Saudi data centers to add 6,875 jobs by 2030

Massive job creation from digital infrastructure

The numbers behind this expansion tell an exciting story for jobseekers. Currently, Saudi Arabia has around 350 MW of existing data center capacity (3). With the target of reaching 1.5 gigawatts by 2030, this represents more than quadruple growth in just a few years.

Here's what this means for employment: A 100 MW data center creates approximately 500 construction jobs during its two to three-year build phase and 50 operational jobs during its twenty-year operational phase(4). Based on these calculations, approximately 6,875 jobs will be created in Saudi Arabia by 2030(4) from data center development alone.

But the job creation extends beyond direct data center roles. The digital government strategy alone is projected to create more than 26,000 new jobs by 2030(5), as the government digitizes services and implements AI-powered solutions across all sectors.

Key initiatives driving this growth

Several major initiatives are powering this transformation, with HUMAIN leading the charge. HUMAIN was launched in may 2025 under the public investment fund to build the entire AI stack: data centers, cloud infrastructure, models, and applications(6).

HUMAIN also co-developed and launched ALLaM, one of the world's most powerful arabic large language models(6). The company operates across the entire AI value chain, building next-generation data centers with hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA's most advanced GPUs.

Other significant investments include the $100 billion transcendence AI initiative backed by the public investment fund and a $5.3 billion commitment from amazon web services to develop new data centers(1). Companies like DataVolt are also contributing, with commitments to invest more than $5 billion in developing around 300MW of data center capacity(7).

Government's role in tech transformation

The Saudi government is actively creating conditions for success through targeted policies and investments. The Cloud Computing Special Economic Zone, launched in 2023, provides tax benefits and streamlined processes to attract foreign investment (8). This zone is expected to account for 30% of the Kingdom's ICT spending by 2030(8).

The government's approach goes beyond just building infrastructure. It's creating an entire ecosystem that includes training programs, regulatory frameworks, and partnerships with global technology leaders. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology works closely with the SDAIA to ensure coordinated development.

The digital government strategy aims to contribute SAR 11.4 billion to the Kingdom's GDP while creating those 26,000 new government sector jobs(5). This represents a comprehensive transformation of how government services are delivered to citizens.

Why Saudi Arabia? The strategic advantage in the digital race

International companies are choosing Saudi Arabia for several compelling economic reasons.

Land costs in Saudi Arabia typically range from $10 to $50 per square meter, compared to $150 to $600 per square meter in US data center hubs(8).

Energy costs provide another major advantage. Electricity tariffs in Saudi Arabia range from $0.05 to $0.06 per kWh, well below the US average of $0.09 to $0.15 per kWh(8). Since power represents the largest recurring expense for data centers, this creates significant long-term savings.

The Kingdom also offers exceptional access to capital through massive sovereign wealth funds like the Public Investment Fund, which are actively channeling billions into data centers as part of their diversification strategies(8). This financial backing provides stability and growth potential that attracts major international players.

Saudi Arabia's strategic location between Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it an ideal hub for regional data center operations, while the government's commitment to renewable energy integration appeals to companies with sustainability goals.

Career opportunities in data centers

The demand for skilled talent is surging across a wide range of roles. Here are the key professions building and running Saudi Arabia's new digital infrastructure:

The next 5 years: Your career window

The current moment represents a unique career opportunity window. As Saudi Arabia builds this massive data center network, professionals who enter the field now will gain experience with cutting-edge technology while the sector establishes itself.

The long-term growth trajectory of AI data centers is significantly higher due to the explosion of Gen-AI and large language models(8). Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an AI powerhouse, meaning early career professionals will benefit from being part of this foundational growth.

The next five years will likely reshape the entire technology landscape in Saudi Arabia. Professionals who build expertise now - whether in construction, operations, cybersecurity, or AI - will be well-positioned as the sector matures and expands further.

As the Kingdom's top companies and global tech giants race to build their teams for these ambitious projects, they are turning to trusted platforms to find the best talent. Naukrigulf is the platform of choice for leading recruiters looking to hire for these groundbreaking roles.

The kingdom is creating an entire technology ecosystem that will require skilled professionals across every aspect of the digital economy. Those who recognize this opportunity early will benefit most from Saudi Arabia's transformation into a global technology hub.

References

1. International Trade Administration - Saudi National Data Center Strategy
2. Saudi Data & AI Authority - Vision 2030 Goals Analysis
3. Arizton Intelligence - Saudi Data Center Capacity Report
4. BCG - Data Center Employment Impact Study
5. Saudi Government Website - Digital Government Strategy
6. Public Investment Fund, KSA - HUMAIN Launch Announcement
7. Data Centre Dynamics - DataVolt Investment Commitment
8. PWC Middle-east - Data Center Investment Analysis