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Saudi Arabia scales back salary premiums for foreign talent, recruiters say
Saudi firms now offer more restrained salary premiums to foreign high-skilled workers amid budget cuts and project delays, recruiters say salary offers have halved since early 2025.
- Saudi firms are scaling back generous salary premiums that once lured top foreign talent, four recruiters told Reuters, with offers now far more restrained as employers rethink compensation.
- Lower oil revenues and fiscal pressure have tightened budgets, with the kingdom needing oil near US$100 to balance its budget, the International Monetary Fund says, reflecting a pivot by the US$925 billion Public Investment Fund toward AI, logistics and mining.
- Project managers in the United Arab Emirates said some Saudi roles paid about US$60K for jobs that paid US$60,000 in the UAE, with recruiters now reporting only a 5 per cent to 8 per cent premium.
- Project activity slowed in 2025, nearly halving awards in early months, as Kamco Invest reported; companies redirect budgets toward 'hot jobs' like AI and digital amid Saudi government labour-market reforms expanding competition.
- Vision 2030's megaprojects like Neom and Trojena raised demand but hit delays, yet Saudi Arabia's 4.4 per cent growth estimate for 2025 keeps it attractive, with recruiters citing predictable, family-friendly packages.
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15 Articles
Saudi Salary Shift: Reimagining the Talent Market Amid Economic Pivot
Saudi firms are reducing generous salary premiums for foreign talent amid a broader economic transformation. While Vision 2030 fosters sectors like AI and logistics, competition for jobs intensifies, with offers becoming more competitive, especially compared to the UAE, dampening expectations for lucrative premiums.
·India
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution39% Left, 38% Center
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left, 38% of the sources are Center
39% Left
L 39%
C 38%
R 23%
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