IT and Tech Careers for Saudis: Roles, Skills and Pathways
IT jobs for Saudis are in demand partly because MHRSD requires private establishments with five or more workers in an ICT profession group to fill 25% of it with Saudis, in force since 27 June 2021. Covered roles include engineers, developers and technical support staff, and Saudis count at SAR 7,000 or SAR 5,000 depending on the group. Employers look for recognized credentials and practical skills. The rule raises demand but does not guarantee a job.
IT jobs for Saudis sit in one of the few technology areas with its own MHRSD quota. Since 27 June 2021, private establishments with five or more workers in a group of ICT professions have needed 25% of that group to be Saudi. Our IT Saudization record has the rule in full. This guide covers the roles, skills, credentials and routes in.
Why is demand for Saudis in IT rising?
Three things push demand. First, the 25% ICT rule creates a standing need for qualifying Saudis in engineering, development and technical support. MHRSD announced it with a target of 9,000 jobs. Second, other rules reach tech employers: engineering at 30%, sales at 60% for ICT Sales Specialists, and the whole-company Nitaqat rating. Third, national programs train Saudis in digital skills, such as Tuwaiq Academy's technical bootcamps.
The rule increases demand for qualified Saudis. It does not guarantee any individual a job. Compare it with other professions in the Saudization rates database.
Which IT roles are covered by the 25% rule?
The decision covers 36 occupations in three groups. Each group is tested separately, and a Saudi counts toward it only at the wage floor shown, as registered with GOSI.
| Role (examples) | What you do | Group | Wage floor to count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer engineer | Designs and builds computer systems and software platforms | 1 | SAR 7,000 |
| Network engineer | Designs and runs enterprise and carrier networks | 1 | SAR 7,000 |
| Communications engineer | Works on telecom systems and transmission | 1 | SAR 7,000 |
| Software development specialist | Builds and maintains applications | 2 | SAR 7,000 |
| Software engineering specialist | Applies engineering practice to software design and delivery | 2 | SAR 7,000 |
| Business analysis specialist | Turns business needs into system requirements | 2 | SAR 7,000 |
| Computer programmer | Writes and tests code | 2 | SAR 7,000 |
| Technical support specialist | Resolves user and system issues | 3 | SAR 5,000 |
| Network administrator | Keeps networks configured and secure | 3 | SAR 5,000 |
| Network or telephone technician | Installs and repairs network and telecom equipment | 3 | SAR 5,000 |
Roles such as cybersecurity analyst, data scientist, cloud engineer and AI engineer do not appear among the titles we verified. They are still real careers, and employers hire for them, but the 25% rule may not apply to them. Coverage depends on the occupation registered for each worker.
What skills do employers look for?
- Core technical skills: a language such as Java, Python, JavaScript or C#, plus databases and version control.
- Networking fundamentals: routing, switching, TCP/IP, wireless and fiber basics.
- Cloud and infrastructure: AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, containers, and infrastructure as code.
- Security awareness: access control, secure coding, and incident basics.
- Analysis and documentation: requirements, user stories, test cases and clear reports.
- Service skills: ticketing, escalation and communication with non-technical users.
- Arabic and English: technical documentation and client communication.
Which IT certifications help?
| Certification | Issued by | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ and Network+ | CompTIA | Technical support and entry networking |
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | First security credential |
| Cisco CCNA | Cisco | Network engineers and administrators |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, Google Associate Cloud Engineer | AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud | Cloud and infrastructure roles |
| CISSP | ISC2 | Senior security professionals |
| CISA and CISM | ISACA | Audit, governance and security management |
| Certified Ethical Hacker | EC-Council | Penetration testing and offensive security |
| ITIL 4 Foundation | PeopleCert | IT service management |
| PMP | Project Management Institute | Delivery and program leads |
Each body sets its own eligibility and exam rules. Confirm current requirements with the issuer. Google Career Certificates and vendor training are other entry routes.
Is there a licence or accreditation for IT roles?
There is no general state licence for developers or technical support staff in the sources we reviewed. Two accreditation points matter:
- Engineers: roles registered under the 46 occupations in the engineering rule count only with Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) accreditation and a SAR 8,000 wage. If your role is engineering-coded, check SCE's requirements early.
- Cybersecurity: the National Cybersecurity Authority publishes the Saudi Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (SCyWF), including a career progression document. It is a useful map of cyber work roles even where no quota applies.
How do you start an IT career as a Saudi?
- Pick a track: software, networks, cloud, security or support. Read job ads for the skills they list.
- Build proof of skill. A project portfolio, a GitHub account or a lab setup carries weight for graduates and career switchers.
