Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary: Pay, Benefits & More 2025

Written by

Sukanta Bera

Fact check by

Divyansh Chaudhari

Updated on

Aug 29,2025

Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary: Guide for Medical Professionals  - TerraTern

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The Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary can vary depending on the qualifications, years of working experience, and the region. Saudi Arabia is a jurisdiction with a developing healthcare sector that is competitive in the global healthcare fraternity. Namely, the nursing profession is urgently needed since the government is determined to improve healthcare standards in the Kingdom medical jobs in saudi arabia salary for nurses.

Compensation to the nurses in Saudi Arabia is normally quite competitive and is normally sustained by other similarly valued rewards such as housing amenities, transport, and bonus payments. It renders it worthwhile for foreign nurses to obtain a job in Saudi Arabia, especially nurses in countries with low wages in the health care sector.

 

What is the Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary in 2025? Complete Breakdown

doctor holding coins in hand; Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary: TerraTern

This is the full salary chart of nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for 2025:

Position/Experience Level

Salary in a Month (SAR)

Annuity (based on Salary) (SAR)

Experience Required

Entry-Level Nurses

3,800 - 6,500

45,600 - 78,000

0-2 years

Junior Nurses

3,800 - 4,500

45,600 - 54,000

Less than 2 years

Mid-Level Nurses

4,500 - 8,000

54,000 - 96,000

2-5 years

Senior Nurses

6000 - 12000

72000 - 144000

5+ years

Specialized Nurses

13,000 - 19,000

156,000 - 228,000

Specialty certification

Head Nurses/Supervisors

4,103 - 17,188

49,236 - 206,256

Management role

 

Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia: Regional Salary Variations

Location

Monthly Salary Range (SAR)

Notes

Riyadh & Jeddah

7,000 - 12,000

Large cities have a higher cost of living

Smaller Cities

6,000 - 8,000

Lower cost of living

National Average

4,472Monthly Base Salary

Monthly average across all levels

 

Medical Jobs in Saudi Arabia: Salary for Nurses by Experience Level

Here's a detailed analysis of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses based on experience level progression:

Experience Level

Monthly Base Salary

Annual Salary (SAR)

Career Stage

Up to 1 year

4,500

54,000

Fresh graduates, basic clinical skills

1-4 years of experience

3,892

46,705

Early career, building competencies

5-10 years of experience

8,000 - 12,000

96,000 - 144,000

By the middle stages of their careers, individuals are usually in specialized positions.

10+ years of experience

Maximum of 21,000

As much as  252,000

Senior positions, leadership roles

Also Read: Top Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia: Salary & Benefits

What are the Regional Salary Differences for Nurses Across Saudi Arabia?

The regional pay variance affects the entirety of nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary and people are asked to carry out mild fights. The medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses average income varies widely depending on location, as regional economies vary according to the needs of health services and differences in cost of living. In the following analysis, we will examine in detail the region-wise variation in salaries:

Nurse Salary Comparison of the Major Cities in Saudi Arabia Table:

City

Monthly Salary Range (SAR)

Annual Salary (SAR)

Key Advantages

Riyadh

8,000 - 12,000

96,000 - 144,000

Capital city opportunities, advanced facilities, and career growth

Jeddah

7,500 - 11,000

90,000 - 132,000

Coastal lifestyle, competitive pay, and private healthcare presence

Dammam

7,000 - 10,500

84,000 - 126,000

Industrial growth, the emerging healthcare sector

 

What are the Economic Drivers for Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia?

  • Urban Premium: Big cities pay between 15 and 25 per cent over the salaries

  • Healthcare Demand: The crowding of people increases the rates of compensation

  • Competition: The presence of more than one health care provider raises competition for salaries

  • Infrastructure: There are advanced facilities to aid higher salary scales

Cost of Living Factors for Nurses in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Region Type

Housing Costs

Transportation

Overall Cost Premium

Large Cores

30-40 per cent

Higher Premium rates

+25-35%

Secondary cities 

15-25 per cent increase

Average charges

10-20 per cent

Smaller Cities

Baseline

Standard rates

Baseline

What is the Benefits Package for Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia 2025?

A person counting money; Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary:  TerraTern

The overall benefits package accompanying nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary, including a pay cut-off, is much more than just, and thus it makes these jobs highly appealing to healthcare professionals at international levels. These employment opportunities in the health sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offer salary packages with significant supplementary benefits that may boost total remuneration by 30-40 per cent.

  • Tax-Free Salary - 100% of your nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary package is yours with no deductions in the form of income taxes, meaning you can save significantly compared to your home country and maximise the value of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses.

