Qatar Salary Guide 2026: What’s a Good Salary by Industry
“Is my salary good for Qatar?” is the question I get asked more than almost any other by people who’ve just received a job offer or are negotiating a package. The honest answer is that it depends on four things: your industry, your seniority, your nationality, and critically, how your package is structured. Two people earning QR 15,000 per month in Qatar can have dramatically different standards of living depending on whether that includes housing or not.
This guide gives you real salary benchmarks across Qatar’s major industries as of 2026, explains how Qatar compensation packages actually work, covers what different salary levels genuinely afford you in terms of lifestyle, and addresses the uncomfortable but real topic of how pay varies by nationality for the same role. It’s based on a combination of publicly available salary data, recruitment consultancy benchmarks from Robert Half, Michael Page, and Gulf Talent, and direct conversations with professionals across sectors.
Before diving in, one important framing point: Qatar distinguishes between basic salary and total package. When someone says they earn QR 20,000, you need to know whether that’s basic or total, because the difference affects your family visa eligibility, end of service benefit calculations, and your actual standard of living. For family visa salary requirements specifically, see our Qatar family visa guide.
How Qatar Salary Packages Are Structured
Understanding package structure is essential before any salary comparison makes sense.
Basic Salary This is the foundation of your package and the number that matters most legally. Your end of service gratuity under Qatar Labor Law is calculated on basic salary. Your family visa sponsorship eligibility is assessed on basic salary. Your annual leave encashment is based on basic salary. A high basic salary with low allowances is usually better than the reverse from a legal protections standpoint.
Housing Allowance The most significant allowance in most Qatar packages. Typically 25-30% of basic salary, or a fixed amount. Some employers provide company accommodation instead of an allowance. Housing allowance ranges from QR 2,000 per month for junior roles to QR 8,000-15,000+ for senior positions. In reality, decent housing in Doha for a family starts at QR 6,000-8,000 per month, so a low housing allowance on a mid-salary package creates real financial pressure.
Transport Allowance Usually QR 500-1,500 per month, or a company car for senior roles. Some companies provide a fuel card instead.
Other Common Allowances School fees (for families, often the difference between a manageable and unmanageable package), annual flight tickets to home country (typically one per year for employee, sometimes for family), utilities allowance, phone allowance, and in some cases a cost of living adjustment.
What “All-Inclusive” Means Some companies, particularly smaller ones or those outside the oil and gas sector, quote one number that is “all-inclusive.” This means your housing, transport, and other costs come out of that single figure. Be especially careful evaluating these packages. QR 15,000 all-inclusive in Qatar is a different financial reality from QR 15,000 basic with housing and schooling on top.
The Family Visa Salary Threshold: Why It Matters
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior requires a minimum monthly salary to sponsor family members for residence. As of 2026, the threshold is QR 10,000 basic salary (or QR 10,000 total salary depending on how your contract is structured, but basic is the safer basis).
This threshold has enormous practical consequences. An expat earning QR 9,500 basic cannot legally sponsor their spouse and children for family visas regardless of how large their allowances are. I’ve seen colleagues make the mistake of negotiating total package without protecting the basic salary component, then discovering their family cannot join them.
If family is moving with you, always ensure your basic salary meets the threshold. For the complete requirements, see our family visa guide.
General Salary Benchmarks: What Do Different Levels Afford?
Before the industry breakdown, here’s a practical framework for what different monthly total packages mean in Qatar in 2026.
| Monthly Package (Total) | Lifestyle Reality |
|---|---|
| Under QR 3,000 | Very basic. Shared accommodation, minimal discretionary spending. Common for labor and domestic worker categories. |
| QR 3,000-6,000 | Modest. Shared or small apartment, limited social spending, possible to save small amounts. |
| QR 6,000-10,000 | Comfortable for a single person. Own apartment in outer Doha, reasonable social life, some savings. |
| QR 10,000-15,000 | Comfortable for a couple. Decent apartment, car, regular dining out, modest savings. |
| QR 15,000-25,000 | Good for a family. Decent villa or large apartment, school fees manageable, travel, regular savings. |
| QR 25,000-40,000 | Very comfortable. Premium housing, international school fees covered, regular international travel, significant savings potential. |
| QR 40,000+ | Senior executive level. Premium villa, full school fees, frequent travel, wealth accumulation. |
These are rough guides for Doha. If you’re outside Doha in Al Khor, Mesaieed, or Ras Laffan, the same salary goes further because accommodation costs are typically lower (and sometimes provided by the employer in industrial areas).
