Hourly Rates in Saudi Arabia, September 2026: What Welders, Pipe Fitters, Foremen and Safety Officers Are Really Being Offered
Real hourly rates from Saudi job posts published 22 to 23 September 2026: helpers 11 SAR, steel fixers 13 SAR, pipe fitters 16 to 18 SAR, 6G welders 24 SAR, safety officers 28 SAR. Plus a monthly pay calculator and tips to negotiate a better rate.
How much should a pipe fitter earn per hour in Saudi Arabia right now? What is a fair rate for a 6G welder in Turaif, or a steel fixer in Riyadh? Salary websites give you old averages. We did something different: we took the actual rates written in job posts that were shared this week and published on Saudi Job Seeker.
Everything below comes from real requirements posted on 22 and 23 September 2026. Rates are in Saudi Riyals (SAR) per hour.
Quick answer: rates offered this week
Helper: 11 SAR per hour (large mining project, Turaif)
Steel fixer: 13 SAR per hour, with food, accommodation and transport free (Riyadh)
Spark (spray) painter: 15 SAR per hour (Tabuk, 1-year project)
Pipe fitter: 16 SAR per hour (Ras Tanura shutdown) and 17 SAR per hour (Turaif)
3G/4G welder: 17 SAR per hour (Turaif)
FRP pipe fitter, laminator and hydrotest mechanical worker: 18 SAR per hour (Turaif)
Work Permit Receiver (WPR): 22 SAR per hour (Turaif)
6G welder: 24 SAR per hour (Turaif)
Piping foreman: 25 SAR per hour (Turaif)
Mechanical technician (millwright and rotating machines): 25 SAR per hour (Turaif)
Safety officer: 28 SAR per hour (Turaif)
For comparison, public listings for Aramco approved WPRs show around 42 SAR per hour, which is why approval is worth so much. Read our guide to Aramco approved jobs to learn more.
What these rates mean per month
Most site jobs work around 10 hours a day and 26 days a month, which is 260 hours. Here is what the same rates look like as monthly pay, before deductions:
11 SAR per hour = about 2,860 SAR per month
13 SAR per hour = about 3,380 SAR per month
17 SAR per hour = about 4,420 SAR per month
24 SAR per hour = about 6,240 SAR per month
28 SAR per hour = about 7,280 SAR per month
Your real hours may be lower or higher. Shutdown jobs often run longer shifts for a short period. Always ask the recruiter how many hours are guaranteed per month.
Five things that change the value of a rate
1. FAT. "FAT company" means food, accommodation and transportation are paid by the employer. Without FAT, you pay for these yourself, which can cost several hundred riyals a month. Compare jobs only after you account for FAT.
2. Payment terms. Posts often say "45 days after timesheet" or "60 days after timesheet". The later the payment, the more savings you need to start.
3. Duration. A 1-year project at 15 SAR can earn you more than a 1-month shutdown at 20 SAR, once you count the days between jobs.
4. Overtime. The Ministry of Human Resources states that overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage, and hours worked on public holidays count as overtime. Ask whether the quoted rate already includes overtime.
5. Certifications. On the same project this week, a helper was offered 11 SAR and a safety officer 28 SAR. A WPR, TUV, rigger or 6G welding certificate is often the fastest way to move up the rate table.
Where the work is this week
Turaif (Northern Borders): the largest single requirement this week was a mining and industrial project in Turaif, with about 250 workers needed across welding, pipe fitting, FRP lamination and mechanical trades, on a 5-month duration.
Ras Tanura and Jubail (Eastern Province): shutdown and maintenance work for pipe fitters, WPRs, riggers, scaffolders and safety officers. Many of these need chamber documents, a valid Muqeem printout and an Ajeer permit.
Riyadh: construction trades such as steel fixers and carpenters, often with FAT provided and long project durations.
Yanbu and Tabuk: safety officers, painters and E&I (electrical and instrument) staff on long-term projects.
How to negotiate a better rate
Show proof, not words: attach your trade test, TUV card or WPR card to your first message.
Name your experience: "7 years pipe fitter, 3 Aramco shutdowns" gets a better answer than "experienced pipe fitter".
Ask about FAT and payment days before discussing rate. Sometimes a company will not move on the rate but will add transport or accommodation.
Be available. Urgent posts reward people who can join tomorrow. If you can mobilise fast, say so in your first line.
Keep your documents valid. An iqama with less than three months left, or an expired card, can cost you the job even when the rate is agreed.
How we collect this data
Saudi Job Seeker reviews job posts shared daily in active Saudi job groups and publishes each genuine requirement as a separate listing with the original wording. We ignore advertisements, course promotions and posts asking for fees. The rates above are what employers wrote in their posts. They are not guaranteed salaries, and they can change quickly with demand. We will update this rate guide regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hourly rate for a pipe fitter in Saudi Arabia in 2026? Posts published on 22 and 23 September 2026 offered pipe fitters 16 to 18 SAR per hour, depending on the project and whether FAT was included.
How much does a 6G welder earn per hour in Saudi Arabia? A large project in Turaif offered 6G welders 24 SAR per hour this week, compared with 17 SAR per hour for 3G/4G welders on the same project.
What is a safety officer's hourly rate in Saudi Arabia? This week's posts offered safety officers 28 SAR per hour. Aramco approved safety roles can pay more.
How do I convert an hourly rate into a monthly salary? Multiply the rate by your monthly hours. At 10 hours a day for 26 days (260 hours), 17 SAR per hour is about 4,420 SAR per month.
Is overtime paid on top of the hourly rate? Under Saudi Labor Law, overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage. Some posts quote a flat rate that already includes overtime, so always confirm in writing.
See today's jobs with rates on the Saudi Job Seeker Jobs page. New requirements are added every day.
