Job Discussion Forums

[melibela]

I just started working in Oct. 2016 in a (very) small town on the west coast.
My salary is 7,000 SR a month, and then they deduct 150 SR a month for transportation to and from the school. There are no other benefits.
This is my first teaching job (first job in general) - I graduated in May 2016 with a non-education/non-English degree. My only qualifications are the several years I spent volunteering in schools while living in the States.
So, I'm not claiming to be the worlds greatest teacher, or that I deserve a huge salary, but I'd like to know if this school is ripping me off. It's brand new (opened Sept. 2016) and so far I'm the only westerner working here so I don't have any one else's salary to gauge it off.
What do you all think? Is it decent?

[currentaffairs]

You should be on around a minimum of 10,000 riyals plus accommodation although contractors are cutting corners now. There are still entry level jobs that offer more than this if you search. The College of Excellence programs would be something to look into.

[nomad soul]

How much do you believe you should be paid? Given that this is your very first paying job of any kind, and you have an unrelated BA and apparently no TEFL qualification, 7000-9000 SR is probably about right, although you give no info about the job itself. (I assume you're at a for-profit private language school or an international school and that you're working around 25+ hours a week.)

You mentioned the school just opened last fall and that you started there shortly after and only a few months out of university. The school sounds like they're skimping on expenses. Unfortunately, startups always have issues with money, organization, staffing, etc.

What do you want to do at this point? If you signed a contract agreeing to 7000 SR, then you're not likely to get a boost in pay. Plus, if you leave to work at another KSA school or via a contracting company, that salary may not be what you expect. In fact, KSA is never a good destination for newbies.

[Foo_Fighters_Dave]

Why don't you give some details about yourself? Are you a native English speaker? What is the company that you work for? This salary is lower than QEHC. Is the accommodation paid for?

Why did you decide on KSA in the first place? Isn't 7000 SAR about 2500 US a month?

I never understand why people take these low paying jobs without any research.

[psychedelicacy]

6,850 riyals per month is humiliating. It's $1,827. That's an entry-level Korea salary. It's about 2 million won.

[nomad soul]

[1chunk]

Despite your lack of qualifications and experience, the salary is definitely very low. If you have western nationality then the starting BASIC salary, taking into account your remote location, should be at around 9/10K minimum.

You haven't told us if your housing/accommodation is provided. If it's not, then I would classify this as daylight robbery.

Schools do pay less but their native (western) teachers are given better incentives, especially if it's a remote location where it's difficult to retain staff.

[cnthaiksarok]

Another vote for: ripped off

[voyagerksa]

You still haven't told us if the school is providing you an apartment. I assume the answer is they are. However it wouldn't surprise if they were not given the conditions that are arising in the locality. When I was in Saudi I was able to obtain a job at 9000 Riyals monthly at an academy but nothing else was paid for. After 3 days I assessed the situation and left. These types probably sense the fact that there are people out there that are easy pickings. All things considered though, if they are paying for your apartment, I would stay on the job for a while maybe a year or so. It is a job after all.

[Sheik Yerbuti]

It says there are no other benefits, so we assume no housing.
This would be a mediocre offer for an Egyptian teacher.
But hey, put a worm on the sharp end, throw it out, and
see if something bites. Further evidence of the
Koreanization of Saudi ESL jobs.

[siologen]

[RustyShackleford]

I make more money in Vietnam even after taking out rent/utilities. I've never known any native English speaker making less than five figures in KSA.

You're being ripped off.

[Foo_Fighters_Dave]

It is absolutely mind boggling that people would accept 7000 SAR a month and then ask if they are being ripped off.

You can make more in South Korea or China.

[Foo_Fighters_Dave]

[siologen]