Job Discussion Forums

robhenniker · Joined: 14 Jan 2014 Posts: 6

Hey there, sorry to ask the same old question for the thousandth time, but I could really use some information on current military salaries. I just interviewed with one of the big 4 (can I call them the big 4? BoozAllen, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, B3H), and the lady was really nice, but the pay seems low. Can anyone help me out, is there a really big difference in pay between them? I see people talking about $80K per year, but I don't know if that's actually pay, or some inflated 'compensation' number. In my interview they were offering 42k base pay, about 54k with bonuses, plus an apartment in Oasis, Al Khobar. Is that as low as it sounds, or is that pretty much par for the course? (Me: Masters, state cert., 13 yrs experience, American, no ME experience)

Are the Mishal apts. in Oasis a nice place to live? (I know about 2004).

I'd like to pull the trigger on this job, but don't want to get low-balled or walk into a mess. Any advice, opinions, random thoughts or personal abuse would be greatly appreciated, and anyone working at one of these places who is willing to PM me would be gold. Thanks muchly.

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

This base salary is very very low. I've never heard of a military contractor offering so little. The average is probably somewhere around 70k and this often comes with a private car and decent housing.

The Fifth Column · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a dream job! Rolling Eyes

fledex · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 342

Some of them will low ball you first, I'm not sure why. If you tell them you're not interested at that price, they will come back a day or two later with an offer of an interview and say they have better paying jobs, but can't tell you a salary until you pass all the interviews and are made a job offer. After the interviews they'll make a significantly higher offer with other things tacked on that bring the salary and benefits to something good. I think they may do the first interview as a form of HR screening to see if you're up to snuff for the real jobs.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

That's not the Oasis compound by the way but Oasis Apartments which is down the road from the compound. Although it's a high rise block (something like 5 or 7 storeys) on a pretty tight plot, it does squeeze in some tennis courts and a pool. Not been there myself yet but I have a couple of friends living there working for one of the Big Four.

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

THAT SALARY...IS THE NEW STANDARD.

Booz....and B3H are now offering 46K to 48K base.

Raytheon (actually SALTS) will soon follow suit. They are already bringing in teachers from local gigs instead of recruiting from USA.

Once the word gets out that Americans and other westerners are willing to come and do it for about half of what they were offering before...this will become the new standard.

The golden days of 6 figure salaries are over for the TEFLer's in KSA.

The only ones still making "bank" are the old timers. Once they get rid of them...everyone will be making the same chicken feed.

Just remember.....you are there for the cultural experience....not for the money Rolling Eyes

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

Good on ya.

fledex · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 342

Some of the military contractors are cutting. it remains to be seen whether they will actually hire teachers who would accept the $40,000 range. I don't think they have lowered their standards that low yet. I wouldn't be surprised if people who say they would accept that salary in the initial interview don't get a call back. As far as I know, these military contractors still tack on enough non-basic pay and other benefits to hire higher quality teachers than universities and sleazy contractors.

For sure, many of the old timers and highly experienced teachers are leaving to retire or go to places like Afghanistan that pay more. Yet, the salaries are still higher than universities and other contractors. We'll see if these American companies lower their standards that far. Raytheon seems to be doing fine, though. Their company has some new sales in Saudi. I don't see why they would be cutting now.

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

Why pay 80 when can get the same thing for 46. Quality of instructions wont make a difference since these students will not learn anyway. So you pay half price for teachers and save or steal the money. Your student arent going to learn English. 46K and 48K .....thats not conjecture....that is what are NOW offering.

Would you pay extra if you didnt have to?

IT IS THE NEW REALITY.

40-50K range

no family benefits

only one ticket home a year

teachers are a dime a dozen.....saudis have finally figured it out.
next they will realize that an MA in TEFL doesnt make their students learn more English either.

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

GENO123 · Joined: 27 Mar 2014 Posts: 3

What is it like to teach the Saudi Military? I once got an offer from B3H but I decided to go with a University Job in Korea. I would really appreciate any info on what it is like to teach Military in Saudi.

Thank you all in advance.

The Fifth Column · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:30 pm Post subject:

Dear The Fifth Column,

And the downsides?

Regards,
John Very Happy

buravirgil · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:38 pm Post subject: