KSA Big 4 Salary Question

Question

Hello,

My main question is about compensation expectations and negotiation strategies in KSA. I currently work in a Scandinavian office, with 2.5 years of consulting experience (4 years in total). After productive interactions with colleagues in the KSA office, I was invited to apply for a role there and now have my final interview.

I am very interested in joining their specialized team, which appears to have strong project opportunities. However, I’m not sure what to expect regarding salary and overall compensation in KSA—especially since I won’t receive the same welfare and benefits as in Scandinavia, and I foresee additional personal costs.

Could anyone share insights on typical salary ranges, standard benefits, and how to effectively negotiate (including do’s and don’ts)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hey!

Salaries in KSA are typically higher than in Europe due to tax-free income and competitive expatriate packages. With 2.5 years of consulting experience, you can expect a Senior Consultant or Manager role, depending on the firm and your background. Senior Consultants generally earn between SAR 25K-35K per month, while Managers can range from SAR 35K-50K per month, with additional performance bonuses.

Standard benefits often include housing allowance (or company-provided accommodation), transportation allowance, relocation support, annual flights home, private healthcare, and end-of-service gratuity. Some firms also provide education allowances for children if applicable.

For negotiation, emphasize your Scandinavian consulting experience, specialized skills, and potential relocation costs. Firms in KSA are used to negotiations, so aim for the higher end of the range while remaining flexible. It’s crucial to avoid mentioning lifestyle costs (e.g., higher personal expenses vs. Europe) as a justification, and instead focus on market benchmarks and the value you bring. Let me know if you need help structuring your approach! 😊

Alessa

Answer 2

Hi,

The average salary in Saudi Arabia is indeed lower vs. Scandinavia. It ranges from 4k-6k USD per month, depending on the exact role and company. Some companies offer additional benefits like housing or transportation, which improves the compensation package significantly.

Mattijs

Answer 3

Hey there,

Just to add on to what has been shared, it could be helpful to use salary guides from Glassdoor, Payscale, Indeed, (any local Saudi salary sites), Big 4 consultants in Saudi, Big 4 consultants in Scandinavian countries, etc. to get more data points and compare more widely

All the best

Answer 4

Hi there,

To add another site to your research: levels.fyi.

As regards your general considerations, also reflect on the development of the region and your own trajectory going from a low/no-growth area of the world to a high-growth area (in terms monetary and non-monetary considerations).

All the best with the potential move!

Florian

Answer 5

Glassdoor is a great source of information for these kind of questions!