Payroll and pay · Saudi Arabia
Basic wage
Also known as: basic salary · الأجر الأساسي · base pay
The short answer
The basic wage is the fixed amount paid to a worker for their work under the contract, before allowances such as housing and transport. GOSI contributions are calculated on it together with housing, the 50% overtime premium is calculated on it, and it appears as its own line in the contract and on the payslip.
What it means for HR
- State it explicitly in the contract and in Qiwa, separate from allowances.
- Any increase touches GOSI, end of service and overtime at once, so update it everywhere.
- For Saudisation, the wage threshold for counting a Saudi uses the wage registered with GOSI.
Work out net pay from basic and allowances with the net salary calculator.
Official sources
This is general information to help you understand the topic. It is not legal advice. Rules and rates change: always check the official text on the relevant authority’s platform and consult a qualified adviser before acting.