Oil, Gas, and Energy Sector
Qatar’s oil and gas sector, dominated by QatarEnergy (formerly Qatar Petroleum) and its international partners including Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, is the highest-paying sector in the country for most professional roles.
Key characteristics: Packages typically include generous housing (often company accommodation at the larger facilities in Ras Laffan), comprehensive medical, annual flights, and significant end-of-year bonuses. The comparison to other sectors on basic salary alone understates the true package value.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) | Total Package Range (QR) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Engineer (0-2 years) | 8,000-12,000 | 12,000-18,000 |
| Engineer (3-7 years) | 12,000-20,000 | 18,000-30,000 |
| Senior Engineer (8-15 years) | 20,000-35,000 | 30,000-50,000 |
| Principal / Lead Engineer | 30,000-45,000 | 45,000-65,000 |
| Project Manager | 25,000-45,000 | 38,000-65,000 |
| HSE Manager | 20,000-35,000 | 30,000-50,000 |
| Operations Superintendent | 28,000-45,000 | 42,000-65,000 |
| General Manager / VP | 50,000-100,000+ | 75,000-150,000+ |
QatarEnergy direct employees (Qatari-sponsored staff) receive packages that additionally include housing loans, education assistance, and profit-sharing that can add 20-30% to total annual compensation beyond the monthly figures above.
Contractor versus direct: Many expats work in oil and gas through contractors (Petrofac, Worley, Technip Energies, etc.) rather than as direct hires of QatarEnergy or IOCs. Contractor packages are typically 15-25% lower than direct hire packages for equivalent roles, but this varies significantly.
Construction and Engineering
Qatar’s construction sector has been substantial for over a decade and continues with post-World Cup legacy projects, Lusail development, and ongoing infrastructure work.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Site Engineer (civil/structural) | 6,000-12,000 | Varies significantly by nationality |
| Project Engineer | 10,000-18,000 | |
| Senior Project Engineer | 15,000-25,000 | |
| Project Manager (mid-size) | 20,000-35,000 | |
| Project Director | 35,000-60,000 | |
| Quantity Surveyor (junior) | 6,000-10,000 | |
| Quantity Surveyor (senior) | 12,000-22,000 | |
| Contracts Manager | 18,000-30,000 | |
| MEP Engineer | 8,000-15,000 | |
| Site Foreman | 2,500-5,000 | |
| Skilled Laborer | 800-2,000 |
Construction salaries are more sensitive to nationality than almost any other sector, which I’ll address directly in the nationality section below. An Indian or Filipino engineer with equivalent qualifications and experience to a British or American engineer will commonly be offered 20-40% less for the same role. This is a documented reality of Qatar’s (and the broader GCC’s) labor market, not speculation.
Finance and Banking
Qatar’s financial sector includes the major local banks (QNB, Commercial Bank, QIB, Doha Bank), international banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered), Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) registered firms, insurance companies, and asset management operations.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Graduate / Junior Analyst | 8,000-12,000 |
| Financial Analyst (3-5 years) | 12,000-18,000 |
| Senior Analyst / Associate | 16,000-25,000 |
| Finance Manager | 20,000-35,000 |
| CFO (mid-size company) | 35,000-60,000 |
| Relationship Manager (banking) | 12,000-20,000 |
| Senior RM / Team Leader | 18,000-30,000 |
| Branch Manager | 18,000-28,000 |
| Head of Treasury | 30,000-50,000 |
| Risk Manager | 18,000-30,000 |
| Compliance Officer (junior) | 8,000-14,000 |
| Compliance Manager | 18,000-30,000 |
| Actuary | 20,000-38,000 |
QFC-registered firms (investment banks, asset managers, law firms operating from the Qatar Financial Centre) tend to pay at the higher end of these ranges and sometimes above them, particularly for roles requiring international qualifications like CFA, ACCA, or legal qualifications from UK or US jurisdictions.
