Today, Saudi Arabia is considered a country of opportunities. Everyone can find a job here and be in demand. Whether it is a non-tech professional or a general laborer without a specialty. Expats without formal education in Saudi Arabia can find opportunities, although they are usually limited to certain sectors. It is also worth considering the “Saudization” initiative, under which employers give preference to Saudi nationals over foreign workers.
There are often vacancies for unskilled or low-skilled workers in retail, hospitality, construction, and domestic work. This is confirmed by data from the Layboard platform. These positions provide relatively stable employment.
Top industries for expats without formal education
Active development of all industries and rapid economic growth make Saudi Arabia an interesting country for foreigners. Even for those without professional education. There are many job opportunities in the field of physical labor and services, where experience and skills are more important than education.
Here are the sectors that are most promising for those who want to work and are usually available for migrants without formal education:
1. Domestic workers (housekeeper, nanny)
Domestic work, including work as a housekeeper and nanny, is one of the most common occupations among migrants without formal education. This work usually includes cleaning, cooking and childcare.
2. Construction workers
This sector is booming in Saudi Arabia thanks to projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea project. Construction workers are in demand for professions such as bricklayers, carpenters, and handymen.
3. Drivers (private and corporate)
Private family drivers and corporate drivers (transportation of goods and people) are in high demand in the Kingdom. Formal education is not required, but a valid driver’s license is necessary.
4. Security guards
Which are required in residential, commercial and public places. Experience in similar positions is desirable, but education is usually not required.
5. Retail staff (cashiers, sales assistants)
Many retail stores, supermarkets and shopping centers employ foreigners as cashiers and sales assistants. Basic customer service skills and knowledge of operations are more important than formal education.
6. Cleaners (commercial and residential)
Work in various fields. In particular, they work in office buildings, hospitals, schools, and residential buildings. The work often requires physical labor and attention to detail, but no formal certification is required. Details can be found in the job descriptions on job search sites.
7. Waiters/waitresses and restaurant workers
The hospitality industry, including restaurants, cafes and hotels, employs many foreigners in positions such as waiters, kitchen staff and cleaners. Basic knowledge of English and customer service skills are an advantage.
8. Agricultural workers
The agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia still offers jobs for agricultural workers, although their number is limited by climatic conditions. These jobs include planting plants, harvesting crops, and caring for livestock, often requiring heavy physical labor.
9. Warehouse workers
Logistics and retail trade require picking, packing, and loading goods. These jobs require physical labor but little formal education.
10. Handymen and technicians (plumbers, electricians)
Some technical skills may be required here, with professions such as plumbers, electricians and handymen in demand in both the residential and commercial sectors. Training or work experience in these occupations often replaces the need for formal education.
These jobs allow expats without formal education to find work in Saudi Arabia, often in sectors that prioritize practical experience, skills, and a willingness to work hard. For many expats, these jobs provide entry-level employment, while some can open up better opportunities and build useful connections and experience.
How about making money
The income of expats in Saudi Arabia without formal education varies significantly depending on the type of occupation, experience, contract with the employer, and region. Let’s look at the approximate minimum and maximum earnings for unskilled workers:
Minimum income
In areas requiring low skills, such as domestic staff, construction, and security, the minimum wage is approximately 2,500 Saudi riyals (approximately $665 per month). This amount corresponds to the minimum income level for foreign workers set by the Saudi government, but the minimum wage for local workers is much higher.
Highest Earnings
Experienced unskilled and low-skilled workers can earn more, especially in positions that require more responsibility, such as senior security guard or team leader at a construction site. In such cases, the salary can reach 4000-5000 liras (1070-1330 USD) per month. In some cases, especially in the hotel and restaurant and retail sectors, income can be increased by allowances and bonuses.
Salaries in these sectors often include fringe benefits such as housing and transportation, which are common in Saudi Arabia. It is also worth noting that unskilled workers have limited career opportunities without additional qualifications or on-the-job training.
Career development
Some workers who started out as laborers on construction sites eventually took on more senior positions, such as foreman or forewoman. Without formal education, but with several years of practice, workers acquired the skills necessary to perform more responsible tasks and sometimes mastered personnel management at the site. Such growth is often supported by companies that value the dedication and experience of their employees, and such career advancement is also supported by higher incomes that are twice as high as the initial level.
Another example is success in the service sector, where employees start as waiters or kitchen assistants and gradually rise to the position of shift manager. At the same time, without formal education, employees often learn from their managers and colleagues, participate in internal training, which allows them to improve their service and personnel management skills. Some of them even open their own small restaurants or cafes when they gain enough experience.
Drivers who start working in delivery services can be promoted to senior dispatchers or shift managers in large logistics companies. Thanks to their knowledge of the local infrastructure, management skills gained on the job, and the trust of management, they can become indispensable.
Conclusion
Despite these limitations, some immigrants without higher education still find opportunities to work in the informal service sector or as junior service personnel in large corporations. They are usually employed through recruitment agencies or local connections. Earnings in such positions can vary greatly depending on the experience and support of the employer. However, it is important to note that career advancement without formal qualifications can be difficult, unless an expat takes additional training or certification that can open the door to higher-paying and more stable positions.