  • Free Accommodation & Transportation - Fully furnished housing with utilities included and free transportation to/from work, which helps save a lot of money and helps to increase the value of the nurse employment salary package in Saudi Arabia to a great extent

  • Annual Flight Benefits - Annual round-trip to home country plus flights to depart and enter Saudi Arabia are covered, worth thousands of dollars in addition to the nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary work as a nurse compensation package.

  • Extensive Healthcare Services - Full medical and dental coverage to the employees, including emergency and preventive care, further increasing the overall medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary package for nurses.

  • Liberal Vacation Time - 45-61 days of paid time off (8-9 weeks), paid vacation along with national holidays and sick leaves, offering an excellent work-life balance with nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary packages

  • Sign-On & Annual Bonuses - Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary offer sign-on bonuses up to $5,000 on a 2-year contract, plus end-of-year bonuses that can be as much as a month's salary, continuing to make Saudi Arabia a highly competitive destination with nursing salaries

Increasing Salary Benefits Value

These perks increase base nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary levels by figures that approximate 30-40 per cent, so the total value of a complete compensation package of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salaries is considerably more than the salary itself. Entry-level nurses that AKF can hire at a monthly salary of SAR 6,000-8,000 can increase this total value to SAR 8,000-11,000 when they add to their salary the benefits the organisation perceives.

The benefits package in Saudi Arabia nursing jobs, which includes tax-free income, benefits, and professional development opportunities, is one of the most competitive healthcare rewards packages globally to healthcare professionals planning international advancement in their careers.

Sign-on Bonuses and Contract Incentives

Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary packages have good bonus structures, and they come with sufficient bonuses to raise the total compensation level. These perks elevate medical employment in Saudi Arabia nurse salaries as being some of the most lucrative in the world, with incentives incrementing thousands of dollars on top of system payroll salaries.  

Bonus Type

1-Year Contract

2-Year Contract

Additional Details

Sign-on Bonus

$2,500 USD

$5,000 USD

Paid within the first few months

End-of-Year Bonus

Full month's salary

Full month's salary

SAR 6,000-12,000 typical range

Service Awards

15 days salary

15 days salary

Per year of service completed

Bonus amounts are in addition to base nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary figures and enhance the total value of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses' packages.

Also Read: Cruise Ship Nurse Jobs: Salary, Opening, Requirements & More

What are the Types of Nursing Positions Available in Saudi Arabia for Indians in 2025?

The different types of Nursing positions available in Saudi Arabia are: RNs, LPNs, and Nursing support positions. The flourishing healthcare industry nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary in different specialities and work environments. The kingdom offers competitive medical jobs in Saudi Arabia, with salary packages to nurses in different specialities, which means that there are always pathways of career growth. 

Specialization

The Range of Monthly Salaries (SAR)

Description

Staff Nurse (Entry-Level)

3,800-17,000

This is an entry-level position where candidates with less than five years of experience are hired to work directly as nurses.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Nurse Varies

The role can be above and beyond the normal nursing job. It involves working with patients in intensive care, dealing with unstable and critically ill patients. ICU senior nurses with more than eight years of experience can earn as high as 16,700 SAR/month.

ER Nurse Various

may be higher than regular nursing

Specifically trained in what can be thought of as life-saving nursing of those in an emergency.

Cardiac Nurse

Various provides special nursing care to heart patients. 

The average SAR/month of a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Registered Nurse is 4,350 SAR/month, e.g

Pediatric Nurse

Earns an average of 9,500 SAR/month. Deals with the nursing of children and babies

Pediatric cardiovascular Intensive Care Nurses are paid much higher, with senior PICU nurses averaging over 16,900 SAR/month.

OR Nurse

The average pay varies depending on experience. 

They work in surgery departments, in collaboration with surgeons, and serve patients at pre-, during, and post-operation phases.

Oncology Nurse

Depends on the experience

Treats cancer patients, provides them with treatment, and administers their care.

Higher management salaries

More management positions

Supervises day-to-day activities, oversees the administration of other nursing staff, and performs administrative work. Can make more than 12,000 SAR/month based on the size of the facility.

Nurse Educator 

Varies 

Trains and teaches fellow nurses as well as nursing students

 

Career Opportunities for Male Nurses in Saudi Arabia

The nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary market has various opportunities depending on the speciality, and attractive medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses. The most important types of positions include the following: 

Primary Categories of Male Nursing Positions 

  • ICU, Emergency Department, and PACU - openings at SAR 9,000-15,000/month with strong demand in cardiac, surgical, and paediatric ICU specialities

  • Operating Room and Surgical nurses - OR nurses, recovery and transplant coordination, with a salary of 9,500-13,500 per month

  • Medical-Surgical Nurses - Medical-surgical unit staff nurses, with wages SAR 6,000-10,000 per month, form the base of nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary advancement line.

