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Real monthly salary ranges across IT, finance, engineering, healthcare, sales, hospitality, construction and education — gross AED figures reported by employers and job seekers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah.
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View Costs →Broad monthly pay bands (AED, gross) by industry — actual offers depend on company size, nationality of employer, experience and negotiation.
Software engineers, data analysts, DevOps, cybersecurity — highest ceiling of any sector.
Accountants, auditors, relationship managers, investment analysts at banks and free zone firms.
Civil, mechanical, electrical & MEP engineers — construction and oil & gas pay a premium.
Nurses, pharmacists, general physicians and specialists across public and private hospitals.
Base salary plus commission is standard — real estate and luxury retail pay the most.
Hotel staff, chefs, cabin crew, travel consultants — often includes accommodation & meals.
Site supervisors, foremen, skilled and semi-skilled labor on residential & infrastructure projects.
Teachers, school leaders and university lecturers — British & American curriculum schools pay more.
Receptionists, office admins, HR assistants and executive assistants across all industries.
Monthly gross salary in AED, entry-level to senior, based on typical Dubai & Abu Dhabi listings.
| Profession | Entry level | Mid-level | Senior / Manager | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,000–12,000 | 14,000–22,000 | 25,000–45,000 | Higher in fintech & big tech |
| Data Analyst | 6,000–9,000 | 10,000–16,000 | 18,000–28,000 | SQL + BI tools in demand |
| Accountant | 4,500–7,000 | 8,000–13,000 | 15,000–25,000 | CA/ACCA commands premium |
| Civil Engineer | 6,000–9,000 | 10,000–16,000 | 18,000–28,000 | Construction boom driving demand |
| Registered Nurse | 5,500–7,500 | 8,000–12,000 | 13,000–20,000 | DHA/HAAD license required |
| Marketing Executive | 5,000–8,000 | 9,000–15,000 | 16,000–28,000 | Digital skills boost offers |
| Real Estate Agent | 3,000–5,000 | +commission | 20,000–60,000 | Commission-heavy, high variance |
| Hotel Front Desk | 3,000–4,500 | 5,000–7,500 | 8,000–14,000 | Often incl. accommodation |
| Executive Assistant | 4,500–6,500 | 7,000–11,000 | 12,000–18,000 | Bilingual candidates preferred |
| School Teacher | 5,000–7,000 | 8,000–13,000 | 14,000–22,000 | British curriculum pays more |
| HR Manager | 7,000–10,000 | 12,000–18,000 | 20,000–32,000 | Larger firms pay premium |
| Construction Foreman | 3,500–5,000 | 5,500–8,000 | 9,000–15,000 | Site experience valued |
A few things that move your offer up or down before you negotiate.
Free zone companies (DIFC, DMCC, ADGM) often pay 10–20% more than mainland firms for the same role.
Western multinationals and Gulf conglomerates typically offer higher packages than small local businesses.
Housing, transport and annual flight allowances can add 20–40% on top of the listed basic salary.
Nurses, teachers and engineers need MOHRE/DHA/KHDA-recognized credentials — this directly affects the offer.
Health insurance, annual leave, flight tickets and end-of-service gratuity are all negotiable, not just basic pay.
All figures above are what you take home — the UAE has no personal income tax on salary.
A single person can live comfortably on AED 10,000–15,000/month in Dubai, covering a shared or studio apartment, transport and daily expenses. Families typically need AED 20,000+ to cover a larger home, schooling and a car.
Senior software engineers, investment bankers, specialist doctors and C-suite executives typically earn the highest salaries, often AED 35,000–80,000+ per month depending on company and experience.
Not always. Some employers offer an "all-inclusive" salary, while others break it into basic pay plus separate housing, transport and flight allowances. Always confirm the full package structure before accepting an offer.
Entry-level roles in admin, retail, hospitality and customer service typically start between AED 3,000 and 6,000 per month, while entry-level roles in IT, engineering and finance start around AED 6,000–9,000.
The UAE does not enforce a single nationwide minimum wage for all workers, but MOHRE guidelines set minimum skill-based salary thresholds required for family sponsorship and residence visa eligibility.
Government and semi-government roles often pay more in Abu Dhabi, while Dubai tends to offer more private-sector and multinational opportunities. Overall pay bands for the same profession are broadly similar.
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