Salary and Cost of Living in Bahrain: What Expats Should Know.

Author

Denis Popov

The Kingdom of Bahrain is located in West Asia. Bahrain's job market offers competitive salaries for both local and expatriate workers. The salary range is from 450 Bahraini dinar to 4,000 Bahraini dinar, and average salaries tend to depend on various factors.

Average Monthly Salary in Bahrain

The average monthly salary in Bahrain ranges widely, typically between 450 and 4,000 BHD. It can depend on factors such as industry, role, experience, and company size.

This variation remarkably demonstrates the diversity of Bahrain’s job market. In Bahrain, high-demand sectors like finance, engineering, and IT tend to offer higher salaries.

The median monthly salary for specialists in various fields is approximately 1,500 BHD (this salary represents the exact middle of all wages in Bahrain across different sectors and jobs.)

Additionally, non-salary benefits—like transportation, healthcare, and housing allowance—are expected in Bahrain and significantly enhance the overall compensation package, especially for expatriates.

What are minimum wage regulations?

In Bahrain, minimum wage policies and laws ensure that workers can achieve a basic standard of living and have enough costs for that. In 2021, the minimum wage per month for Bahraini employees in the private sector was set at 400 BHD. This helped to reinforce employees and their families.

Minimum wage regulations also apply to foreign employees; however, they vary depending on contracts, sectors, and, at times, agreements with their home countries.

There are no universal minimum wages across jobs; some can have guidelines from the Ministry of Labour. Minimum wages frequently don't include housing and other allowances.

Salary and Cost of Living in Bahrain: What Expats Should Know

Critical Factors Affecting Salaries in Bahrain

The average salary in Bahrain varies depending on several factors. Understanding why it depends and what factors are essential for employees. It would help to understand what companies in Bahrain value.

It's vitally important to know that average salaries are shaped by factors like education, experience, and the company where employees work. Additionally, societal factors such as nationality and gender can play significant roles. By learning these factors, job seekers can better strategize their search process.

Experience and Education Level

As in most countries, experience significantly impacts salary levels. The more knowledge you have, the more competitive you are in the Bahrain job market. For instance, workers with 2-5 years of experience earn approximately 32% more than junior employees. It is especially appreciated if you worked in a similar condition or had the same job title.

Not to mention the importance of the degree. Companies value workers with higher education and additional education, such as courses. An advanced degree and specialized training would improve your resume and demonstrate your expertise.

Industry and Job Role-Specific Demand

Typically, certain roles come with higher average job salaries due to their demand and scarcity of qualified candidates. For instance, in industries such as oil and gas, companies offer higher salaries because their employees must have more specialized skills and qualifications.

Company Size and Sector

As mentioned before, sectors that require more qualified workers in Bahrain offer more benefits and higher salaries. At the same time, multinational corporations have more opportunities for employees working here to provide better average salaries.

Nationality and Gender

In many countries, including Bahrain, there is a gender gap in salary between male and female workers. This is a challenging issue that images deeper issues, such as women working in sectors with lower salaries and discrimination. However, Bahrain is making an effort to solve this problem.

Wages can vary significantly between Bahraini nationals and expatriates, often due to differences in benefits or government-provided allowances.

Average Salary Across Industries and Positions in Bahrain

The Bahraini job market offers diverse salary ranges across sectors, reflecting economic demand and employee qualifications. Financial services, engineering, and IT are among the highest-paying sectors due to Bahrain’s positions.

Accounting and Finance professionals earn approximately 1,530 BHD. The salary ranges from 620 BHD for entry-level positions to around 3,060 BHD for experienced workers. The average monthly salary in engineering is 1,250 BHD, and specialized fields like petroleum and civil engineering can earn up to 2,640 BHD, while less specialized roles may start around 400 BHD.

Healthcare is another competitive sector. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists earn between 460 BHD and 6,600 BHD monthly. The wide salary range within healthcare reflects the diverse roles and levels of expertise within the field and the high need for skilled medical professionals in Bahrain’s healthcare system.

The Bahraini job market provides diverse salary opportunities across industries. However, financial services, engineering, and healthcare consistently show higher earnings. It's vital to recognize that salaries in the country are generally enhanced with benefits like housing, healthcare, and travel allowances, especially for expatriates. It makes Bahrain an attractive destination for expatriates seeking an excellent compensation package.

As need in finance, engineering, and healthcare continues to rise, professionals with specialized skills will likely find rewarding options within Bahrain’s job market.

Salary and Cost of Living in Bahrain: What Expats Should Know

Compensation Cost in Bahrain

Compensation costs in Bahrain include wages and additional expenses employers incur for employing labor. Key components include:

  • Wages and Salaries.

  • Overtime Pay: сompensation for extra hours of work.

  • Bonuses: performance-based or company-profit-linked rewards.

  • Social Security Contributions: employer-paid contributions covering welfare programs.

Compensation costs also include employee benefits such as health insurance, housing, transport, and family benefits, as well as other contributions like mandatory labor taxes.

Conclusion

Bahrain offers competitive salary for employees in the public and private sectors. Numerous factors, including experience, education, industry demand, and employer type, frequently influence the salary.

Companies offer bonuses and allowances. Be sure to check if your employer offers them. Understanding these elements can help you make more informed career decisions.

With ongoing developments in high-paying sectors, Bahrain presents various opportunities for skilled professionals seeking careers in another country. Improving your skills and developing knowledge would help you achieve a higher salary and a better job position. Those with specialized skills can succeed in this dynamic atmosphere as the job market grows.

28.10.24 391
Thank you for an exciting article about an important topic.
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I mulled over moving to Bahrain and only now started to search information.
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I'm afraid I need more experience to have a higher salary in Bahrain.
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It's useful article for me, because I only started my reseach about Bahrain.
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Yes, I agree that the more you know the best you can strategize yourg actions.
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