  • Paediatrics & Neonatology - NICU, pediatric cardiac care, and pediatric oncology positions with a SAR: 8,000-16,000 monthly salary on title roles providing child healthcare Specialists

  • Oncology and Special Care - Oncology nurses, dialysis nurses, and wound care nurses receive a SAR 10,000-17,000 salary per month in an emerging field of expertise

  • Leadership and Management Roles - The head nursing positions, nursing managers, and nursing supervisors earn SAR 12,000-20,000 per month and can grow their careers in the field of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary for nurses package. 

Male Nurse Jobs in Saudi Arabia 2025

Male nurses face high prospects in the Saudi Arabian healthcare system, especially in the culturally sensitive sectors that demand male employees to address male clients and a similar competitive range of nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary.

  • Cardiac Intensive Care Department - A high-demand department earning over SAR 8000-14,000 per month. Male nurses are preferred in the following departments: cardiac ICU, medical ICU, and trauma emergency department.s

  • Surgical Units and Operating Rooms - OR Nurses, recovery unit jobs with salaries of SAR 9,000-13,000, as well as male surgical ward charge nurse jobs, where recruitment is robust

  • Male Medical Units - Dedicated male medical-surgical units that need a male staff, and where salaries can range from SAR 7,00012,000 each month

  • Critical Specialised Care- job perspectives as a dialysis unit, cardiac care, and oncology, with the earning range of SAR 7500-12000/month, with the salary range of nurses specifically permitting the male candidates in Saudi Arabia

  • Emergency and Trauma Services - Male-oriented workplaces in emergency trauma care and in critical transport services, with assigned premium nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary, with salaries of SAR 8,500- 13,500 monthly wages

  • Track(s) - management and leadership - Male charge nurses/unit managers with SAR 12,000-17,000 a month, and cultural benefits in male patient areas

  • Entry Level Salary of a Male Nurse- The Monthly starting range is SAR 5,300, with fast career advancement avenues in special departments and administrative positions.

How to Apply for Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia? Latest Method and Guide 2025

A person holding money in one hand and finance in another hand; Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary - TerraTern

 Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary positions require one to follow certain steps and comply with regulatory provisions in the application process. The following is a simplified version of how to find medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salary, with respect to nurses: 

How does it work?

  1. Document Preparation and Eligibility Search - Gather a BSc Nursing degree, and current professional license, at least 1-2 years of experience, but not more than 5 years of clinical experience, and have Dataflow perform their verification of credentials (about 6-8 weeks processing)

  2. CFHS Registration & Classification - Apply online to SC for Health Specialities portal, upload verified documentation, and be classified as a profession to find out whether eligible to practice as a nurse

  3. Saudi Prometric Examination - Pass the computer-based clinical knowledge test with a minimum 45 per cent score (50 per cent on some positions). Three attempts are allowed, and most nurses pass it within one hour.

  4. Job Matching and Interview Process - Connect with recruiting firms that are licensed to identify qualifications with hospital needs, engage in video-based interviewing (Microsoft Teams), and conduct contract negotiations

  5. Visa Processing (Iqama) -Post clearance certificate, help on all medical tests, and the employer-sponsored visa may take 240 days to be approved and stamped in the Saudi Embassy

  6. Final Onboarding & Travel - Finalise the whole 8-10 months cycle workflow, with travel, accommodation, orientation, and integration being supported by the employer offering nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian work visa. 

Also Read: Male Nurse Vacancy Abroad: Updated International Opportunities

What are the Living and Working Conditions for Nurses in Saudi Arabia?

The complete living and working conditions of nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary demands bring in the best conditions that augment the worth of medical jobs in Saudi Arabia salaries for nurses packages: 

Working Conditions 

  1. Structured Working Schedule - 42-48 hours per week on a 22-shift basis with a 6-week cycle with hours in day shifts (07:00-19:30) and night shifts (19:00-07:30), a Sunday work week

  2. Modern Healthcare Setting - The latest technology, multi-cultural international colleagues, and steady growth in nursing careers, Saudi Arabia jobs with high salaries

  3. Complete Accommodation - Fully furnished housing with utilities, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi facilities, and contemporary amenities, or a housing allowance option to be accommodated in a place of choice near the workplace

  4. Full Healthcare Benefits - Free full comprehensive medical insurance, access to employer hospitals, emergency care, preventive care, and dental coverage for all workers

  5. Cultural Integration Support - Orientation to the Saudi customs, optional Arabic language classes, mentoring of the foreign staff, and vibrant communities of expatriate nurses

  6. Safety & Security Measures - Safe hospital surroundings are assured with 24/7 security, safe transportation arrangements, and emergency protocols, along with 24-hour support to international nurses employed in medical jobs in Saudi Arabia, in terms and conditions of employment in medical jobs in Saudi Arabia, and salary levels in medical jobs offered in Saudi Arabia.

