Realistic monthly pay for house, company, pickup and heavy truck drivers in Saudi Arabia, plus the allowances that make a big difference.
"How much will I earn?" is the first question every driver asks. Salaries in Saudi Arabia vary a lot by job type, experience, licence and nationality. Below are realistic ranges for expat drivers, based on advertised jobs and salary surveys in 2026.
Typical monthly salaries (SAR)
- House / family driver: about SAR 1,000–3,000. New drivers recruited from abroad often start at SAR 1,000–1,500. Experienced drivers with a Saudi licence who know the city usually get SAR 1,800–2,000 or more, and drivers who speak good Arabic or English can reach SAR 2,000–3,000. Room, food and medical care are normally provided.
- Company / office / light vehicle driver: about SAR 2,500–3,500, usually with housing or a housing allowance. VIP and executive drivers with good English sit at the top of the range.
- Light truck and pickup driver: about SAR 2,000–3,500 with housing, sometimes food.
- Heavy truck and trailer driver: about SAR 3,000–4,500 for experienced drivers already in the Gulf, often plus trip allowances. Some overseas recruitment offers start much lower, around SAR 1,200–1,800 plus trip allowance, food and housing.
- Delivery driver: usually a base salary plus a per-order bonus. Total pay depends heavily on how many orders you complete.
These are ranges, not an official scale. Use them to judge whether an offer is fair.
Why offers vary so much
- Recruited from abroad vs hired locally. Drivers already in Saudi Arabia with a Saudi licence and transferable iqama earn noticeably more than first-time recruits.
- Licence class. A heavy or trailer licence adds a lot. Tanker and hazardous-goods drivers earn the most.
- Language. Arabic or English opens VIP, executive and family roles that pay more.
- Allowances. SAR 1,800 with free housing, food and transport can be worth more than SAR 2,500 with nothing included.
Overtime and working hours
For company drivers under the Labour Law, normal hours are 8 a day or 48 a week, and overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic hourly wage. House drivers come under the separate domestic worker regulation, which guarantees at least 9 hours of daily rest and a weekly day off.
Salary payment rules
Salaries for domestic workers, including house drivers, must now be paid electronically into a bank account or wallet rather than in cash. Company drivers are paid through the Wage Protection System. If your salary is late, keep records and contact the Ministry of Human Resources.
End of service
Company drivers earn an end-of-service award: half a month's wage for each of the first five years and a full month for each year after. See our end of service guide for drivers.
Check before you accept
- Is the salary basic or total? Allowances matter for end of service.
- Are housing, food, medical insurance and the ticket home included?
- Who pays for the Saudi licence?
- Get the offer in writing and make sure the contract on Qiwa or Musaned matches it.
Browse current driver jobs in Saudi Arabia to compare real offers.
Common questions
Is salary paid in Hijri or Gregorian months?
For house drivers, salary is due at the end of each Hijri month unless the contract says otherwise. Companies usually pay by the Gregorian month.
Can my salary be reduced after I arrive?
Not without your agreement. The salary on your registered contract is what you're owed. Keep a copy of the offer and contract.
Do drivers pay income tax in Saudi Arabia?
No. Saudi Arabia doesn't tax salaries. Social insurance contributions apply to some company workers.
Who pays for my iqama?
The employer pays the iqama and work permit fees for both company and house drivers.