- Earn a first credential from the table that matches your track.
- Join a bootcamp. Tuwaiq Academy announced more than 160 technical bootcamps, open to students, graduates and employees, in subjects including programming, AI, cybersecurity and cloud.
- Use Tamheer. HRDF's on-the-job training for graduates lasts three to six months with SAR 3,000 monthly support, according to HRDF's published guide. Check current terms in our support programs guide.
- Ask how the role is registered. The wage floor and the group decide whether you count toward the employer's rate.
Technical professionals with delivery skills can also move into project management careers.
What does an IT career path look like?
| Stage | Typical roles | What moves you up |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Technical support specialist, junior developer, network technician, graduate engineer | A first certification, ticket volume and quality, a working portfolio |
| Mid | Software developer, network administrator, systems analyst, security analyst | Depth in one stack, cloud or security credentials, leading small projects |
| Senior | Senior engineer, architect, engineering manager, head of IT or security | System design, leading teams, budgets and vendor management |
Where do IT professionals work?
| Employer type | Typical roles | What the work involves |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom and network operators | Network engineer, communications engineer, network technician | Core and access networks, fiber and radio |
| Software and IT services firms | Software developer, business analyst, tester | Building and integrating systems for clients |
| Banks and large enterprises | Systems analyst, administrator, security staff | Running internal platforms and security |
| Cybersecurity and managed service providers | Security analyst, support specialist | Monitoring, response and support |
Which HRDF programs support Saudi job seekers?
HRDF (also called Hadaf) runs programs for individuals. Its guide for individuals lists eight, including on-the-job training, training sponsorship, job matching, job search support, career guidance and e-training.
| Program | What it offers | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| On-the-job training (Tamheer) | Graduate placement of three to six months with SAR 3,000 monthly support, per HRDF's guide | Support programs |
| Training sponsorship | Support for approved certificates | HRDF e-services |
| Career guidance and job matching | Counseling and connection to openings | HRDF e-services |
| Doroob e-training | Free online courses with certificates | Doroob platform |
| Jadarat | National employment portal | Jadarat portal |
Programs, eligibility and amounts change. Confirm with HRDF before you plan around any figure.
What should you check before you apply?
- Which occupation the job is registered under. Coverage follows the registered occupation, not the title in the advert.
- Whether the employer has five or more workers in that group. Below that, the 25% rule does not apply to them.
- Whether your pay will meet the group's floor, since the floor decides whether you count.
Return to the Saudi careers hub for other professions opening under Saudization.
Frequently asked questions
01Do I need a degree to get an IT job as a Saudi?
Not always. The sources we reviewed name no degree requirement for the ICT rule, only the wage a Saudi must earn to count. Employers often prefer a computer science or engineering degree, but bootcamps, certifications and a portfolio of projects can open entry-level and technical support roles.
02Which IT certifications are worth getting first?
For networks, Cisco CCNA or CompTIA Network+. For security, CompTIA Security+ first, then CISSP or CISM later. For cloud, an associate-level AWS, Azure or Google Cloud certificate. Pick the one that matches the job ads you are targeting.
03Is there a licence for software developers in Saudi Arabia?
No state licence for developers appears in the sources we reviewed. Engineers registered under engineering occupations need Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation to count under the 30% engineering rule, and cybersecurity roles have a national framework from the NCA.
04Can a fresh graduate count toward an employer's IT Saudization rate?
Only if the graduate's registered GOSI wage reaches the group's floor: SAR 7,000 for engineering and development, SAR 5,000 for technical support. A graduate paid less still has a job but is not counted toward that group's 25%.
05Is cybersecurity covered by Saudization rules?
We found no MHRSD decision that names cybersecurity analyst roles. MHRSD does list a cybersecurity consulting specialist among examples in its consulting services decision. The NCA's SCyWF framework describes cybersecurity work roles and career progression.
06What does Tamheer offer IT graduates?
HRDF's guide describes Tamheer as on-the-job training of three to six months with SAR 3,000 monthly support. HRDF's February 2026 program guide asks host employers for a Medium Green Nitaqat band or higher, while its Tamheer page says Green or above, so check at application. Check current terms with HRDF before planning around the amount.
Sources
- MHRSD: Ministerial decision localizing communications and IT professions (5 October 2020). Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
- Al Tamimi & Company: Saudisation of IT and communication roles. Al Tamimi & Company.
- National Cybersecurity Authority: The Saudi Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (SCyWF). National Cybersecurity Authority.
- Arab News: Riyadh's Tuwaiq Academy, global tech giants to launch more than 160 bootcamps. Arab News.
- HRDF: Program guide for individuals. Human Resources Development Fund.