Here's a realistic comparison of industrial automation salaries between Saudi Arabia and India:

Salary Ranges (Approximate Annual)

Saudi Arabia:

• Entry-level PLC Programmer/Technician: SAR 60,000-90,000 ($16,000-24,000)
• Mid-level Automation Engineer: SAR 120,000-180,000 ($32,000-48,000)
• Senior Automation Engineer/Specialist: SAR 180,000-250,000 ($48,000-67,000)
• Automation Manager: SAR 250,000-350,000+ ($67,000-93,000+)

India:

• Entry-level PLC Programmer/Technician: ₹3-5 lakhs ($3,600-6,000)
• Mid-level Automation Engineer: ₹6-12 lakhs ($7,200-14,400)
• Senior Automation Engineer/Specialist: ₹12-20 lakhs ($14,400-24,000)
• Automation Manager: ₹20-35 lakhs+ ($24,000-42,000+)

Key Differences

Saudi Arabia advantages:

• Tax-free income - no income tax, significantly increasing take-home pay
• Housing/transport allowances often provided by employers
• End-of-service benefits (gratuity) - typically one month salary per year worked
• Relocation packages common for expat hires
• Higher absolute salaries, especially at mid-to-senior levels

India considerations:

• Lower cost of living in most cities (except metros like Mumbai/Bangalore)
• Career mobility and job options more abundant
• No visa/sponsorship restrictions
• Family/social proximity
• Income tax reduces take-home (varies by bracket, can be 20-30%+)

Real Purchasing Power

While Saudi salaries appear 2-3x higher, the actual lifestyle difference is roughly 1.5-2x better due to cost of living, particularly housing. However, the tax-free aspect in Saudi Arabia is substantial.

Industry Demand

Both markets have strong demand for automation expertise, especially in oil & gas (Saudi Arabia) and manufacturing/automotive (both countries). Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is driving automation investments.