Human Resources: Raising the localization of marketing and sales to 60% with a salary of 5500 riyals
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has issued new ministerial decrees aimed at regulating the labor market and supporting Saudi nationals, including raising Saudization rates in marketing and sales positions within the private sector. This step complements the Ministry's ongoing efforts to provide a stimulating and productive work environment for Saudi citizens and enhance their participation in economic development.
Details of localization of marketing jobs
The first decision stipulates raising the Saudization rate in marketing professions to 60%, effective January 19, 2026. This decision applies to all private sector establishments employing three or more workers in marketing professions. The decision also sets the minimum wage for these professions at 5,500 Saudi Riyals to ensure job stability and a decent income for qualified Saudi nationals.
The list of professions targeted by this decision includes a wide range of vital specializations, such as: marketing manager, advertising agent, advertising manager, graphic designer, advertising designer, public relations specialist, advertising specialist, marketing specialist, public relations manager, and photographer. The ministry has granted a three-month grace period from the date of the announcement before commencing implementation procedures, to allow establishments sufficient time to adjust their operations.
Localization of the sales sector
In a related development, the second decision also raised the Saudization rate in sales professions to 60%, effective from the same date (January 19, 2026). This applies to establishments with three or more employees in this field. The targeted professions include: sales manager, retail sales representative, wholesale sales representative, sales representative, IT and communications equipment sales specialist, sales specialist, commercial specialist, and merchandise broker.
The context of Vision 2030 and the importance of decisions
These decisions are part of the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims primarily to reduce unemployment rates among Saudis and increase the private sector's contribution to the GDP. Marketing and sales professions are among the most dynamic sectors, capable of absorbing new graduates and job seekers, given the expansion of the Saudi market and the Kingdom's rapid commercial growth.
Historically, the Ministry of Human Resources has focused on localizing specialized sectors such as engineering, pharmacy, and accounting, and these efforts have proven remarkably successful in integrating Saudi citizens into the labor market. It is expected that localizing marketing and sales will create thousands of high-quality job opportunities, thereby boosting local purchasing power and supporting the national economy by keeping capital circulating within the Kingdom instead of transferring it abroad.
Incentives and government support
The ministry affirmed that private sector establishments will not be alone during this transitional phase, as they will benefit from a package of incentives offered by the human resources system. These incentives include support for recruitment, training and development, and employment, in addition to priority access to localization support programs and programs of the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).
The ministry called on all establishments to review the procedural guide for the two decisions on its website, which explains the mechanisms for calculating the percentages and the steps for compliance, stressing the need to adhere to the regulations to avoid penalties, and to take advantage of the grace period to rectify the situation and meet the requirements.
