From January to September 2026, the 60 percent of all overseas job registrations from Pakistan, according to Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) data. So which are the most in-demand jobs in Saudi Arabia, and which pay more? This guide uses official BEOE numbers, to show where Saudi jobs really are for Pakistani workers. It also covers jobs for women, how to check “company job” offers, and how to apply through official channels.
Where are Pakistani workers going in Saudi Arabia: the BEOE numbers
From January to September 2026, 258,178 Pakistanis registered for employment in Saudi Arabia out of 427,435 overseas registrations in total. The UAE was second with 52,032, followed by Qatar with 35,917. Registrations in 2026 are running below the 2025 pace, but Saudi Arabia is still the top destination for Pakistani workers.
Below, the table shows the main job categories of Pakistanis registered for abroad in January to May 2026. These are all-destination figures, but Saudi Arabia accounts for more than 60 percent of them, so they are a close guide to Saudi demand.
| Job category | Registrations |
|---|---|
| Labourers | 171,206 |
| Drivers | 52,652 |
| Cooks | 9,824 |
| Technicians | 3,794 |
| Fitters | 2,404 |
| Engineers | 2,341 |
| Accountants | 1,874 |
| Operators | 1,849 |
| Electricians | 1,426 |
| Carpenters | 1,404 |
| Doctors | 1,284 |
| Welders | 1,189 |
| Teachers | 833 |
| Agriculturists | 643 |
| Computer analysts | 630 |
| Plumbers | 595 |
| Nurses | 487 |
Labourers and drivers make up about four out of five registrations. Cooks are the third largest group, followed by skilled trades such as technicians, fitters, electricians and carpenters. Professionals (engineers, accountants, doctors, teachers, nurses) are a smaller group, but they are generally paid more.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme and giga-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project and Qadiya require large numbers of workers in construction, transportation, services and operations, and many of these jobs are filled by immigrants.
Most in-Demand jobs in Saudi Arabia in 2026
Here are the main job areas for Pakistanis, in the order the BEOE data suggests, with what each one usually needs.
01 Driver Jobs
Who it suits: experienced light vehicle, heavy truck and bus drivers & house drivers (home drivers) for families.
What usually needs: a valid Pakistani driving licence for the right vehicle, proven driving experience, and a driving test after arrival to get a Saudi licence.
02 Labour & Construction jobs
Who it suits:general labourers, packing helpers, cleaners, and tradesmen such as masons, carpenters, steel fixers, plumbers, painters and welders
What usually needs: general labor and packing jobs often don’t require any formal qualifications. Skilled trades require experience, and many require a passing skill test.
03 Electrical, AC and HVAC technician jobs
Who it suits: electricians, AC and HVAC technicians, MEP technicians, CCTV technicians and forklift operators.
What usually needs: a diploma or trade certificate, hands-on experience, and a Takamol SVP test for the listed trade. Electrical jobs are among the most common technical roles.
04 Safety officer & HSE jobs
Who it suits: safety officers, HSE supervisors and fire watchers on construction, oil and gas, and industrial sites.
What usually needs: A recognised safety qualification such as NEBOSH or OSHA, site experience, and verified educational documents for senior roles.
05 Engineering Jobs
Who it suits: civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, plus site and maintenance engineers.
What usually needs: an HEC certified engineering degree, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Embassy, and after employment professional accreditation with the Saudi Council of Engineers.
06 Saudi Nursing & Healtcare Jobs
Who it suits: nurses, nursing assistants, medical lab technicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and doctors.
What usually needs: a recognized degree or diploma, current registration in Pakistan, and classification with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).
07 Technical Jobs
Who it suits: Teachers, English teachers, and university lecturers with postgraduate degrees.
What usually needs: a certified degree, teaching experience, and often teaching qualifications such as a B.Ed for teaching English or a TEFL certificate. University jobs usually ask for a master’s or Ph.D.
08 IT & Accountant Jobs
Who it suits: IT support staff, network and software professionals, data analysts, computer operators, document controllers, and accountants.
What usually needs: an attested degree or professional qualification, relevant experience, and good written English.
09 Hotel & Resturant Jobs
Who it suits:chefs, cooks, waiters, housekeeping staff and front office staff. Cooks were the third-largest job category in BEOE registrations for January to May 2026.
What usually needs: experience in hotels or restaurants, basic English, and for chefs a food production record or a practical cooking test.
10 Agriculture Jobs
Who it suits: farm workers, livestock and dairy workers, and food production staff.
What usually needs: practical farm or dairy experience. Formal education is rarely required.
Highest paying jobs in Saudi Arabia
The highest-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia for Pakistanis are generally professional and specialist roles: engineers, doctors, specialist nurses, and senior IT and finance staff. These roles pay more than general labor because they require degrees, licensing, and experience that few applicants possess.
Jobs in Saudi Arabia for females
There is real demand for women in several areas. The main ones are:
Healthcare: nursing especially, lab, pharmacy and physiotherapy roles.
Hospitality and office roles: some hotel, administration and support jobs.
Technical & Education: schools, colleges and universities.
Where to find geninue Saudi jobs from Pakistan
More Pakistanis are now looking for government routes, and that’s the right instinct. If you want to apply online for Saudi Arabia jobs for Pakistani workers, start here:
01
BEOE foreign jobs listings:
the BEOE publishes approved overseas demands with the job title and salary.
02
OEC:
The Overseas Employment Corporation is the government’s own recruitment company and advertises overseas jobs directly.
03
Licensed OEPs:
Check any agency’s licence on the BEOE list before you pay anything. Iqbal Manpower recruits for jobs in Saudi Arabia for Pakistani workers under BEOE Licence 0658/RWP.
04
Jobs Portals:
Sites such as Rozee, Bayt and LinkedIn are useful for finding openings, but the visa, medical and Protector process still goes through official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which jobs are most in demand in Saudi Arabia for Pakistanis?
BEOE data for January to May 2026 shows the highest demand for labourers and drivers, followed by cooks, technicians, fitters and other trades. Professionals such as engineers, accountants, doctors and teachers are a smaller group. Saudi Arabia took about 60 percent of Pakistan’s overseas job registrations from January to September 2026.
What are the highest paying jobs in Saudi Arabia?
Professional and specialist roles usually pay the most: engineers, doctors, specialist nurses, and senior IT and finance staff. Pay depends on the employer, experience and contract, so check the salary in the BEOE job listing and your Foreign Service Agreement rather than online salary tables.
Which jobs are available in Saudi Arabia for Pakistani females?
The main areas are healthcare, teaching and education, and some hospitality and office roles. Apply only through a licensed agency or official channel.
How can I apply for Saudi jobs from Pakistan online?
Check the BEOE foreign jobs listings and the OEC website for approved demands, or apply through a BEOE-licensed agency.