The average salary in Dubai is one of the key aspects that interests many professionals worldwide who are considering Dubai as a place for their professional development. Indeed, the status of an international business hub, relatively high salary levels compared to other regions, absence of personal income tax, developed infrastructure, and political and economic stability—all of these factors make Dubai one of the main destinations for migration, including labour migration.
Salaries in Dubai According to UAE Labour Legislation
The UAE labour legislation, specifically Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, does not set a minimum wage. However, it provides that the Cabinet of Ministers may, by resolution, establish a minimum wage for all workers or certain categories of workers.
Moreover, the legislation includes the term “basic wage,” which should not be confused with the minimum wage. The basic wage is:
- Specified in the employment contract,
- Paid to the employee for performing their contractual duties within a set period, and
- Does not include any allowances or benefits in kind.
Additionally, it is provided that, in addition to the basic wage, an employee may be granted allowances and benefits of the following types:
- Benefits in kind or monetary equivalents from the employer, as provided in the employment contract or the institution’s charter;
- Bonuses to which the employee is entitled due to efforts made, risks faced during work performance, or on other grounds; or
- Allowances for daily expenses, a percentage of sales, or profits.
In this context, it’s also interesting to note that salaries in Dubai must meet the basic needs of workers. Therefore, even in the absence of a legislatively established minimum wage, it can be expected that a certain salary level in Dubai will be ensured.
In general, an analysis of the legislation allows us to conclude the following:
- A minimum wage is not established for either UAE citizens or migrant workers;
- Salaries are determined exclusively by the employment contract and largely depend on the qualifications and experience of the specific employee;
- Salaries consist of a basic component, as well as allowances and benefits, which should also be specified in the employment contract;
- It is expected that the salary level in Dubai will be at least sufficient to cover basic living expenses.
Expected Average Salary in Dubai in 2024
First and foremost, it’s important to note that in 2024, salaries in the UAE are expected to grow by 4.5%. Although this is only a general trend that may vary depending on specific economic sectors or individual specialists, it reflects a positive dynamic in the labour market development in the UAE in 2024.
Labour market analysis conducted by leading recruitment agencies allows us to determine the average salary in Dubai for specialists from various fields. For instance, the open database World Salaries uses data from:
- Official government sources,
- Salary surveys, and
- Job advertisements.
Based on the analysis conducted, we can highlight the following approximate values of the average salary in Dubai for 2024:
| Average annual salary in Dubai | 233,900 AED |
| Average monthly salary in Dubai | 19,491 AED |
| Minimum annual salary in Dubai | 50,540 AED |
| Minimum average monthly salary in Dubai | 4,211 AED |
| Maximum annual salary in Dubai | 1,079,600 AED |
| Maximum average monthly salary in Dubai | 89,966 AED |
The dirham’s exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar, with 1 dirham equal to 0.27 US dollars.
Factors Affecting Salary Levels
It’s important not only to have information about the highest-paying professions but also to understand which additional factors influence salary levels.
| Experience |
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| Education |
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| Gender |
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Thus, factors such as the level of education, work experience in the relevant field, and gender affect salary levels in Dubai. In some cases, the presence or absence of a particular factor can significantly influence the salary amount.
Salaries in Dubai by Sector
The largest recruitment agency, Cooper Fitch, which specialises in analysing the Gulf countries, generally notes trends towards economic diversification and the implementation of technological innovations in the UAE. There is a particular growth—and, accordingly, a need for specialists—in the construction sector and the technology sector, especially in the field of artificial intelligence technologies.
We offer some information on the expected minimum and maximum salaries in Dubai in 2024 by economic sectors, as presented by Cooper Fitch:
Audit
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Partner (5+ years’ experience) | 94,000 | 132,000 |
| Director | 44,000 | 55,000 |
| Manager | 24,000 | 33,000 |
| Senior Specialist | 14,000 | 19,000 |
| Junior Specialist | 8,000 | 13,000 |
Wealth Management Banking Services
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Head of Wealth Management (16+ years’ experience) | 149,000 | 186,000 |
| Executive Director/Department Head (10–12 years) | 85,000 | 110,000 |
| Senior Private Assets Manager | 71,000 | 88,000 |
| Private Assets Manager | 51,000 | 69,000 |
| Specialist | 38,000 | 50,000 |
Corporate Banking Services
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Head of Department | 96,000 | 146,000 |
| Team Leader | 88,000 | 99,000 |
| Director | 53,000 | 69,000 |
| Manager | 38,000 | 49,000 |
Manufacturing
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 103,000 | 142,000 |
| Manufacturing Director | 71,000 | 88,000 |
| Plant Director | 30,000 | 44,000 |
| Quality Control Manager | 26,000 | 33,000 |
| Design Engineer | 8,000 | 16,000 |
Real Estate
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Development Officer | 132,000 | 263,000 |
| Executive Development Director | 88,000 | 165,000 |
| Senior Manager | 43,000 | 72,000 |
| Urban Planning Manager | 27,000 | 48,000 |
| Construction Manager | 22,000 | 39,000 |
Sales and Marketing
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Director | 78,000 | 99,000 |
| Commercial Director | 59,000 | 72,000 |
| Sales Manager | 23,000 | 34,000 |
| Key Account Specialist | 8,000 | 16,000 |
Technology Sector (Cybersecurity)
| Position | Minimum Salary (AED/month) | Maximum Salary (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Partner | 91,000 | 117,000+ |
| Director | 57,000 | 64,000 |
| Senior Manager | 44,000 | 51,000 |
| Manager | 33,000 | 39,000 |
| Consultant | 15,000 | 19,000 |
| Business Analyst | 11,000 | 15,000 |
Please note that the data presented above are provided as a guideline only, and actual salaries may vary depending on the level of experience, qualifications, and working conditions.
Prospects for Migrant Workers in Dubai
Dubai offers migrants a wide range of employment opportunities across various industries, from construction and tourism to finance and information technology. Moreover, considering the region’s continued development, it can be expected that prospects for migrant workers in Dubai will improve.
However, it’s important to remember the necessity of complying with formal requirements regarding documentation and work visas in the UAE, as well as potential difficulties in adapting to local conditions and culture.
In addition, aside from employment with a UAE company, registering your own company in the UAE may be of interest to migrants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, salary levels in Dubai depend on many factors, including education level, work experience, gender characteristics, as well as the specifics of the industry and the particular company. These factors collectively shape the salary levels in Dubai, representing a complex dynamic that can change depending on various social and economic factors.
- Stable jurisdiction;
- Freezones available;
- 100% foreign ownership.
