Pilot Salary in Saudi Arabia range from SAR 18,000/month for entry-level first officers at Saudia to SAR 120,000/month for wide-body captains at the newly launched Riyadh Air — all paid tax-free. If you’re weighing a posting to the Kingdom, this is the only number comparison you need.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is growing faster than almost anywhere else on Earth right now. In 2024 alone, 128 million passengers moved through Saudi airports — a 15% jump from the year before. New airports are under construction. Riyadh Air launched as the country’s second flag carrier. Flynas ordered 280 new aircraft. The government’s Vision 2030 program has set a target of 330 million annual passengers by 2030.
All of that growth needs pilots. That’s exactly why the Kingdom’s airlines are paying some of the most competitive salaries in the Middle East — and in some cases, the world.
This guide breaks down real numbers by airline and rank. We cover Saudia, Riyadh Air, flynas, and flyadeal. We explain what the salary actually looks like after you factor in housing, education allowances, and the tax-free advantage. And we’re direct about what makes Saudi Arabia different from Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi when it comes to pilot pay.
Why Pilot Salaries in Saudi Arabia Are Rising in 2026?
Three forces are pushing pilot pay upward in the Kingdom right now — and none of them are slowing down.
First, there’s a genuine global pilot shortage. Industry forecasts show a deficit of nearly 35,000 pilots globally by the end of this decade. Post-pandemic, that shortage arrived faster than expected. Saudi airlines compete for the same limited pool of qualified pilots as every other airline on the planet. That forces them to outbid the competition.
Second, Saudi Arabia is adding airlines and aircraft at an extraordinary pace. Riyadh Air placed an order for 39 Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Flynas ordered 280 Airbus jets. Flyadeal is doubling its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030. Saudia has 77+ new aircraft on order. Every wide-body aircraft needs two type-rated pilots at minimum. The math pushes salaries up.
Third, Vision 2030 is not a brochure. Saudi Arabia recorded 94 million passengers between January and September 2024 — a 15% increase — with flights up 10% and air freight volumes surging 52%. The government’s National Aviation Strategy targets 1.2 million aviation jobs by 2030. Airlines have to pay competitively to attract the workforce required to hit those numbers.
The result: pilot salaries in Saudi Arabia today are substantially higher than three years ago. Riyadh Air’s launch has set a new benchmark that is forcing Saudia and the low-cost carriers to respond.
Pilot Salary in Saudi Arabia: All Airlines Compared (2026)
| Airline | Role | Monthly (SAR) | Monthly (USD approx.) | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh Air | First Officer (NB) | SAR 60,000 | ~$16,000 | A321neo |
| Riyadh Air | First Officer (WB) | SAR 65,000 | ~$17,300 | Boeing 787-9 |
| Riyadh Air | Captain (NB) | SAR 115,000 | ~$30,700 | A321neo |
| Riyadh Air | Captain (WB) | SAR 120,000 | ~$32,000 | Boeing 787-9 |
| Saudia | First Officer | SAR 18,000–30,000 | ~$4,800–$8,000 | Various |
| Saudia | Captain | SAR 45,000–80,000+ | ~$12,000–$21,500+ | Various |
| flynas | Pilot (all ranks) | SAR 20,000–40,000 | ~$5,300–$10,700 | A320 family |
| flyadeal | Pilot (all ranks) | SAR 20,000–40,000 | ~$5,300–$10,700 | A320neo |
Sources: Aviation A2Z (Oct–Nov 2025), Travel Weekly Asia, official airline recruitment data. USD conversion at 1 USD = 3.75 SAR. NB = narrow-body, WB = wide-body.
Riyadh Air’s numbers are genuinely exceptional. A wide-body first officer earns more at Riyadh Air than a narrow-body captain at most European and Asian airlines — before any allowances are counted.
Saudia Pilot Salary: The Established Choice
Saudia is the Kingdom’s flag carrier and one of the largest employers of pilots in the Middle East. It operates a diverse fleet across routes to Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Most of its pilots are expatriates.
A first officer at Saudia in 2025 earns a base salary between SAR 18,000 and SAR 30,000 per month — approximately $4,800 to $8,000 — depending on experience, total flight hours, and aircraft type. Captains earn roughly SAR 45,000 to SAR 80,000 or more per month.
