Doctor Salary in Saudi Arabia 2026: GP, Specialist and Consultant Pay by Specialty, City and Hospital Type — in SAR, USD, Rupees and Pesos
What doctors earn in Saudi Arabia in 2026: monthly tax-free SAR ranges for GPs, specialists and consultants, how SCFHS classification sets your grade, specialty and remote-region premiums, government vs private packages, end-of-service rules and conversions to USD, INR, PKR and PHP.
A Saudi offer for a doctor is decided by one thing more than any other: the grade SCFHS gives you. The same doctor classified as a GP instead of a specialist can lose half the salary. This guide sets out what doctors earn in Saudi Arabia in 2026 by grade, specialty, city and employer, and how to read the package.
Doctor salary in Saudi Arabia by grade
| Grade | Monthly (SAR) | USD | INR | PKR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner / Resident | SAR 12,000–25,000 | USD 3,200–6,670 | INR 281,500–586,500 | PKR 896,000–1,866,500 |
| Specialist / Registrar | SAR 25,000–50,000 | USD 6,670–13,500 | INR 586,500–1,173,500 | PKR 1,866,500–3,733,500 |
| Consultant | SAR 45,000–90,000 | USD 12,000–24,000 | INR 1,056,000–2,112,000 | PKR 3,360,000–6,720,000 |
Salaries are approximate 2026 monthly, tax-free ranges for a mid-experience (3–5 year) hire, blended from published pay scales, recruiter ranges and offers our placement team has seen. Home-currency figures use fixed rates (USD 1 = SAR 3.75, AED 3.67, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Always go by the offer letter.
Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, and social insurance for non-Saudi employees is paid by the employer, so the figure on the contract is close to what reaches your account.
How experience and employer move the number
- 0–2 years in grade: about 10% below the band.
- 6–10 years: about 15% above.
- 10+ years: about 30% above, especially for consultants with sub-specialty training.
- Government and military hospitals (MOH health clusters, National Guard, military and university hospitals): about 10% above private, with the strongest benefits and structured scales.
- Remote regions (Jazan, Najran, Tabuk, the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf): commonly 10–25% more, or a separate remote-area allowance, because these posts are hard to fill.
The GCC salary calculator applies these factors and converts to your home currency.
Which specialties earn the most
| Specialty group | Position in the band | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthesia, ICU, emergency medicine | Upper | Chronic shortage and on-call load (anaesthesia, ICU, EM) |
| Interventional cardiology, neurosurgery, radiology | Upper, often above for consultants | Procedural revenue in private groups |
| Obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics / NICU | Middle to upper | High volume; female OB-GYNs especially sought |
| Family medicine, internal medicine | Middle | Largest number of posts, steady demand |
| General practice | GP band | Primary care and ER cover |
SCFHS classification decides your grade
SCFHS classifies each doctor through Mumaris+ after DataFlow. A postgraduate qualification it recognises (for example Arab Board, MRCP, FRCS, many MD/MS programmes, FCPS in some specialties) combined with the required post-qualification experience gives you a specialist grade; without it you are classified as a GP or resident, whatever your job title at home. Read SCFHS classification explained and which qualifications are recognised before you negotiate — an offer for a specialist post is conditional on the classification.
What the package includes
- Basic salary — the figure end-of-service is calculated on.
- Housing: furnished accommodation or an allowance, typically about 25% of basic (often paid as three months' basic a year).
- Transport: around 10% of basic or provided.
- Annual flights for you, and for family at specialist and consultant level.
- Leave: 30 days or more a year is usual for doctors.
- Medical insurance for you and usually dependants.
- End of service: half a month's wage for each of the first five years and a full month for each year after, under Saudi labour law.
- Dependant levy: SAR 400 a month per dependant. Ask whether the employer covers it.
Saudi Arabia vs the UAE
UAE bands are slightly higher at the top — see doctor salary in UAE — but Saudi housing and living costs are lower, government packages are generous, and specialist demand is larger. The GCC salary comparison puts all six countries side by side.
How to get there
The route is Mumaris+ registration, DataFlow, SCFHS classification and the Saudi Prometric or SMLE exam: how to get a doctor job in Saudi Arabia, SMLE guide, SCFHS fees and the SCFHS exam for doctors. Doctors who want Saudi employers to find them can join the Saudi talent pool.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GP's salary in Saudi Arabia?
About SAR 12,000–25,000 a month tax-free for a GP with 3–5 years' experience, roughly USD 3,200–6,670, plus housing, transport and flights.
How much does a specialist doctor earn in Saudi Arabia?
About SAR 25,000–50,000 a month, with anaesthesia, ICU, EM and procedural specialties at the top of the range.
What is a consultant's salary in Saudi Arabia?
About SAR 45,000–90,000 a month, higher for sub-specialists in private tertiary hospitals.
Do doctors pay tax in Saudi Arabia?
No. There is no personal income tax, and the employer pays social insurance for non-Saudi staff.
Why was I offered a GP salary as a specialist?
Because SCFHS classified your qualification or experience at GP level. Check the classification before accepting, or ask for the offer to be revised once you are reclassified.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.