Saudi Jobs: Saudization Pay Floor Rises to SR5,000, Then SR6,000
Saudi employees must earn at least SR5,000 a month from April 2027, and SR6,000 from April 2028, to count fully towards Nitaqat Saudization targets.
Saudi ArabiaIn brief
- Saudi Arabia's HR ministry announced on 25 October 2026 a higher salary threshold for counting Saudi staff under Nitaqat.
- From 25 April 2027, a Saudi employee must earn at least SR5,000 a month to count as one full worker in a company's Saudization rate.
- From 25 April 2028, the threshold rises again to SR6,000 a month.
- The ministry says companies are not forced to raise pay, but lower-paid Saudi staff will not count fully towards targets.
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) |
| Official source | Gulf News – Saudi Arabia to raise minimum wage thresholds to SR5,000 in 2027 and SR6,000 in 2028 ✓ gulfnews.com |
Saudi job seekers in the private sector are set to see better starting pay offers. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced on 25 October 2026 that the monthly salary a Saudi employee must earn to count fully under the Nitaqat Saudization programme will rise in two steps, first to SR5,000 and then to SR6,000.
The news was carried by the Saudi Press Agency and reported by Gulf News on 26 October.
The new timetable
| Phase | Date it starts | Monthly salary needed to count as one full Saudi worker |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 25 April 2027 | SR5,000 |
| Phase 2 | 25 April 2028 | SR6,000 |
The first step comes six months after the announcement, which the ministry says gives companies time to adjust their pay structures.
How it works
Under Nitaqat, private companies must employ a set share of Saudi nationals, depending on their size and sector. Each Saudi employee is "counted" towards that share. The salary threshold decides whether a Saudi worker counts as one full employee.
- If a Saudi worker is paid at or above the threshold, they count in full.
- If they are paid below it, they do not count in full towards the company's Saudization rate.
The ministry was clear that firms are not automatically required to raise wages. But in practice, companies that want to keep their Nitaqat band (and the services that come with it) have a strong reason to offer Saudi staff at least SR5,000 from April 2027.
Why this matters for jobs
Saudi Arabia is pushing hard to move nationals into private-sector work. Recent decisions have raised Saudization rates in several fields, including 60% for marketing and sales roles. A higher counting threshold means those reserved jobs are more likely to come with better pay, rather than low salaries offered only to meet a quota.
What it means for job seekers
- Know your number. From April 2027, an offer below SR5,000 a month means the employer may not get full Nitaqat credit for you, which gives you room to negotiate.
- Plan for 2028. Long contracts signed now may need to be reviewed before April 2028, when the bar moves to SR6,000.
- Target growing sectors. Marketing, sales, accounting, healthcare and hospitality are all under Saudization pressure and hiring nationals.
- Use official platforms. Government and many private jobs are listed on national portals such as Jadarat.
Read more: Saudization of marketing and sales jobs at 60% and our guide to Saudi private-sector salaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new Nitaqat salary threshold in Saudi Arabia?
SR5,000 a month from 25 April 2027, rising to SR6,000 a month from 25 April 2028, for a Saudi employee to count fully towards Saudization.
Does this mean every Saudi worker gets a pay rise?
Not automatically. The ministry says employers are not required to raise salaries, but staff paid below the threshold will not count as one full Saudi worker.
Who does the change affect?
Private-sector companies covered by Nitaqat Saudization targets, and Saudi nationals working or job hunting in the private sector.
Does it apply to expat salaries?
No. The threshold is about how Saudi nationals are counted in a company's Saudization percentage.
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