Top 10 Highest Paying Countries for Nurses in Asia in 2026
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The top 10 highest paying countries for nurses in Asia in 2026 include Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Hong Kong, with monthly salaries from USD 2,500 to 5,800. Many roles offer tax-free pay, housing and long-term residence options.
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Looking to advance your nursing career while staying in Asia? The top 10 highest paying countries for nurses in Asia in 2026 are offering monthly salaries from USD 2,500 up to USD 5,800 with top roles countries like Singapore, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. ICU and experienced nurses are already earning USD 6,000 to 7,200 in some markets. Several Gulf countries even pay 100% tax-free and include free housing, flights, and medical cover. Also, East Asian hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong offer strong nursing career growth and long-term residence options. Let’s check where the real nursing opportunities are and what benefits you get in 2026 with the highest salary.
Overview of Highest Paying Countries for Nurses in Asia in 2026
Here are the top 10 highest paying countries for nurses in Asia in 2026 along with the monthly and annual salaries for nurses:
|
Country |
Monthly Nurse Salary (USD) |
Annual Nurse Salary (USD) |
Entry Level Nurse (USD) |
Experienced Nurse 5+ Years (USD) |
|
Singapore |
3,800 to 5,200 |
45,600 to 62,400 |
3,200 |
6,500 |
|
UAE (Dubai) |
3,500 to 5,800 |
42,000 to 69,600 |
2,800 |
7,200 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
3,200 to 5,000 |
38,400 to 60,000 |
2,600 |
6,000 |
|
Hong Kong |
3,200 to 4,200 |
38,400 to 50,400 |
2,700 |
5,000 |
|
Qatar |
3,000 to 4,800 |
36,000 to 57,600 |
2,500 |
5,800 |
|
Japan |
2,800 to 4,000 |
33,600 to 48,000 |
2,200 |
4,800 |
|
Kuwait |
2,800 to 4,500 |
33,600 to 54,000 |
2,300 |
5,200 |
|
Bahrain |
2,400 to 3,800 |
28,800 to 45,600 |
1,900 |
4,500 |
|
Thailand |
1,600 to 2,500 |
19,200 to 30,000 |
1,300 |
3,000 |
|
Malaysia |
1,800 to 2,800 |
21,600 to 33,600 |
1,500 |
3,500 |
Now that you have an idea of the highest paying countries for nurses in Asia in 2026, let's break down what each of these countries what actually offers to the nurses.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the highest-paying countries for nurses in Asia. Singapore has 40+ hospitals with a demand for 3,000 to 4,000 nurses annually.
Some of the Major Employers: Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Nursing shortage projected through 2030.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 3,800 to USD 5,200 (ICU nurses USD 6,500)
Benefits for Nurses: CPF retirement contributions, 14 to 21 days leave, medical benefits, and SGD 500 skills funding yearly.
PR for Nurses: Try to apply for PR after 2 to 3 years. Healthcare professionals are prioritized in the points system.
UAE (Dubai)
UAE has 200+ hospitals and 2,500 healthcare centers which opens lot of nurse job opportunities.
Major Employers for Nurses in UAE: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Mediclinic, NMC Healthcare, DHA hospitals. Requires 8,000 to 10,000 nurses yearly.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 3,500 to USD 5,800 (tax-free)
Benefits: You will get free accommodation or a USD 400 to 800 allowance, annual flights, 30 days leave, end-of-service gratuity, and family medical insurance.
PR for Nurses: Experienced nurses with 5+ years of experience can apply for the UAE Golden Visa, which offers 5 to 10 years of renewable residence. While the UAE does not offer traditional PR, the Golden Visa provides long-term stability and family sponsorship benefits and a great chance to explore the Dubai lifestyle.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has over 500 hospitals, and under Vision 2030, it is creating around 15,000 to 20,000 new nursing positions every year.
Top Employers for Nurses in Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Health, Saudi German Hospitals, King Faisal Hospital. USD 64 billion healthcare investment, 100+ new hospitals. International nurses are 65% of the workforce.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 3,200 to USD 5,000 (tax-free)
Benefits for Nurses in Saudi Arabia: Free accommodation, annual family flights, 30 to 36 days leave, family medical coverage, gratuity, USD 3,000 education allowance.
PR for Nurses: Saudi Arabia offers a Premium Residency program for experienced nurses, usually valid for 3 to 5 years. This will allow you to live and work long-term in the country with more flexibility compared to standard work visas.
Qatar
Qatar has more than 40 hospitals and is building 8 new healthcare facilities under the National Health Strategy 2024 to 2030, creating strong demand for nurses.
Qatar Top Employers for Nurses: Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine. USD 20 billion healthcare investment, 8% yearly nursing growth.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 3,000 to USD 4,800 (tax-free)
Benefits: Free housing, annual family airfare, 30 days leave, medical insurance, gratuity, utility allowances.
PR for Nurses: Nurses in Qatar can apply for Permanent Residency after completing 5 years of continuous residence. Healthcare professionals are among the priority occupations considered for long-term residence status.
