The job landscape in Saudi Arabia is evolving rapidly as the kingdom continues its ambitious Vision 2030 transformation. While the era of extravagant expatriate packages—including hefty housing, car, and education allowances—is fading, the country remains a prime destination for professionals seeking career growth.
Salary Trends: Increment Expectations in 2025
Recruitment experts highlight that annual salary increases in Saudi Arabia will range between 2% and 5%, heavily tied to employee performance. With an influx of skilled professionals entering the market, competition has intensified, making merit-based salary hikes the norm.
For those changing jobs, the significant salary jumps seen in the past—where candidates sometimes doubled or tripled their earnings—are no longer common. Instead, job-switchers can now expect pay raises of 10% to 20% on their current salary, according to Domenic Falzarano, regional director at global recruitment firm Michael Page Saudi Arabia.
“Multinational companies are becoming more cautious with salary increments due to global economic shifts,” Falzarano explains. “However, an emerging trend is that organizations are increasingly willing to counteroffer higher salaries to retain valuable employees, as the cost of hiring replacements is substantial.”
Why Saudi Arabia is Still a Talent Magnet
Despite these shifts, Saudi Arabia remains a powerhouse for career opportunities. The kingdom’s bold economic diversification strategy has attracted multinational corporations, financial institutions, consultancies, and investment firms—all eager to establish a strong foothold in Riyadh.
The surge in megaprojects, including the groundbreaking $500-billion Neom smart city, has created an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals across industries. In addition, Saudi Arabia is actively investing in family-friendly infrastructure, expanding international schools, cultural hubs, and modern amenities to attract global talent beyond just professionals.
The Future of Work in Saudi Arabia
With increased competition and evolving hiring trends, professionals eyeing the Saudi job market must focus on performance-driven career growth. While the golden era of extravagant expat packages is over, Saudi Arabia still offers highly competitive salaries, world-class opportunities, and long-term career potential for those ready to embrace the kingdom’s ambitious future.