Saudi Arabia has launched a significant push to employ more of its citizens in specialized professions, unveiling two major decisions that set ambitious new targets and introduce a minimum wage for key roles. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the measures, which are designed to create better job opportunities for Saudis in vital economic sectors and reduce the kingdom's reliance on foreign workers.
New Saudization Rules for Engineering Professions
In a major move for the technical sector, the first decision mandates a 30 percent Saudization target for engineering professions. This regulation will apply to companies that employ five or more workers in a list of 46 specialized roles. The targeted positions include architects, power generation engineers, industrial engineers, and other roles accredited by the Saudi Council of Engineers.
Critically, the decision also establishes a new minimum monthly wage of 8,000 Saudi Riyals (SAR) for Saudi engineers working in both the private and non-profit sectors. To be eligible for this minimum wage, professionals must hold valid accreditation from the Saudi Council of Engineers.
The official effective date for this decision is December 31, 2025. However, businesses have been granted a six-month preparation period before full enforcement begins. This grace period allows companies time to adjust their hiring strategies, ensure their engineering staff have the proper certifications, and align their workforce with the new Saudization requirements.
Ambitious Target Set for Procurement Jobs
The second major decision focuses on the procurement sector, setting an even higher localization goal. The ministry has decreed a 70 percent Saudization target for procurement roles within the private sector.
This rule will affect establishments with three or more employees working in 12 key procurement positions. The list includes job titles such as procurement manager, contracts manager, and warehouse keeper. This regulation is scheduled to come into force slightly earlier, on November 30, 2025. Similar to the engineering sector, companies will benefit from a six-month grace period to adapt to the new mandate.
Implementation and Strategic Goals
To assist businesses in navigating these changes, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has published a detailed procedural guide on its official website. The guide provides companies with a complete list of the targeted professions, clear methods for calculating their Saudization percentages, and step-by-step instructions for achieving compliance.
The ministry has emphasized that companies must follow these guidelines carefully, as failure to meet the new targets could result in penalties. These measures underscore the Saudi government's strong commitment to building a skilled, locally-driven workforce.
Officials describe these steps as a strategic effort to boost employment for Saudi nationals, improve overall workplace standards, and strengthen national participation in sectors critical to the kingdom's economic future. By setting higher Saudization targets and introducing a minimum wage for engineers, the policy aims not just to increase numbers but also to foster a more skilled and certified professional environment.
