends to launch this new strategy (the “Drive Forward Fund
LP” or the “Fund”) to help address this key White House initiative. The Drive Forward Fund LP
will seek to raise up to $1 billion and focus on investing in companies that play a pivotal role in
fueling growth and innovation within the $1 trillion U.S. automotive industry.
Monroe will develop this White House inspired strategy to support small and medium-sized
companies operating within the automotive value chain that are essential to the growth and
modernization of the U.S. automotive industry. The Drive Forward Fund LP will target suppliers
and manufacturers, as well as other adjacent businesses that provide complementary products
and services to the industry. The mission of the Drive Forward Fund LP is to provide financial
support to the businesses that supply mission critical parts such as powertrain, body, drivetrain,
chassis, interiors, and electrical components, as well as complementary Software-as-a-Service
(“SaaS”) and other auto technology and business service providers that cater to the industry. The
Fund will also evaluate growth opportunities to invest in innovative companies in battery
component and subcomponent manufacturing and materials recycling. This entire ecosystem of
businesses is critical to ensuring the U.S. position at the forefront of the global automotive
market. In addition, Monroe believes the Drive Forward Fund LP will benefit the American
automotive industry, which should have a positive impact on workers as well as state and local
economies with jobs in the areas where these target companies are located.
Building on the announcement Vice President Harris issued in Detroit in May supporting growth
and jobs in the automotive industry, Monroe will seek to provide capital solutions to help
manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers modernize the key automotive supply chains;
including the clean vehicle supply chain, as well as support jobs in the automotive industry –
more than 9.7 million across the country. As part of its strategy, the Fund also intends to provide
companies access to funding for technology investments, including but not limited to
investments in the transition from internal combustion production to electric vehicles (“EVs”), as
well as the software offerings that will drive the industry’s shift from a purely transaction sales
model to a complete vehicle lifecycle. Major technological enhancements transforming the
industry include Software-Defined Vehicles (“SDV”), autonomous driving systems, smart
factories, and many other connected technologies. The Fund’s investments will intend to not
only allow these businesses to capitalize on the industry’s compelling growth tailwinds, but also
to navigate supply chain challenges and the rapidly evolving operating landscape.

Monroe intends to pair private investor capital with leverage, including low-cost government-
guaranteed leverage that Monroe hopes to obtain through applying for a U.S. Small Business
Administration (“SBA”) Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) license for the Fund.
“We believe this new Drive Forward Fund will be critical to catalyzing growth and innovation
within America’s automotive supply chain,” said Monroe’s Chairman and CEO, Ted Koenig.
“The Fund will have an opportunity to provide essential financial support to small and medium-
sized businesses and will help provide a consistent and reliable supply chain to the Original
Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), Tier 1 auto manufacturers, and other auto industry
stakeholders. In addition, the Fund will strive to provide support to auto industry suppliers as
they become more competitive and remain local community anchors as they grow their
businesses to support key initiatives within the overall automotive industry. Monroe Capital is
honored to play a leading role in this new strategy.”
Alex Parmacek, Portfolio Manager for the Fund at Monroe, added “Looking ahead, we believe
the automotive industry is poised for transformative changes driven by advancements in electric
vehicles (“EVs”), hydrogen fuel cell technology, and autonomous driving systems, among
others. We believe a shift towards clean energy and sustainable vehicles can play a role in efforts
to reduce carbon emissions and create a more durable supply base for the OEMs and Tier I
suppliers. This Drive Forward Fund expects to play a pivotal role in supporting these
technological innovations, to help ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of automotive
technology and manufacturing.”
Bill Long, President and CEO of MEMA, stated, “MEMA is pleased to have a seat at the table in
our ongoing collaboration with the White House to address industry challenges associated with
the transition to advanced technology vehicles and to enhance manufacturing competitiveness in
the US. In this role, MEMA will continue to provide insights to ensure the supplier community is
best served going forward.”
John Bozzella, President and CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation said, “A successful
transformation to automotive electrification in the United States requires a cutting-edge
automotive supply chain that keeps the country competitive and underpins our economic and
national security. Automakers are investing billions in this transition and building electrified
vehicles in all makes and models, but you’ve got to remember the automotive supply chain is
made up of hundreds of companies – many small and medium-sized businesses – that have been
churning out components and parts for generations, support communities across the country, and
keep the wheels turning on the $1 trillion American auto business. Auto suppliers are essential to
this transformation, and that’s what is promising about the Drive Forward Fund. It’s an option
for smaller auto businesses to access private money to modernize and support the production of
the vehicles of today – and tomorrow. We’re glad to be part of the advisory council for this new
fund and provide the automaker perspective.”
The Drive Forward Fund plans to be advised by a council of experts from across the automotive
industry to help ensure capital is directed to small and medium-sized auto suppliers,
manufacturers, and service providers with ties to significant domestic manufacturing content.

Monroe anticipates the advisory council will include representatives from MEMA and Alliance
for Automotive Innovation, with support from the OEMs, consultants and business organizations
who recognize the importance of providing adequate liquidity and stability for the auto supply
chain and critical suppliers. With the expected commitment of strategic and financial investors,
along with support and counsel from key industry leaders, the Fund intends to invest in
businesses that align with White House’s pledge to ensure that the future of the automotive
industry is made in America by American manufacturers and American autoworkers in the
communities that have historically powered the industry.
For limited partner investors, the Fund will seek to generate attractive returns on investment
while targeting exposure to manufacturers and other business service providers, coupled with
compelling growth opportunities in the EV and clean energy markets and auto technology. The
Fund will be managed by Monroe, an asset management firm that was previously recognized by
the SBA as the SBIC Fund of the Year. As of July 1, 2024, Monroe, together with its affiliates,
has approximately $20 billion in assets under management in a diversified private credit platform
of 35+ investment vehicles, with more than 450 active portfolio investments, comprised of direct
lending and alternative credit funds, business software, real estate, venture debt, publicly traded
and private BDCs, separately managed accounts, and collateralized loan obligations. The firm
has more than 250 employees and is headquartered in Chicago and maintains 10 offices
throughout the United States and Asia.
The Fund intends to begin fundraising after progressing through the SBA licensing process.
SBIC licensed funds nationwide manage more than $43 billion in SBA-government guaranteed
and private capital, providing equity investment and long-term loans to small businesses in a
wide range of industries.