  7. Other Pins: Up to 45-61 days annual leave, annual flights back to home country, recreational facilities with gym and pool, and a very healthy work-life balance with sufficient rest between shifts.

Latest Facts and News 

A person taking a blood sample from another person; Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary: TerraTern

  • High Demand Surge: Critical care and pediatric nurses are needed due to expanding healthcare facilities

  • Government Incentives: Higher wages and easier visa processing attract expatriate nurses

  • Rising Salaries: Wages continue increasing in major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam

  • Simplified Visa Policies: Work visa approvals are now faster with streamlined processes

  • Training Programs: New initiatives help foreign nurses adapt to Saudi healthcare standards

  • Tax-free Income: All nursing salaries remain completely tax-free for international nurses

  • Male Nurse Opportunities: Increasing demand for male nurses in the ICU, ER, and surgical units

Also Read: Staff Nurse Salary: Average Pay, Benefits, and Insights

 

Conclusion

 Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary packages are a highly competitive offering in the international healthcare sector and guarantee highly favorable financial remuneration, alongside distinct professional growth opportunities. The Kingdom aims to achieve excellence in healthcare and this has led to a surge in demand of qualified nursing professionals as currently realized by medical jobs in saudi arabia salary for nurses which offer salary between SAR 6,000-8,000 on the lower end in entry level nursing jobs to SAR 19,000+ as the high end in some of the specialized positions coupled with tax-free income increasing the take home pay significantly when compared to taxed countries.

Contact TerraTern for more information on Nursing Jobs in Saudi Arabia Salary: Complete Guide for Medical Professionals 2025.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary range for nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary packages?

The nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia salary ranges from SAR 6,000-8,000 monthly for entry-level positions to SAR 19,000+ for specialised roles, with an average of SAR 11,858 monthly. These tax-free salaries, combined with comprehensive benefits including free accommodation and healthcare, make the total compensation package 30-40% higher than base salary alone.

Are nursing salaries in Saudi Arabia really tax-free?

Yes, there is no income tax deducted from salaries in Saudi Arabia, significantly increasing take-home pay compared to other countries. However, you remain responsible for any tax obligations in your home country and should consult relevant authorities for guidance.

Do I need to learn Arabic to work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia?

Arabic is not mandatory, as English is widely used in healthcare settings throughout Saudi Arabia. However,a basic understanding of Arabic helps with patient communication and cultural integration, though most hospitals provide orientation programs to support international staff.

What is the Saudi Council Exam (SCFHS) and how do I pass it?

The SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialities) licensing exam is a computer-based test requiring a minimum 45-50% passing score to practice nursing in Saudi Arabia. The exam covers clinical knowledge and nursing skills, with three attempts allowed and most nurses completing it within one hour.

Can male nurses find opportunities in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, male nurses are in high demand, especially in ICUs, emergency departments, surgical units, and male medical wards where cultural considerations favour male staff. Male nurses earn competitive salaries ranging from SAR 8,000-14,000 monthly in specialised units.

How long does the complete application process take for nursing positions?

The entire process from application to arrival typically takes 8-10 months, including document preparation (6-8 weeks), SCFHS registration, Prometric examination, job matching and interviews, and visa processing (2-4 months for work permit approval).

What benefits are included beyond the base salary?

Benefits include free furnished accommodation, comprehensive healthcare coverage, annual flight tickets, transportation services, sign-on bonuses up to $5,000, end-of-year bonuses, 45-61 days paid vacation, and professional development opportunities.

What specialisations offer the highest nursing salaries in Saudi Arabia?

Specialised areas like ICU nursing (SAR 10,000-15,000), surgical nursing (SAR 9,500-13,500), and oncology nursing (SAR 11,000-17,000) offer premium salaries, with head nurses and management positions earning SAR 12,000-20,000 monthly.

Are there opportunities for career advancement in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, Saudi Arabia offers excellent career progression opportunities with clear promotion pathways, professional development programs, merit increases up to 6% annually, and opportunities to advance from staff nurse to supervisory and management roles.

What is the work schedule and working conditions for nurses?

Nurses work 42-48 hours per week with 22 shifts over 6-week periods, rotating between day shifts (07:00-19:30) and night shifts (19:00-07:30), Sunday to Thursday work week, in modern healthcare facilities with international teams.