Western expats in the Middle East have seen their monthly salaries drop by an average 6.8% in the past 12 months, according to a new survey.
The average salary is US$11,835 across 20 different posts from finance, business, property and media in the six Gulf State nations.
A year ago, the average was US$12,216.
Highest average salaries are in Saudi Arabia, paying an average US$13,274, while the lowest are in Oman, paying an average $9,967.
Chief executives for multinational companies earn the most – ranging from US$25,980 in Oman to US$33,229 in Saudi Arabia.
Executive secretaries/PAs earn the least, averaging US$4,832 in Oman to US$6,056 in Qatar.
Nation-by-nation salaries
Country-by-country average monthly salaries across all posts are:
- Saudi Arabia – US$13,274
- Qatar – US$12,331
- United Arab Emirates – US$11,234
- Kuwait – US$11,080
- Bahrain – USA$10,420
- Oman – US$9,967
The figures were compiled by taking average salaries for posts from four recruitment agencies covering all the Gulf State countries.
“Salaries have gone down over the past two or three years as expats leave their posts and companies take on new staff with the same experience and qualifications at lower salaries,” said Ian Giulianotti, associate director HRM Consulting, Nadia, one of the firms taking part in the research.