Information Technology
Qatar’s IT sector has grown significantly as the government pushes digital transformation, with major employers including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ooredoo, Vodafone Qatar, Meeza, QatarEnergy’s digital arm, and a growing number of technology companies and startups.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Junior Software Developer | 6,000-10,000 |
| Mid-level Software Developer | 10,000-18,000 |
| Senior Software Developer | 16,000-25,000 |
| Lead Developer / Architect | 22,000-35,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | 12,000-22,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | 10,000-18,000 |
| Senior Cybersecurity Engineer | 18,000-30,000 |
| Data Analyst | 8,000-15,000 |
| Data Scientist | 14,000-25,000 |
| IT Project Manager | 15,000-25,000 |
| IT Director / CTO | 30,000-55,000 |
| Cloud Engineer | 12,000-22,000 |
| Network Engineer | 8,000-16,000 |
| Business Analyst (IT) | 10,000-18,000 |
Qatar’s IT salaries are competitive regionally but below what equivalent roles command in Dubai’s tech sector or Western markets. The trade-off is lower cost of living than Dubai, no income tax, and a less saturated job market for specialist roles.
One honest note: salaries for tech roles in Qatar have not increased as rapidly as in Dubai or Saudi Arabia over the past two years, as those markets have attracted more tech investment. If maximizing technology sector compensation is your priority, Dubai and Riyadh currently offer higher ceilings for senior tech roles.
Healthcare
Qatar’s healthcare sector has two compensation tiers: HMC (Hamad Medical Corporation, the public system) and private hospitals. HMC tends to pay more competitively for nursing and allied health, while private hospitals can pay more for some specialist physician roles.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (general) | 5,000-9,000 |
| Senior / Specialist Nurse | 8,000-14,000 |
| Nurse Manager / Head Nurse | 12,000-18,000 |
| General Practitioner | 15,000-25,000 |
| Specialist Doctor | 22,000-40,000 |
| Consultant (senior specialist) | 35,000-65,000 |
| Pharmacist | 8,000-14,000 |
| Senior Pharmacist | 12,000-20,000 |
| Radiographer | 6,000-10,000 |
| Physiotherapist | 6,000-12,000 |
| Lab Technician | 4,000-8,000 |
| Medical Administrator | 6,000-12,000 |
| Allied Health (OT, Speech, etc.) | 7,000-14,000 |
HMC packages for international recruits typically include furnished accommodation or a housing allowance, annual flights, and comprehensive medical. When evaluating an HMC offer, always calculate the full package value because the allowances are genuinely significant.
Private hospital salaries are structured similarly but vary more widely. For nurses specifically, the gap between Western-trained nurses and Asian-trained nurses of equivalent experience is particularly pronounced in Qatar’s private sector, sometimes 30-50% for the same role and seniority level.
Education
Qatar has a substantial education sector including government schools, Qatar Foundation institutions (Education City universities), international private schools, and language training centers.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistant | 4,000-7,000 |
| Primary School Teacher | 8,000-14,000 |
| Secondary School Teacher | 10,000-16,000 |
| Head of Department | 14,000-20,000 |
| Deputy Principal | 18,000-25,000 |
| Principal / Head of School | 25,000-45,000 |
| University Lecturer | 15,000-25,000 |
| Associate Professor | 22,000-35,000 |
| Professor | 30,000-55,000 |
| Educational Administrator | 8,000-15,000 |
| Corporate Trainer | 10,000-20,000 |
International school teacher packages in Qatar are often notably generous because schools compete for qualified teachers from the UK, Australia, Canada, and similar markets. Beyond basic salary, packages typically include free or heavily subsidized schooling for the teacher’s own children, which at international schools costing QR 50,000-80,000 per child per year is a benefit worth QR 100,000-160,000 annually for a family with two children. Evaluated correctly, a teacher package with free schooling can be financially superior to a higher-salary role in another sector.
Qatar Foundation institution salaries (Education City universities including Georgetown, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, and Qatar University) tend to be at the top of the education sector range and are internationally benchmarked.
Legal and Professional Services
Qatar’s legal and professional services sector is centered around the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and a growing number of international law firms, big four accounting firms, and management consultancies with Doha offices.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Junior Lawyer / Associate (1-3 years) | 12,000-20,000 |
| Associate (4-7 years) | 20,000-35,000 |
| Senior Associate | 28,000-45,000 |
| Partner / Senior Partner | 50,000-100,000+ |
| Junior Accountant | 5,000-9,000 |
| Qualified Accountant (ACCA/CPA) | 10,000-18,000 |
| Senior Accountant | 14,000-22,000 |
| Audit Manager (Big Four) | 18,000-30,000 |
| Management Consultant (junior) | 10,000-18,000 |
| Management Consultant (senior) | 20,000-38,000 |
| Consulting Manager / Director | 30,000-55,000 |
International law firms in Qatar (Clyde & Co, Herbert Smith Freehills, Al Tamimi) pay at rates benchmarked to their global compensation structures, which are typically at the higher end of the Qatar market. Big Four firms (PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY) pay competitively and provide good career development for newly qualified accountants, though the pure salary numbers are lower than oil and gas sector equivalents.
