Saudi Firms Step Up Hiring as PMI Hits 55.3, Best Since February
Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector added staff faster in September 2026 as the Riyad Bank PMI rose to 55.3. Sales and technical staff were in demand.
Saudi ArabiaIn brief
- The Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia PMI rose to 55.3 in September 2026 from 53.8 in August, the strongest reading since February.
- Employment growth sped up, with firms adding sales teams and technical staff.
- New orders grew at their fastest pace since February, driven by domestic demand.
- Business confidence weakened because of regional tensions and supply chain problems.
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Riyad Bank / S&P Global |
| Official source | S&P Global – Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia PMI, September 2026 ✓ pmi.spglobal.com |
Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector hired more staff in September 2026, according to the Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia PMI released on 5 October. The headline index climbed to 55.3 from 53.8 in August, the best result since February and the sixth monthly improvement in a row.
A reading above 50 means business conditions are improving.
Key numbers
| Indicator | September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Headline PMI | 55.3 (August: 53.8) |
| Employment | Rising, faster than in August |
| New orders | Fastest growth since February |
| Export orders | Still falling, but less sharply |
| Business activity | Growth eased to a five-month low |
| Confidence | Weaker, due to regional tensions |
Who is being hired
Survey respondents said they took on more sales staff and technical workers to support new investments. Riyad Bank chief economist Naif Al-Ghaith said the hiring appears linked to firms building long-term capacity, not just meeting short-term orders, which is a better sign for job security.
He also said the jump in new orders points to more activity in the months ahead.
The cautions
- Exports are weak. Orders from foreign clients fell for a seventh month, though the drop was smaller.
- Confidence slipped. Firms were less upbeat about the year ahead because of the regional conflict and supply chain disruption.
- Output growth slowed even as orders rose, so backlogs started to build.
How this compares with the UAE
In the UAE, the September PMI held at 55.3, but hiring there was only modest. Saudi firms are currently adding staff more confidently. See our report on UAE hiring in September.
What it means for job seekers
- Sales roles are in demand. Experience in B2B sales or account management is useful.
- Technical staff are wanted. Engineers, technicians and IT staff fit firms' expansion plans.
- Know the Saudization rules. Many sales and admin roles now have high Saudi quotas, so expats should target specialist jobs.
- Use official platforms. Saudi nationals can find openings on Jadarat.
Read more about Saudization in marketing and sales.
Frequently asked questions
Are Saudi companies hiring in 2026?
Yes. The September 2026 PMI showed Saudi non-oil firms increasing staff at a faster pace than in August.
What is the Saudi PMI for September 2026?
55.3, up from 53.8 in August. Anything above 50 means the non-oil private sector is growing.
Which jobs are Saudi firms adding?
The survey says firms expanded sales teams and technical staff to support new investments.
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