On top of the base, Saudia pilots receive flight-hour bonuses, per-sector compensation, and layover allowances that meaningfully lift the total. A Saudia captain on a wide-body long-haul roster with regular overnight layovers will consistently earn above the published ceiling.
Benefits include company-provided or assisted housing, annual home flights for expatriates and their dependents, medical insurance, and end-of-service gratuity. Career progression is structured and the airline invests in type ratings and recurrent training.
Saudia pilots are based primarily across Jeddah, Riyadh, and Madinah — the country’s three main aviation hubs.
Riyadh Air Pilot Salary: The New Benchmark
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier, owned by the Public Investment Fund. It launched operations with one of the most aggressive pilot compensation packages anywhere in the world.
First officers on narrow-body aircraft earn SAR 60,000 per month — approximately $16,000. Wide-body first officers earn SAR 65,000. Narrow-body captains earn SAR 115,000, and wide-body captains reach SAR 120,000 per month. Overtime kicks in above 75 flight hours per month and pays between SAR 400 and SAR 600 per hour depending on aircraft type.
The benefits package matches the salary ambition. Pilots receive luxury company housing, international school tuition for up to three children, 20 confirmed round-trip flights per year for family, a Ramadan bonus equivalent to one month’s salary, a guaranteed 5% annual pay increase, and business class annual home travel. Riyadh Air is the first Middle Eastern airline to extend the education allowance to children studying abroad.
Why is Riyadh Air paying this much? Simple. The airline launched into a severe global pilot shortage. To attract experienced wide-body and narrow-body crews at scale, it had to set a price that made the decision easy — for pilots weighing other offers in Europe, North America, and elsewhere in the Gulf.
Flynas and flyadeal Pilot Salary
Both flynas and flyadeal operate Airbus A320 family aircraft as low-cost carriers. Their salary scales are lower than Saudia or Riyadh Air — that’s expected. They remain competitive within the low-cost segment globally.
Pilots at flynas earn between SAR 20,000 and SAR 40,000 per month. The roster is typically built around 20 days on and 10 days off. flynas has ordered 280 new aircraft, which signals aggressive crew expansion over the next several years.
Flyadeal, an A320neo-only operator, runs similar pay scales. The airline delivered its first fully-owned A320neo in 2024 and is targeting 100 aircraft by 2030. Both carriers offer housing allowances and the standard expat package — annual home flights and medical coverage included.
For pilots early in their careers or seeking a clear path to wide-body command elsewhere, these carriers offer structured progression timelines. Both fleets are expanding fast, and they need captains.
Read Also: Pilot Salary in Pakistan 2026: Complete Guide
The Tax-Free Advantage: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Saudi Arabia does not impose personal income tax on employment income. Your salary is not taxed at the personal level — regardless of nationality.
This changes the real-world value of these salaries significantly. A Saudia captain earning SAR 60,000 per month takes home SAR 60,000. No deduction. A pilot earning the equivalent gross salary in Germany, the UK, or Australia would lose 30–45% to income tax before spending a single riyal equivalent.
The comparison gets sharper when you factor in housing, education, and travel allowances — all provided tax-free as part of the employment contract. Saudi law confirms that housing, transport, and education benefits remain untaxed when properly structured.
Here’s a practical example: a Saudia first officer earning SAR 25,000 base, SAR 8,000 housing allowance, and SAR 3,000 transport keeps all SAR 36,000. In the UK, achieving the same disposable income requires a gross salary above £80,000+.
Full Benefits Package: What Saudi Airlines Actually Provide
| Benefit | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Allowance | 25–50% of basic salary | Or company-provided compound accommodation |
| Education Allowance | SAR 1,000–2,500/month per child | Up to 3 children; Riyadh Air extends to abroad |
| Annual Home Flight | 1–2 return tickets | Riyadh Air: 1 business class ticket |
| Family Travel | Varies | Riyadh Air: 20 confirmed round-trips per year |
| Medical Insurance | Full coverage | Typically extended to spouse and dependents |
| Ramadan Bonus | 1 month’s salary | Standard at Riyadh Air; varies at others |
| End-of-Service Gratuity | Half month per year (yrs 1–5) | Then full month per year; based on basic salary |
| Annual Pay Increase | 5% guaranteed (Riyadh Air) | Other carriers performance-linked |
End-of-service gratuity deserves attention. A pilot who stays five years on a SAR 30,000 basic salary accumulates SAR 75,000 in guaranteed gratuity on top of everything they earned during the contract. It functions as a deferred loyalty bonus built into Saudi labor law.
