Saudi jobs: More employees willing to switch in booming hiring market

Dubai: Saudi workplaces will face a fluid situation this year, with a sizable number of employees seeking ‘change’.

In fact, as high as 66% of professionals plan to move jobs over the current salary and/or benefits package, according to the latest Saudi jobs update from the consultancy Hays. The chances of these employees getting new jobs and with higher pay scales are also higher, given how the Kingdom’s hiring market is performing.

“The employment market across Saudi Arabia is booming,” said Mark Paul, Senior Manager at Hays Middle East. “Reflective of this year’s trend, 79% of employers say they will be recruiting employees on a permanent basis.”

Just about every non-oil sector in Saudi Arabia continues its hiring spree, with their focus trained on meeting the targets of having more Saudi nationals in the private sector. This has, according to hiring consultants, meant solid increases on salaries and benefits for talent.

The Hays' report says that last year 51% of professionals in Saudi Arabia got a salary increase, while and 81% say they are 'hopeful' for a salary increase this year.

“Recruitment efforts related to nationalization quotas continue to be a top priority for most businesses,” said Paul. “With 91% of employers sharing that they currently employ Saudi nationals.

“Additionally, 87% say they are planning to increase headcount of Saudi nationals throughout 2025.

Employers are seeking experienced individuals with both the relevant soft and technical skills to make an immediate impact.”

Businesses point to the kind of economic growth that the Kingdom has been having. "You look at the monthly PMIs (Purchasing Managers Index) and businesses talk about the need to keep hiring to meet demand," said an official with a construction firm.

"In sectors such as construction and project management, demand is always running ahead of actual availability of individuals with experience and skills."

With its new airline Riyadh Air and expansion programs by existing carriers, the aviation industry is humming with new job possibilities. Ditto for the hotel industry.

"Unless something changes dramatically, a lot of the hiring will continue until well into the final year of this decade," said a hospitality consultant. "Even if some of the projects are downsized or scrapped, there's still plenty happening."

According to the Hays report, "Overall, 90% of (Saudi) organizations plan to recruit in some capacity, with 79% set to hire employees on a permanent basis, 23% on a contract, freelance or temporary basis - and only 10% say that they are not planning to recruit."

By any measure, those are numbers that suggest the Saudi hiring boom will continue.