Since most Western countries are facing high unemployment and low pay rises, employers in the Gulf are finding it easier to hire Western nationals. However, due to the widespread media coverage of the Arab Spring, some employers could have difficulty in attracting Western candidates because they perceive the region to be unsafe.
A Western CEO in Saudi Arabia stands to make the most money at $37,120 per month, while personal assistants in Bahrain, at around $4248 per month, make the lowest salaries.
Below is the breakdown of what Western expatriate employees make in each GCC country:
Bahrain
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $28,110. A treasury manager in a bank can make on average $14,949 per month, while a PA makes $4248.
Saudi Arabia
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $37,120. A project manager in construction can make on average $17,351 per month, while a PA makes $5536.
Kuwait
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $31,180. A project manager in construction can make on average $15,480 per month, while a PA makes $5517.
UAE
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $33,217. A project manager in construction can make on average $15,622 per month, while a PA makes $5638.
Oman
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $29,272. A treasury manager can make on average $13,968 per month, while a PA makes $4927.
Qatar
The average monthly salary for a Western CEO is $33,463. A treasury manager can make on average $15,599 per month, while a PA makes $5214.
For the 2012 Gulf Business Salary Survey, we calculated the average salary for Western, Asian and Arab expats across different sectors in the six GCC countries, according to data from BAC Middle East, Bayt.com, Charterhouse Partnership, Morgan McKinley and Nadia.