Hospitality and Tourism
Qatar’s hospitality sector expanded significantly around the World Cup period and continues to grow with new hotel openings and the development of tourism infrastructure.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Front Desk Agent | 2,500-4,000 |
| Supervisor (front office/F&B) | 3,500-6,000 |
| Restaurant Manager | 6,000-10,000 |
| Executive Chef | 12,000-20,000 |
| Hotel Manager (mid-scale) | 15,000-25,000 |
| General Manager (5-star hotel) | 30,000-55,000 |
| Events Coordinator | 5,000-9,000 |
| Marketing Manager (hospitality) | 10,000-18,000 |
Hospitality salaries in Qatar are supplemented significantly by service charges and tips at higher-end properties. The five-star hotel segment pays better than the above table suggests when tips and service charge distribution are included.
Hospitality packages commonly include staff accommodation, meals on duty, and annual flights, which meaningfully reduce living costs for employees in this sector.
Retail and Consumer Sector
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Retail Sales Associate | 1,500-3,000 |
| Senior Sales Associate | 2,500-4,500 |
| Store Manager (small-mid) | 5,000-9,000 |
| Store Manager (large format) | 8,000-15,000 |
| Area / Regional Manager | 12,000-20,000 |
| Buying Manager | 12,000-20,000 |
| Category Manager | 10,000-18,000 |
| Marketing Manager (retail) | 10,000-18,000 |
| Retail Director | 20,000-35,000 |
Retail is one of Qatar’s lower-paying professional sectors and the gap between frontline retail staff and management is pronounced. Sales commission structures exist in some retail environments but are less prevalent than in European markets.
Government and Semi-Government
Qatari government and semi-government entities (ministries, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Tourism, and similar) employ significant numbers of expat professionals in specialist roles.
| Role | Monthly Basic Salary (QR) |
|---|---|
| Analyst / Specialist (junior) | 10,000-15,000 |
| Specialist (mid-level) | 15,000-25,000 |
| Senior Specialist / Manager | 22,000-38,000 |
| Director | 35,000-60,000 |
| Executive Director / C-suite | 55,000-100,000+ |
Government sector packages are notable for their stability, generous leave entitlements, and comprehensive benefits. The QIA (Qatar Investment Authority) in particular pays at globally benchmarked rates for finance and investment professionals, competing directly with international asset managers for talent.
The Nationality Pay Gap: An Honest Assessment
This is a topic that exists in the GCC labor market and Qatar is not an exception to it. Salaries for equivalent roles vary by nationality in ways that are not explained by qualifications or experience differences alone.
The pattern generally observed across sectors in Qatar:
Western nationals (British, American, Australian, European) and some East Asian nationalities (Japanese, Korean) tend to receive the highest offers for equivalent roles.
Arab nationals (Lebanese, Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian) typically receive offers below Western counterparts but above South Asian benchmarks for the same roles.
South Asian nationals (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali) and Southeast Asian nationals (Filipino, Indonesian) often receive the lowest offers for equivalent professional roles, though the gap has narrowed in some sectors over the past five years due to labor law reforms and increased competition for skilled talent.
This pay gap is documented by Gulf Talent’s annual salary surveys and acknowledged by most multinational companies operating in Qatar, several of whom have internal pay equity programs specifically addressing GCC pay disparities.
For expats negotiating a Qatar offer, knowing this context matters. If you’re from a nationality that typically receives lower offers, being explicit about your expected salary (based on role benchmarks, not nationality expectations) from the start of negotiations is more effective than accepting an initial offer that may be set below market for your role level.
What Can You Actually Negotiate?
Most Qatar employers expect some negotiation. Here’s what tends to be negotiable and what isn’t.
Usually negotiable:
- Basic salary (within the employer’s band)
- Housing allowance (particularly if you have competing offers)
- Annual flight allowance (single vs. family)
- School fees (for families, especially at senior levels)
- Annual leave entitlement (above the statutory 30 days for employees with 5+ years service)
- Contract length and associated gratuity structure
Less negotiable:
- Medical insurance plan (typically company-wide)
- End of service gratuity formula (fixed by Qatar Labor Law)
- Visa category and sponsorship structure
Leverage points: Competing offers are the single strongest negotiating lever in Qatar. If you have an offer from one employer, other employers will typically meet or exceed it for the right candidate. The Doha professional community is small enough that reputation matters and word travels.
