 How much can I earn teaching English in Saudi Arabia? In recent years, the Middle East has become the place to be if you want to make serious money teaching English abroad. Saudi Arabia has one of the biggest markets for foreign teachers in the region, with positions offering high salaries and generous benefit packages available in all the main cities. The majority of positions require qualifications and a considerable amount of classroom experience. But for those who meet the criteria, salaries ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 US dollars per month are common. For some teachers, Saudi Arabia offers the ideal location for teaching English abroad as salaries and benefit packages are as good as you will find anywhere in the world. Demand for qualified and experienced teachers is strong in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, where universities, colleges, international schools and private language academies offer a variety of teaching positions. While Saudi Arabia is one of the most attractive teaching destinations in terms of income, it is important to be aware of the cultural situation before you decide to head there. The country's conservative laws and traditions mean it is not an ideal destination for some teachers. Alcohol is forbidden and interaction between unmarried couples is not permitted, including between foreigners. Female teachers can find it particularly challenging as they are further restricted by issues such as clothing customs and a ban on driving alone. Salary Potential earnings for English language teachers in Saudi Arabia are amongst the highest to be found anywhere in the world. Salaries start at around 2,500 US dollars per month and can rise to 4,000 dollars and beyond depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to a generous salary, most positions will also include an equally generous benefit package that includes paid airfares, paid accommodation and a bonus on completion of the contract. If all that is not enough, it is also worth mentioning that salaries are typically tax-free. Employers As English is rapidly growing in importance in Saudi Arabia, there are a large number of private and public-run language academies throughout the country. Salaries typically range from 12,000 to 15,000 SAR, currently 3,200 to 4,000 US dollars per month. An average week would include 25 to 30 classroom hours with extensive lesson planning on top. Although not essential, a good understanding of Arabic is a real advantage in this area. Privately run international schools are another potential employer for teachers who can meet the relatively stringent criteria. Most positions will require a teaching qualification from your home country as well as a minimum of two years classroom experience. Salaries typically range from 10,000 to 50,000 SAR, 2,600 to 4,000 US dollars, with working hours of 7am to 3pm, Saturday to Wednesday. Contracts are generally for one or two years. As virtually all university students in Saudi Arabia are required to sit an English language exam, there are plenty of great opportunities within the country's extensive network of colleges and universities. Positions generally pay in excess of 15,000 SAR, 4,000 US dollars per month, so competition for each job is usually very strong. Plenty of previous experience will almost certainly be required to secure a position in this area. Cost of living Saudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East and is therefore one of the more expensive to live in. However, as salaries are high and other expenses such as airfares and housing are generally paid for, most teachers are able to live very comfortably and are also able to save a considerable amount of their salary every month.