What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Saudi Arabia?

Packages vary widely, but many qualified international teachers report tax-free salaries broadly equivalent to around $2,800–4,500 USD per month, with housing and other benefits on top in stronger schools.

Do schools in Saudi Arabia provide housing?

Yes, many international schools in Saudi Arabia provide either furnished accommodation or a housing allowance. The quality and location of housing can vary, so it is worth asking detailed questions.

Is the salary tax-free in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia does not currently levy income tax on employment income for most expatriate teachers, so salaries are often described as tax-free. However, you may still have tax obligations in your home country depending on your circumstances.

Is Saudi Arabia good for saving money?

For many teachers, Saudi Arabia offers strong savings potential because of tax-free income, relatively low day-to-day costs, and the fact that housing and flights are often covered.

What should I look for in a Saudi offer?

Look beyond the headline salary. Consider housing, medical cover, dependants’ school fees, transport, end-of-service benefits, visa costs and the number of contact hours and duties.

Country Guide · Saudi Arabia

International school teacher salaries in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been reshaping itself at speed, and the international school sector has grown alongside that change. Packages can be generous – often tax-free and with housing included – but the range between schools is wide. This guide focuses on what teachers actually experience: pay, benefits, cost of living and realistic savings potential.

Currency

Saudi Riyal (SAR)

Pegged to the US dollar, which adds some stability.

Typical salary band*

~ 10,000 – 17,000 SAR / month

Qualified international school teachers, tax-free, before extras.

Contracts

2-year contracts are common

Often with end-of-service benefits and renewal bonuses.

Tax

No income tax on salary

Check any home-country tax obligations separately.

Typical salary ranges in Saudi Arabia

As in many Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia has a wide spectrum of schools. Some are long-established, well-resourced and offer strong packages. Others run on tighter budgets and offer far more modest pay. Looking at the full package – not just the base salary – is essential.

Lower to mid-range schools

Some schools advertise salaries in the 7,000–10,000 SAR per month range for classroom teachers, often with accommodation provided and annual flights. These posts can still offer savings, but it is important to understand workload and living conditions.

Visa rules, transport to school and expectations around contact hours can vary significantly.

Established international schools

In more established international schools, qualified teachers commonly report salaries roughly in the 10,000–17,000 SAR per month range, tax-free, with housing, flights, medical insurance and sometimes school places for dependants. Leadership roles and specialist posts may sit above this band.

The gap between a "good" and a "less good" package can be substantial even within the same city.

*All figures here are indicative only and based on broad ranges from job adverts and teacher experiences, not a fixed scale.

Cost of living and savings potential

Day-to-day costs in Saudi Arabia can be reasonable, particularly if your accommodation and major bills are covered by your school. Imported goods and certain lifestyle choices can be expensive, but many teachers still find that Saudi Arabia is a strong destination for building savings.

Everyday spending

Basic groceries, local transport and eating in more everyday restaurants can be affordable, especially outside the most premium developments. Imported products, international chains and frequent travel will quickly increase your monthly spend.

Many teachers find that their main discretionary spending is on travel during holidays and weekends away rather than on day-to-day essentials.

Savings potential

With housing and flights covered, a teacher on a mid- to upper-range salary can often save a meaningful portion of income each month, particularly if they avoid trying to recreate a fully Western lifestyle in every respect.

On more modest salaries, savings are still possible, but they depend heavily on personal spending choices and any financial commitments back home.

What is it like to live and teach in Saudi Arabia?

Life in Saudi Arabia is changing quickly. Teachers who have been in the region for a long time often talk about two experiences: the older, more restrictive version of Saudi, and the newer, rapidly developing one with more entertainment, tourism and mixed public spaces.

You are likely to find:

A strong expatriate teacher community, often centred around compounds and school networks.
Significant cultural differences and expectations compared with many Western countries – particularly around dress, alcohol and social norms – but with more public events and leisure options opening up in recent years.
Busy school environments with high parental expectations and a clear focus on examination outcomes in many settings.

Who is Saudi Arabia a good fit for?

Saudi Arabia may be a strong option if you:

Are aiming to prioritise savings for a few years, especially if your package includes housing and flights.
Are comfortable adapting to a different cultural and legal framework, and willing to read policies carefully before committing.
Like the idea of being part of a fast-changing country where new developments, events and opportunities are appearing frequently.

Compare your Saudi offer

Have an offer from Riyadh, Jeddah, the Eastern Province or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia? Use My Offer vs. The World to see how your package compares with anonymous submissions from other teachers around the globe.

🎯 My Offer vs. The World

Compare your salary to real submissions for the same country and role (normalised to USD for accuracy).

Browse the dataset →

Choose a country and role, enter your monthly salary, and we’ll show where it sits in the dataset.

Explore more on Wondering Staffroom

Visit Browse salaries to see Saudi Arabia alongside other destinations.
Use Analytics to explore how Saudi Arabia compares in charts and graphs.
Share your own Saudi package via the Submit form to help other teachers benchmark their offers.

Stay in the loop

Get updates when new Saudi Arabia insights, tools and country guides go live.

Join the mailing list

Frequently asked questions

What is a typical salary for international school teachers in Saudi Arabia?: Packages vary widely, but many qualified international teachers report tax-free salaries broadly equivalent to around $2,800–4,500 USD per month, with housing and other benefits on top in stronger schools.
Do schools in Saudi Arabia provide housing?: Yes, many international schools in Saudi Arabia provide either furnished accommodation or a housing allowance. The quality and location of housing can vary, so it is worth asking detailed questions.
Is the salary tax-free in Saudi Arabia?: Saudi Arabia does not currently levy income tax on employment income for most expatriate teachers, so salaries are often described as tax-free. However, you may still have tax obligations in your home country depending on your circumstances.
Is Saudi Arabia good for saving money?: For many teachers, Saudi Arabia offers strong savings potential because of tax-free income, relatively low day-to-day costs, and the fact that housing and flights are often covered.
What should I look for in a Saudi offer?: Look beyond the headline salary. Consider housing, medical cover, dependants’ school fees, transport, end-of-service benefits, visa costs and the number of contact hours and duties.

Nothing on this page is financial or legal advice. All figures are indicative only and based on public ranges and teacher experiences.