Teach English in Saudi Arabia
Salaries
Join a global community of over 200,000 TEFL teachers working throughout the world! Enrol me!
Table of Content
Other benefits available
Where teachers earn the most
Saudi Arabia cost of living
Saving as a TEFL teacher
How to start teaching
Teaching jobs abound in Saudi Arabia! TEFL teachers can teach at international schools, language centres, universities and colleges.
TEFL teachers can earn between SAR 9,000 and SAR 18,000 ($2,500 and $5,000 USD) a month.
A Bachelor’s degree is necessary to teach in Saudi Arabia, as well as a TEFL certificate, but teachers with teaching qualifications and experience can expect higher salaries.
And don’t forget: your salary is tax-free!
In addition to salary, what other benefits can be available?
One of the reasons Saudi Arabia is so popular with TEFL teachers is its generous packages. Salaries usually include:
- flights,
- accommodation,
- visa reimbursement,
- health insurance,
- end-of-contract bonuses, and
- 8 weeks’ paid holiday.
Where in Saudi Arabia do teachers earn the most?
Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam are the most popular cities for teaching English. These are bigger cities and offer more opportunities for TEFL teachers. These are the cities where you find the most language schools, international schools and universities.
Salaries don’t vary much around the country but rather depend on the institution and your experience and qualifications. Simply put, the more qualified and experienced you are, the higher your salary will be.
How much is the cost of living in Saudi Arabia?
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is lower than in other Middle Eastern countries. It varies slightly from city to city, with bigger cities like Jeddah and Riyadh having a higher cost of living than smaller cities.
The average cost of living for a single person in Saudi Arabia per month is approximately SAR 3,000 ($800) before rent, which you probably won’t need to worry about anyway.
Is it possible to save in Saudi Arabia as a teacher?
Saudi Arabia is all about saving!
The high tax-free salaries, generous benefits and low cost of living make saving the name of the game for TEFL teachers in Saudi Arabia.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of spending money on luxury items, fancy dinners and extravagant shopping trips. The fact that your nightlife is quite limited is advantageous. Saudi Arabia is not recommended for TEFL teachers who want to party their weekends away!
But if you’re serious about teaching, cultural experiences, and building up a nest egg, then this is the place to be.
How to start teaching English in Saudi Arabia
With the generous salaries and packages and the importance of education in Saudi Arabia, competition is tough for TEFL positions in Saudi Arabia.
You need a Bachelor’s degree and a Level 5 TEFL certificate. A teaching qualification (apart from the TEFL) is a bonus but not essential. Teaching experience is preferred.
The first step towards teaching in Saudi Arabia is to get TEFL qualified through a reputable and internationally recognised TEFL course provider. Don’t bother with anything less than a Level 5 TEFL course.
Once you’ve completed your TEFL course, apply for jobs through online jobs boards. Once you have secured an offer, your employer will help you through the somewhat lengthy process of submitting documents for a visa. Once your visa has been endorsed, stamped and approved (don’t worry, your employer will help you through these steps), you obtain a residence permit or iqama on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Table of Content
Teaching jobs abound in Saudi Arabia! TEFL teachers can teach at international schools, language centres, universities and colleges.
TEFL teachers can earn between SAR 9,000 and SAR 18,000 ($2,500 and $5,000 USD) a month.
A Bachelor’s degree is necessary to teach in Saudi Arabia, as well as a TEFL certificate, but teachers with teaching qualifications and experience can expect higher salaries.
And don’t forget: your salary is tax-free!
In addition to salary, what other benefits can be available?
One of the reasons Saudi Arabia is so popular with TEFL teachers is its generous packages. Salaries usually include:
- flights,
- accommodation,
- visa reimbursement,
- health insurance,
- end-of-contract bonuses, and
- 8 weeks’ paid holiday.
Where in Saudi Arabia do teachers earn the most?
Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam are the most popular cities for teaching English. These are bigger cities and offer more opportunities for TEFL teachers. These are the cities where you find the most language schools, international schools and universities.
Salaries don’t vary much around the country but rather depend on the institution and your experience and qualifications. Simply put, the more qualified and experienced you are, the higher your salary will be.
How much is the cost of living in Saudi Arabia?
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is lower than in other Middle Eastern countries. It varies slightly from city to city, with bigger cities like Jeddah and Riyadh having a higher cost of living than smaller cities.
The average cost of living for a single person in Saudi Arabia per month is approximately SAR 3,000 ($800) before rent, which you probably won’t need to worry about anyway.
Is it possible to save in Saudi Arabia as a teacher?
Saudi Arabia is all about saving!
The high tax-free salaries, generous benefits and low cost of living make saving the name of the game for TEFL teachers in Saudi Arabia.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of spending money on luxury items, fancy dinners and extravagant shopping trips. The fact that your nightlife is quite limited is advantageous. Saudi Arabia is not recommended for TEFL teachers who want to party their weekends away!
But if you’re serious about teaching, cultural experiences, and building up a nest egg, then this is the place to be.
How to start teaching English in Saudi Arabia
With the generous salaries and packages and the importance of education in Saudi Arabia, competition is tough for TEFL positions in Saudi Arabia.
You need a Bachelor’s degree and a Level 5 TEFL certificate. A teaching qualification (apart from the TEFL) is a bonus but not essential. Teaching experience is preferred.
The first step towards teaching in Saudi Arabia is to get TEFL qualified through a reputable and internationally recognised TEFL course provider. Don’t bother with anything less than a Level 5 TEFL course.
Once you’ve completed your TEFL course, apply for jobs through online jobs boards. Once you have secured an offer, your employer will help you through the somewhat lengthy process of submitting documents for a visa. Once your visa has been endorsed, stamped and approved (don’t worry, your employer will help you through these steps), you obtain a residence permit or iqama on arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Download the World TEFL Factbook
We have created a unique TEFL World Factbook of teaching abroad guides in over 100 countries to help TEFL teachers decide where in the world to teach English. Each country profile outlines everything a TEFL teacher would need to know including average pay, living costs, working environments and even the weather!
Download TEFL Factbook
TEFL Jobs in Saudi Arabia
View AllOther Places in The Middle East
View AllTeach English Abroad Articles
-
Teach and Travel
Why TEFL Is A Great Online Side Hustle
2025-02-04
-
Teach and Travel
Celebrating Chinese New Year
2025-01-29
-
Teach and Travel
Get Ready To Travel: Off-The-Beaten-Track Destinations To Visit In 2025
2025-01-28
-
In The News
Embracing AI In Teaching English: Tips And Tools For TEFL Teachers
2025-01-21
-
Teach and Travel
Why TEFL Is Your Ticket To Freedom In 2025
2025-01-17
-
Teaching English Abroad Jobs
Navigating The IELTS Exam: A Teacher’s Roadmap To Student Achievement
2025-01-14