It’s not enough to just make offers to get the best people to work in Dubai. The job market is now very competitive, and both companies and job seekers know how valuable they are. The job market in the UAE is changing quickly, so one important question is: What should we expect to make in 2025?
This guide looks at unique salary information that Dubai’s top HR recruitment agencies in Dubai have shared. If you’re a business owner looking to hire someone or a professional trying to figure out how much you should be paid, this resource will help you understand what you should expect to pay.
Why Salary Benchmarks Will Be Important in 2025
People from all over the world still want to work in the UAE. But a lot of businesses still use old salary models. Here are some reasons why it’s important to keep up with salary benchmarks:
- Risks of Losing Employees: Businesses are having trouble keeping employees because they are leaving for better offers.
- Being open is important: Candidates today do their research and come prepared with information about competitive offers.
- Emiratisation Policies: Companies have to find a balance between hiring Emiratis and staying competitive around the world because they have to hire more locals.
- Changing Economics: The cost of living and inflation have gone up, so people need to change how much they expect to make.
How to Figure Out How Much You Make
The information in our 2025 salary guide comes from:
- Ideas from experienced consultants at Dubai’s best HR recruitment agencies in Dubai
- A look at the need for workers and the talent that is available
- How client salary packages are changing in different fields
- Up-to-date information on candidate negotiations and placements
The Best-Paid Jobs in 2025
Based on data from the first half of 2025, here are the average monthly salary ranges (in AED) for each sector:
Finance
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): AED 75,000 to 100,000
- Financial Controller: AED 40,000–55,000
- Senior Accountant: AED 18,000 to 25,000
Tech & Digital
- Lead Software Engineer: AED 45,000 to 65,000
- Data Scientist: AED 35,000–50,000
- UI/UX Designer: AED 18,000–28,000
Administration and HR
- HR Director: AED 55,000 to AED 80,000
- Talent Acquisition Manager: AED 30,000–45,000
- HR Officer: AED 12,000–18,000
Marketing & Sales
- Marketing Director: AED 45,000 to 70,000
- Digital Marketing Manager: AED 25,000 to 35,000
- B2B Sales Executive: AED 15,000 to 25,000
Industries that will pay more in 2025
Some industries are seeing big wage increases:
- Tech Startups: To get good workers, these companies often offer stock options and good pay.
- Real Estate: The need for project managers and legal advisors is pushing up salaries.
- Healthcare: The growing need for doctors and nurses is driving up hiring budgets.
- Financial Services: Fintech jobs have seen big pay raises, some as high as 20% in the past year.
Things Employers Should Know Before Hiring
These tips from top HR recruitment agencies in Dubai can help you build a strong team in 2025:
- Move Quickly: It takes less than ten days to hire the best people.
- Flexibility is Important: Include hybrid work options and flexible schedules in your offer.
- Set a good benchmark: Look at salary offers for jobs that are similar to yours, not just jobs in your field.
- More than just the paycheck: Benefits like healthcare, help with getting a visa, and training budgets are becoming more and more important.
What Candidates Want in 2025
Workers today want more than just money. This is what they care about:
- Clear paths for moving up in your career
- Chances to learn new skills and grow professionally
- The ability to work from home when you want
- Help with mental health and wellness
- Clear KPIs and feedback systems
How Emiratisation Affects Salaries
As the focus on hiring local talent grows, Emirati professionals’ salary expectations are going up, especially in tech, banking, and government-backed projects. To hire Emirati talent, speed and flexibility are key:
- Training or onboarding programs that are made just for you
- Pay packages that meet government standards
- Fast-track development projects to keep people on board
How HR Firms Can Help in 2025
You don’t have to go through this complicated situation on your own. Working with experienced HR recruitment agencies in Dubai can give you:
- The most recent salary benchmarks
- Screening candidates and matching their skills to your needs
- Salary information that is specific to your needs
- Private headhunting for executive positions
- Help with following UAE labor laws and the goals of Emiratisation
Jobs That Are Hard to Fill Right Now
Right now, there are a lot of jobs that people want but not enough of them:
- Experts in AI and Data Science
- Managers of SaaS products
- Senior Legal Counsel with experience in the UAE
- HR Managers who can speak both Arabic and English
- Consultants for sustainability and ESG
Be ready to offer competitive pay or quick rewards if you want to hire people for these jobs.
Important Things for Employers to Remember
- Always compare your salary offers to others; using old numbers can cost you good workers.
- Know that your full pay includes more than just your salary; benefits are also important.
- Work with agencies that know a lot about your field.
- Keep the hiring process quick, fair, and adaptable.
Important Things to Remember for Job Seekers
- Know how much you’re worth—this guide is a great place to start.
- Focus on skills and experiences that are in demand right now.
These tips can help both employers and job seekers confidently and clearly navigate the changing job market in the UAE.
