Data Scientist vs Software Engineer salary
In Saudi Arabia, a software engineer earns about 17% more than a data scientist — $99,733 vs $85,333 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is SAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Software Engineer$99,733/yr
- Monthly
- $8,320
- Hourly
- $48
- Range
- $63,840–$143,627
- 10-yr outlook
- +17%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Scientist | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $53,067 | $63,840 |
| 25th | $69,200 | $81,787 |
| Median | $85,333 | $99,733 |
| 75th | $105,040 | $121,680 |
| Senior (90th) | $124,747 | $143,627 |
National Saudi Arabia figures in SAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data scientist or software engineer earn more in Saudi Arabia?
- A software engineer earns more, at about 374,000 ر.س. per year vs 320,000 ر.س. for a data scientist — roughly 17% (54,000 ر.س.) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Saudi Arabia?
- A data scientist typically earns 199,000 ر.س.–467,800 ر.س., while a software engineer earns 239,400 ر.س.–538,600 ر.س. per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Saudi Arabia?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data scientist averages about 26,700 ر.س. and a software engineer about 31,200 ر.س..
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Saudi Arabia, a data scientist earns about 199,000 ر.س. while a software engineer earns about 239,400 ر.س. per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Saudi Arabia, a data scientist earns about 467,800 ر.س. while a software engineer earns about 538,600 ر.س. per year.
- Are data scientist and software engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.