Qatar Labor Law entitlements set a floor, not a ceiling. Many expat packages significantly exceed the legal minimums, particularly in oil and gas, finance, and for senior roles across sectors. Knowing your legal rights is the baseline; negotiating above them is the goal. For the full picture of your legal protections, see our Qatar labor law guide.
Tax-Free Salary: What It Actually Means for Your Take-Home
Qatar has no personal income tax. This is a genuine financial advantage and the reason why Qatar salaries look lower than equivalent roles in the UK, US, or Australia but often result in higher net take-home pay.
A rough comparison: A software developer earning QR 20,000 per month in Qatar takes home QR 20,000. The same developer earning the equivalent (approximately £4,200 GBP) in London would take home approximately £3,000 after income tax and national insurance contributions. The Qatar package is QR 20,000 in hand versus the London package’s QR 14,700 equivalent.
For high-earning professionals (doctors, engineers, finance professionals), the tax-free advantage compounds significantly. A consultant doctor earning QR 45,000 per month in Qatar takes home QR 45,000. An NHS consultant earning the equivalent gross in the UK would take home approximately 60-65% of that after tax.
This calculation is one of the main reasons Qatar (and the broader GCC) attracts senior professionals from high-tax countries, particularly in healthcare, energy, and finance.
Cost of Living Benchmark: Is Your Salary Enough?
A salary doesn’t exist in isolation. Here are the major monthly costs to benchmark against for a family of four in Doha in 2026.
| Expense | Monthly Cost (QR) |
|---|---|
| Housing (3-bed apartment, decent area) | 8,000-14,000 |
| Two international school fees (amortized monthly) | 7,000-12,000 |
| Groceries (family of four) | 2,500-4,000 |
| Car (one, amortized loan or lease) | 1,500-2,500 |
| Petrol | 300-600 |
| Utilities (Kahramaa + internet) | 500-900 |
| Dining out (moderate, 2-3x per week) | 1,500-2,500 |
| Entertainment and leisure | 1,000-2,000 |
| Healthcare (co-pays, dental, optical) | 500-1,000 |
| Flights home (amortized) | 1,000-2,000 |
| Total (approximate) | 24,300-41,500 |
This table illustrates why the family visa salary threshold of QR 10,000 is a legal minimum, not a comfortable minimum. A family genuinely needs QR 20,000-35,000 total package (with housing and school fees either covered or meaningfully subsidized by allowances) to live comfortably rather than just get by.
For a single expat without children, monthly costs are dramatically lower: QR 8,000-14,000 per month covers a comfortable lifestyle with an own apartment, car, and reasonable social spending, making a QR 12,000-15,000 total package highly livable.
For a comprehensive cost breakdown, see our Qatar cost of living guide.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: “I’ve been offered a good salary but it’s all-inclusive with no separate housing allowance.” Calculate your actual disposable income after rent. If QR 15,000 all-inclusive is the offer and decent accommodation for your situation costs QR 6,000-8,000, you’re working with QR 7,000-9,000 for everything else. That’s manageable for a single person but tight for a family. Try to negotiate a housing allowance separately from basic salary.
Problem 2: “My basic salary is below QR 10,000 but my total package is higher.” This is the family visa trap. If your basic is QR 8,000 with QR 4,000 housing allowance (total QR 12,000), you technically cannot sponsor your family under current rules. Negotiate to restructure: QR 10,500 basic with QR 1,500 housing allowance achieves the same total while clearing the threshold.
Problem 3: “I’ve been in Qatar three years and haven’t had a pay rise.” Qatar has no statutory annual increment requirement beyond what’s in your contract. Unlike some countries, Qatar employers can maintain salaries indefinitely unless your contract specifies otherwise. Benchmark your salary against this guide and present the data when making a case for a raise. If the employer won’t move, Qatar’s relatively open labor market since the 2021 reforms makes switching employers more viable than it once was.
Problem 4: “I’m being paid significantly less than Western colleagues doing the same job.” Document it if you can (salary conversations with colleagues, job listing benchmarks) and raise it formally or informally with HR. Some companies have pay equity policies you can reference. Others won’t move. If the gap is significant and persistent, it’s a legitimate reason to look elsewhere; the Qatar market has enough depth in most professional sectors to find employers with narrower pay gaps.
