- Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 mega-projects have created massive demand for foreign engineers and technicians, with no personal income tax on salaries
- Engineering packages in the Kingdom range from SAR 6,000 (KSh 205,800) to over SAR 45,000 (KSh 1,543,500) per month depending on discipline and seniority
- Kenyan professionals in civil, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC fields have clear pathways into the Saudi job market this year
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Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most financially rewarding destinations for foreign engineers and technicians in 2026, driven by the scale of its Vision 2030 infrastructure programme and a zero personal income tax environment.
Source: UGC
The 2026 Hays Saudi Arabia Salary Guide found that 62% of organisations expanded their workforce in 2025, and 74% planned further growth in 2026, with construction, technology, and energy recording the strongest hiring activity.
Projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, and Qiddiya require tens of thousands of skilled professionals across every engineering discipline, creating sustained demand that is expected to continue for years.
Engineering salaries vary significantly by discipline and experience level.
According to the Gulf Career Group's 2026 Saudi Arabia Salary Guide, civil engineers at the entry level earn between SAR 5,500 (KSh 188,650) and SAR 8,000 (KSh 274,400) per month in basic salary, rising to SAR 13,000 (KSh 445,900) to SAR 22,000 (KSh 754,600) at the senior level.
Mechanical engineers command SAR 5,500 (KSh 188,650) to SAR 8,500 (KSh 291,550) at entry level and SAR 14,000 (KSh 480,200) to SAR 24,000 (KSh 823,200) at senior level, while electrical engineers range from SAR 5,500 (KSh 188,650) to SAR 9,000 (KSh 308,700) at the start of their careers and up to SAR 25,000 (KSh 857,500) at senior levels.
Total packages, including housing, transport, and other allowances, typically run 30% to 50% above the basic salary figure.
Engineering salary packages by discipline and experience
Engineering discipline | Graduate (0–3 years) | Mid-level (3–8 years) | Senior (8–15 years) | Principal/Lead (15+ years) |
Civil & Structural | SAR 7,000–12,000 (KSh 240,100–411,600) | SAR 12,000–22,000 (KSh 411,600–754,600) | SAR 22,000–38,000 (KSh 754,600–1,303,400) | SAR 32,000–55,000 (KSh 1,097,600–1,886,500) |
Mechanical | SAR 7,500–13,000 (KSh 257,250–445,900) | SAR 13,000–24,000 (KSh 445,900–823,200) | SAR 24,000–42,000 (KSh 823,200–1,440,600) | SAR 38,000–62,000 (KSh 1,303,400–2,126,600) |
Electrical | SAR 7,000–12,000 (KSh 240,100–411,600) | SAR 12,000–22,000 (KSh 411,600–754,600) | SAR 22,000–39,000 (KSh 754,600–1,337,700) | SAR 34,000–58,000 (KSh 1,166,200–1,989,400) |
Petroleum & Chemical | SAR 12,000–18,000 (KSh 411,600–617,400) | SAR 18,000–33,000 (KSh 617,400–1,131,900) | SAR 30,000–57,000 (KSh 1,029,000–1,955,100) | SAR 45,000+ (KSh 1,543,500+) |
Technician Roles and Pay Ranges
Skilled technicians working in construction, industrial maintenance, and facilities management earn between SAR 3,000 and SAR 12,000 per month depending on experience, with electricians ranging from SAR 2,800 to SAR 10,500, HVAC technicians from SAR 3,000 to SAR 12,000, and heavy-equipment mechanics from SAR 3,500 to SAR 13,000.
More specialised roles such as instrument technicians can command SAR 2,300 to SAR 2,500 per month, frequently with accommodation and transport covered by the employer.
Technician salaries by experience
Technician role | Entry-level (SAR/month) | Mid-level (SAR/month) | Senior-level (SAR/month) |
Skilled Technicians | SAR 3,000–5,000 (KSh 102,900–171,500) | SAR 5,000–8,000 (KSh 171,500–274,400) | SAR 8,000–12,000 (KSh 274,400–411,600) |
Electricians | SAR 2,800–4,500 (KSh 96,040–154,350) | SAR 4,500–7,000 (KSh 154,350–240,100) | SAR 7,000–10,500 (KSh 240,100–360,150) |
HVAC Technicians | SAR 3,000–5,000 (KSh 102,900–171,500) | SAR 5,000–8,000 (KSh 171,500–274,400) | SAR 8,000–12,000 (KSh 274,400–411,600) |
Heavy-Equipment Mechanics | SAR 3,500–5,500 (KSh 120,050–188,650) | SAR 5,500–8,500 (KSh 188,650–291,550) | SAR 8,500–13,000 (KSh 291,550–445,900) |
Andre Atallah, CEO of EP Advisory, cautioned against relying on widely cited salary averages.
"You will also see a much lower 'expat average' quoted, around SAR 4,200 a month. Ignore it for planning. That number is dragged down by millions of lower-paid workers across construction and services, so it says nothing about what a nurse, an engineer or a manager earns," he said. "Skilled professionals typically earn well above that figure."
For Kenyan engineers and technicians weighing an overseas move, experts advise comparing the full package rather than the basic salary figure alone, verifying that all allowances are contractually guaranteed, and confirming end-of-service gratuity terms before signing.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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