Licensed partner of leading UAE developers
Call us, we're working now
+971 (556) 06-53-76
30.12.2025
1098
Save the article:
What is it about? Salaries in the UAE differ from those in Russia both in amount and payment process. There is no minimum wage in the Emirates — employers are not required to pay any set minimum. However, government-issued recommendations suggest average payments by sector.
What to consider? In addition to base salary, qualified employees receive various bonuses, allowances, and perks. It is also essential to understand what level of income is sufficient for a comfortable life in the UAE.
Dubai is one of the largest cities and the capital of the emirate of the same name in the UAE. Rapid economic growth attracts foreign travelers and those hoping to earn income. In Dubai, skilled professionals are offered attractive salaries and numerous benefits, alongside a high standard of living.
What is the minimum salary in the UAE?
Officially, Dubai does not have a minimum wage — the law does not set mandatory hourly or monthly pay. However, in 2013, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) published recommended salary levels for various employee groups, aiming to ensure people can meet basic needs.
Shortly after official employment, workers must open a bank account in the UAE, since salaries must be paid via the state Wage Protection System (WPS).
Recommended minimum salaries:
Article 27 of the UAE Labor Code states that the Cabinet reserves the right to set minimum wage rates for any employee category at any time.
People from around the world come to work in Dubai due to high salaries and no personal income tax. The average monthly salary in the UAE in 2025 is approximately 15,000–18,000 dirhams ($4,000–$5,000).
Many companies award bonuses based on performance, project completion, or annual results — sometimes fixed, sometimes a percentage of revenue. Bonus systems are especially popular in the fields of IT, marketing, management, and finance.
Image source: fizkes / shutterstock.com
End-of-contract bonuses (gratuities) are required by law for employees with at least one year of service. The employer must pay a 21 days' pay for every 12 months in the first five years, and 30 days per year thereafter (capped at two years' salary). New 2024 rules allow workers to invest gratuities in pension or savings funds.
Besides base salary, Dubai employees often receive compensation packages. These usually include:
Compensation packages are a tool for employer competition, as some employees choose the company that offers them the most favorable benefits. There are also mandatory benefits per UAE Labor Code.
These include:
Wages are securely paid via the Wage Protection System to ensure accurate and timely payments.
Cooper Fitch, a Gulf agency, notes that there is currently a push for economic diversification and technological innovation in the United Arab Emirates. There is considerable demand for personnel in the construction and technology sectors, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector.
Below are the minimum and maximum salaries in Dubai in 2025 by industry, according to Cooper Fitch:
| Sector | Position | Min Salary (AED/mo) | Max Salary (AED/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auditing | Partner (5+ years exp) | 94,000 | 132,000 |
| Director | 44,000 | 55,000 | |
| Manager | 24,000 | 33,000 | |
| Senior Associate | 14,000 | 19,000 | |
| Junior Associate | 8,000 | 13,000 | |
| Wealth Management Banking Services | Head of Wealth (16+ years exp) | 149,000 | 186,000 |
| Executive Director / Head of Department (10–12 years exp) | 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 | Head of Corporate Banking | 96,000 | 146,000 |
| Team Leader | 88,000 | 99,000 | |
| Director | 53,000 | 69,000 | |
| Manager | 38,000 | 49,000 | |
| Manufacturing | Managing Director | 103,000 | 142,000 |
| Chief Production Officer | 71,000 | 88,000 | |
| Plant / Factory / Manufacturing Manager | 30,000 | 44,000 | |
| QA Manager | 26,000 | 33,000 | |
| Design Engineer | 8,000 | 16,000 | |
| Real Estate | CEO of Development | 132,000 | 263,000 |
| Executive 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/Marketing | Sales Director | 78,000 | 110,000 |
| Commercial Director | 59,000 | 72,000 | |
| Sales Manager | 23,000 | 34,000 | |
| Key Account Executive | 8,000 | 16,000 | |
| Technology (Cyber Security) | 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 |
The above information gives a general idea of the average salaries in the UAE. Actual salary for a specific worker depends on their qualifications, experience, and personal qualities.
To assess whether the earnings will be sufficient for living in this luxurious country, one should consider typical expenses. Most of the budget goes toward rent, services, and transportation. For an average employee, the salary allocation is:
Most expenses go towards accommodation, typically rental. However, in some cases, people consider purchasing an apartment. There are numerous agencies in Dubai that can help find the most cost-effective option.
The rental cost of a studio apartment in Downtown Dubai is $2,000 per month. More affordable options are available on the outskirts of the city ($900 in Jumeirah Village Circle).
The price for the same apartment in central Dubai starts at $340,328. In less prestigious areas, the prices start at $170,708.
UtilitiesElectricity and water charges in Dubai are comparable to those in Moscow: the average family pays $175 per month.
Internet access is slightly more expensive — a standard plan costs $90 for 30 days. The cheapest mobile phone service costs $7 per month.
A significant portion of a person's salary in the UAE goes toward food. Food is quite inexpensive in Dubai, but this only applies to home-cooked meals. In smaller areas of the capital (such as Deira), food prices are much lower than in the city center.
Image source: Look Studio / shutterstock.com
Below is a typical set of products with prices:
But not everyone can cook at home. Therefore, it's worth considering the delivery prices of local restaurants. Inexpensive cafes and mid-range restaurants are a good choice.
A set lunch at such a restaurant in the city center will cost between $11 and $20. In a more modest part of the city, you can find options for $5 or $6. For tourists, Dubai offers a wide range of traditional and European dishes at higher prices.
You can get around the city by bus or metro. Frequent travelers usually buy a travel pass. A metro pass costs approximately $96; a one-way ride costs $1–2.
Image source: AY Amazefoto / shutterstock.com
Taxis in the city operate on a meter, and they are usually used by wealthy residents. Even if you're stuck in traffic (which is not uncommon in Dubai), the meter keeps running.
Health insurance is mandatory in Dubai, including for non-citizen employees. A standard annual policy costs $170 and covers most expenses, but an additional 20% of the cost is charged for doctor's visits. You can also purchase a policy with full coverage to avoid additional costs.
Residents who choose not to purchase health insurance will be charged a $115 monthly fee. Therefore, purchasing an annual policy is more cost-effective.
Dubai offers a wide variety of entertainment options. The key is to budget wisely to avoid wasting your money. Below are the most popular attractions in the UAE capital, with prices:
Thus, average UAE salaries cover most expenses if the budget is managed wisely.
The UAE doesn't tax salaries because they want to attract qualified specialists to their country. This only applies to people who have come from other countries.
Foreigners pay no royalty, dividend, interest, wealth, donation, or capital gains taxes; expat pensions are also untaxed.
This figure ranges from 1% to 4.5%. The most active growth is observed in HR and finance, with moderate growth in the legal field.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are most popular, with annual pay about 50,000 AED higher than in other cities. It's there that construction projects are being implemented more actively, and significant investments are pouring in; consequently, the demand for labor is much higher.
Salaries in Dubai in 2025 are very high — especially for skilled and experienced staff. Alongside good wages, social benefits are provided, but high rent, service, and transport costs require careful financial planning.
Article header image source: NATNN / shutterstock.com
