Jobs in Egypt

Cairo is essentially the epicenter of everything, and where almost all foreigners work in Egypt. Ancient and congested, modern and sprawling, the metropolitan area is home to a population of more than 16 million, and just about all institutions and industries house their headquarters in Cairo, meaning potential for job opportunities is high. Not to mention, Cairo’s nightlife is just as famous as its film industry. More than half of Egypt’s universities and academies are located in Cairo too, as are its automakers, publishing companies, most government offices, and its most famous cultural landmarks and museums. Cairo is also congested and polluted, but it has a good public transportation system. An added bonus of working in Cairo? The sun shines almost all the time.

Alexandria sits on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and is Egypt’s import/export center. Its history is a “who’s who” of famous names, including Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Napoleon. Tourism and archeological excavation jobs are centered in Alexandria, the heart of Egyptian history.

Sharm El Sheikh & Dahab are resort towns on the Red Sea and both have enclaves of high end resorts (almost all of the major chains). Both cities additionally have hostels and lower end hotels that historically cater to divers. Nearby Ras Mohammed National Park is famous for its coral reefs and the area is beginning to be a hub for a small (but growing) ecotourism industry.

Luxor has a population of about a half-million, and some of the hottest, driest weather in Egypt. Luxor is another huge tourist magnet, as a home to the temple ruins of Karnak and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Tourism-related jobs in Luxor are expanding as officials are working to revitalize the area’s attractions by excavating an ancient highway and converting the area to a sprawling open air museum. There are also some opportunities to work in Luxor as an English teacher or translator.