Pay by Role
Saudi Arabia · Salary comparison

Software Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary

In Saudi Arabia, a software engineer earns about 67% more than a systems administrator — $99,733 vs $59,733 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%
Technology
Systems Administrator
$59,733/yr
Monthly
$4,987
Hourly
$29
Range
$41,467–$82,080
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileSoftware EngineerSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$63,840$41,467
25th$81,787$50,587
Median$99,733$59,733
75th$121,680$70,907
Senior (90th)$143,627$82,080

National Saudi Arabia figures in SAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a software engineer or systems administrator earn more in Saudi Arabia?
A software engineer earns more, at about ‏374,000 ر.س.‏ per year vs ‏224,000 ر.س.‏ for a systems administrator — roughly 67% (‏150,000 ر.س.‏) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Saudi Arabia?
A software engineer typically earns ‏239,400 ر.س.‏–‏538,600 ر.س.‏, while a systems administrator earns ‏155,500 ر.س.‏–‏307,800 ر.س.‏ per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Saudi Arabia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a software engineer averages about ‏31,200 ر.س.‏ and a systems administrator about ‏18,700 ر.س.‏.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Saudi Arabia, a software engineer earns about ‏239,400 ر.س.‏ while a systems administrator earns about ‏155,500 ر.س.‏ per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Saudi Arabia, a software engineer earns about ‏538,600 ر.س.‏ while a systems administrator earns about ‏307,800 ر.س.‏ per year.
Are software engineer and systems administrator 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.