Kuwait
Kuwait is also a part of one of the highest paying countries for nurses in Asia. Kuwait employs over 25,000 international nurses across government and private hospitals, with the Ministry of Health being the largest employer.
Monthly Nurse Salary in Kuwait: USD 2,800 to USD 4,500 (tax-free)
Benefits for Nurses in Kuwait: Free accommodation, annual tickets, 30 days leave, medical insurance, gratuity, and education allowance.
PR for Nurses: Long-term renewable visas with straightforward renewal.
Oman
Oman has more than 60 public and 70 private healthcare facilities, which creates steady demand for nurses on 2 to 3-year contracts.
Some of the Top Employers for Nurses: Ministry of Health, Badr Al Samaa, Muscat Private Hospital. Needs 2,000 to 3,000 nurses yearly. 2 to 3-year contracts.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 2,500 to USD 4,000 (tax-free)
Benefits for Nurses in Oman: Nurses get free housing, annual flights, 30 days leave, health insurance, gratuity and lower living costs.
PR for Nurses: Renewable work visas, with developing long-term residence pathways.
Bahrain
Bahrain has more than 30 hospitals, including major centres like Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital, and Bahrain’s top employers continue to hire nurses every year.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 2,400 to USD 3,800 (tax-free)
Benefits for Nurses in Bahrain: You will get housing allowance or free accommodation, annual tickets, medical insurance, 30 days leave and the lowest Gulf living costs.
PR for Nurses: Renewable work permits with longer residence pathways available.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has 43 public hospitals under the Hospital Authority and 12 private hospitals employing international nurses. Hong Kong, being one of the highest countries for nurse needs 4,000 to 5,000 nurses annually to address shortages in elderly care and public hospitals.
Major Employers for Nurses: Queen Mary Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, and private groups like Matilda International Hospital. Healthcare spending reaches USD 20 billion yearly.
Monthly Nurse Salary in Hong Kong: USD 3,200 to USD 4,200 (specialised nurses USD 5,000)
Benefits: Nurses get housing allowance, annual leave of 14 to 22 days, medical benefits, pension scheme contributions and continuing education support.
PR for Nurses: Permanent residence available after 7 years of continuous residence. Hong Kong values healthcare professionals in the immigration system.
Also Read: Nursing Courses in Canada for Indian Students in 2026
Malaysia
Malaysia has 400+ hospitals, including 150 private hospitals actively hiring international nurses. The country needs 8,000 to 10,000 nurses yearly to support the medical tourism sector, worth USD 500 million.
Major Employers: Gleneagles Hospital, Prince Court Medical Centre, Pantai Hospital, and KPJ Healthcare. The government invests USD 8 billion in healthcare annually.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 1,800 to USD 2,800 (specialized nurses USD 3,500)
Benefits: Medical benefits, annual leave of 14 to 21 days, EPF pension contributions, some housing allowances, and lower cost of living. English is widely spoken.
PR for Nurses: Malaysia My Second Home program and employment-based PR options available. Renewable work permits for healthcare professionals.
Japan
Japan operates more than 8,300 hospitals and faces a severe nursing shortage, which is why it needs around 60,000 to 70,000 new nurses every year. The government actively recruits international nurses under the EPA program and JICWELS pathways.
Major Employers for Nurses in Japan: University hospitals, Red Cross hospitals, and large medical corporations. Japan invests USD 500 billion annually in healthcare.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 2,800 to USD 4,000 (experienced nurses USD 4,800)
Benefits: Social insurance, pension, paid leave of 10 to 20 days, housing support, language training provided, and stable employment contracts. Cultural immersion opportunities.
PR for Nurses: Permanent residence is possible after 5 to 10 years on skilled work visas.
Thailand
Thailand operates 1,200+ hospitals, with Bangkok and tourist areas actively recruiting international nurses for the medical tourism sector worth USD 4 billion. Major employers include Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, and BNH Hospital. Thailand needs 15,000 to 20,000 nurses yearly.
Monthly Nurse Salary: USD 1,600 to USD 2,500 (international hospital nurses USD 3,000)
Benefits: Social security, annual leave of 10 to 15 days, medical benefits, some housing support, and low cost of living. Tourist destinations offer a unique lifestyle.
PR for Nurses: You get the option of Permanent residence after 3 years of continuous work with approved employers. Thailand offers long-term visas for skilled professionals.
Start Your Journey to High-Paying Nursing Jobs in Asia
When choosing among the highest paying countries for nurses in Asia, focus on your career goals and savings plans. For maximum savings with tax-free income, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait let you save up to 60% to 75% of your salary. If long-term career growth and residence options matter, Singapore and Hong Kong offer strong, regulated pathways. Many nurses work 3 to 5 years in these countries, build strong profiles, and save a solid amount before moving ahead in their careers.
These highest paying countries for nurses in Asia can help you earn 10 to 20 times more. GetGIS supports you with licensing exam preparation, country shortlisting, job matching, and end-to-end visa processing so you avoid costly mistakes and delays.
Also Read:
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Frequently Asked Questions
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