Problem 5: “My employer wants to reduce my basic salary and increase allowances.” Resist this. Allowances can be removed or reclassified more easily than basic salary. Your end of service gratuity, overtime calculation base (where applicable), and family visa eligibility all depend on basic salary. A restructure that moves money from basic to allowances benefits the employer at your legal expense.
FAQ
What is a good salary in Qatar for a single expat? For a comfortable single lifestyle with your own apartment, a car, regular dining out, and meaningful savings, aim for QR 12,000-16,000 total package. QR 8,000-12,000 is manageable with some compromises. Below QR 6,000, savings are difficult and lifestyle is constrained.
What is a good salary in Qatar for a family of four? To live comfortably (decent apartment, one international school, one car, reasonable lifestyle) you need QR 25,000-35,000 total package minimum, and more if school fees are not covered by your employer. Below QR 20,000 total for a family with school-age children means significant financial pressure unless your package includes schooling.
Do I pay tax on my salary in Qatar? No. Qatar has no personal income tax. Your monthly salary is your take-home pay with no deductions for income tax. There are no social security contributions required from employees either.
Is QR 10,000 a good salary in Qatar? For a single person, QR 10,000 is livable and allows some savings if housing is provided or low-cost. For a family trying to sponsor dependents, QR 10,000 basic is the legal minimum threshold but not a comfortable family income. It depends significantly on whether housing is included in your package.
How does Qatar salary compare to Dubai? Senior roles in oil and gas, finance, and law often pay more in Qatar than equivalent Dubai roles. Technology and media roles often pay more in Dubai. Qatar has a cost of living advantage in housing (Doha is cheaper than Dubai) but Dubai has a wider range of lifestyle options. Both are tax-free.
What is the minimum wage in Qatar? Qatar introduced a non-discriminatory minimum wage in 2021. The current minimum wage is QR 1,000 basic salary plus QR 500 food allowance and QR 500 accommodation allowance (if not provided by employer), totaling QR 2,000 per month minimum effective package. This applies to all workers regardless of nationality, a significant reform from previous practice.
When should I negotiate my Qatar salary? At the offer stage, before signing. Once you’ve signed and arrived in Qatar, your negotiating position weakens significantly. Research your market rate before interviews, have a clear number in mind, and don’t accept the first offer without at least one counter.
Does Qatar have an annual leave salary supplement? Qatar Labor Law entitles employees to paid annual leave. Leave encashment (being paid for unused leave) is calculated on basic salary. Some contracts specify enhanced leave provisions beyond the statutory minimum.
Salary Summary by Sector
| Sector | Junior Range (QR/month) | Mid-Level Range (QR/month) | Senior Range (QR/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Gas | 12,000-18,000 | 18,000-35,000 | 35,000-65,000+ |
| Finance and Banking | 8,000-12,000 | 12,000-25,000 | 25,000-60,000+ |
| Information Technology | 6,000-10,000 | 10,000-22,000 | 22,000-55,000+ |
| Construction / Engineering | 6,000-12,000 | 12,000-25,000 | 25,000-60,000+ |
| Healthcare | 5,000-9,000 | 9,000-25,000 | 25,000-65,000+ |
| Education | 8,000-14,000 | 14,000-25,000 | 25,000-45,000+ |
| Legal / Professional Services | 10,000-18,000 | 18,000-35,000 | 35,000-100,000+ |
| Hospitality | 2,500-6,000 | 6,000-15,000 | 15,000-55,000+ |
| Retail | 1,500-4,500 | 4,500-12,000 | 12,000-35,000+ |
| Government / Semi-Gov | 10,000-15,000 | 15,000-30,000 | 30,000-100,000+ |
Next Steps
- Benchmark your specific role against the industry tables above before negotiating any offer or raise conversation
- Understand your package structure including basic versus allowances and what each component means for your legal entitlements
- Check your family visa eligibility if bringing dependents to Qatar – read our family visa guide to confirm your basic salary meets the threshold
- Calculate your real cost of living against your package using our Qatar cost of living guide
- Know your labor law rights including gratuity calculations and notice periods in our Qatar labor law guide
Last updated: February 2026.
Salary ranges are benchmarks based on market data and should be used as reference points. Individual salaries vary based on qualifications, experience, employer size, and negotiation. Always conduct your own research for specific roles and companies.
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