Pilot Salary in Saudi Arabia vs UAE: A Direct Comparison
| Metric | Saudia | Riyadh Air | Emirates / Etihad (UAE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FO Monthly Base | SAR 18,000–30,000 | SAR 60,000–65,000 | AED 26,000–40,000 |
| Captain Monthly Base | SAR 45,000–80,000+ | SAR 115,000–120,000 | AED 42,000–70,000+ |
| Income Tax | Zero | Zero | Zero |
| Housing | Allowance or provided | Company-provided (luxury) | Allowance or provided |
| Annual Pay Increase | Varies | 5% guaranteed | Varies |
SAR and AED are near parity. 1 USD = 3.75 SAR = 3.67 AED.
Riyadh Air pays more than Emirates and Etihad for equivalent roles. That is not normal. It is a deliberate strategy to build a competitive talent pool from scratch. Saudia’s range is broadly similar to Etihad first officer rates and slightly below Emirates captain rates at the base level — but Saudi Arabia’s cost of living is lower than Dubai, which improves real purchasing power for pilots based in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The Vision 2030 Effect on Pilot Pay Through 2030
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector contributed $53 billion to the economy in 2023. The industry is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 8.88% between 2025 and 2029.
The National Aviation Strategy targets 330 million annual passengers by 2030 — nearly three times 2023’s level. Six new runways at King Salman International Airport. Jeddah’s airport expanding to 114 million passenger capacity. Riyadh Air scaling to 100+ international destinations.
Every capacity expansion requires qualified cockpit crews. With a global pilot shortage expected to demand 800,000 new pilots over the next 20 years, Saudi airlines will continue competing aggressively on pay to attract and retain experienced flight crew.
For pilots considering the Kingdom — the trajectory points upward. The salary floor is rising. The fleet orders guarantee demand. And the tax-free structure means more of every raise goes directly into your account.
Saudi Arabia is not just filling cockpit seats right now. It is building the infrastructure for one of the world’s largest aviation markets. Pilots who establish themselves in the Kingdom during this expansion window will have career positioning that comes around once in a generation.
Read Also: Pilot Salary in Bangladesh 2026: Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pilot earn in Saudi Arabia per month?
It depends on the airline and rank. flynas and flyadeal pilots earn SAR 20,000–40,000. Saudia first officers earn SAR 18,000–30,000; captains earn SAR 45,000–80,000+. Riyadh Air pays the highest — SAR 60,000 to SAR 120,000 per month depending on rank and aircraft type.
Is the pilot salary in Saudi Arabia tax-free?
Yes. Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax on employment income, regardless of nationality. Every riyal of base salary and allowances goes directly to you.
How much does a Riyadh Air pilot earn?
First officers earn SAR 60,000 (narrow-body) or SAR 65,000 (wide-body) monthly. Captains earn SAR 115,000 (narrow-body) or SAR 120,000 (wide-body). These figures exceed equivalent roles at Emirates and Etihad.
What benefits do pilots get in Saudi Arabia?
Housing allowance or company accommodation, annual home flights, medical insurance for pilot and family, education allowance for up to three children, and end-of-service gratuity. Riyadh Air adds 20 family round-trips per year and a guaranteed 5% annual salary increase.
Which Saudi airline pays pilots the most?
Riyadh Air — and as of 2025, among the highest of any airline worldwide for comparable roles. Saudia is second. flynas and flyadeal are lower in base but both fleets are expanding rapidly.
How does Saudi Arabia compare to UAE for pilot pay?
Riyadh Air pays more than Emirates and Etihad for comparable roles. Saudia is broadly level with Etihad first officer rates. Saudi Arabia’s lower cost of living versus Dubai improves real purchasing power further.
Bottom Line
Pilot salaries in Saudi Arabia range from SAR 20,000/month at low-cost carriers to SAR 120,000/month at Riyadh Air’s captain scale — all tax-free. The market is growing faster than almost anywhere in the world, with three new airports under development, four airlines expanding fleets simultaneously, and a government strategy directly tied to increasing pilot demand through 2030.
If you’re an experienced first officer or captain evaluating your next posting, Saudi Arabia deserves a serious look. The numbers are strong. The trajectory is upward. And the pilot shortage means the airlines need you more than ever. For more information, visit crewdaily.com.
