Kaoutar Makrache , Payroll & Compliance Lead, Cercli

Apr 17, 2025

What Is The Average Basic Salary In Dubai? Guide For Businesses

In the fast-paced world of business, understanding the wage protection system in the UAE can significantly streamline the recruitment process, reducing the stress of salary negotiations and ensuring compliance with local regulations. For companies, this system enhances transparency and trust, which are essential for attracting and retaining top talent.

Cercli’s global HR system simplifies compliance with the UAE’s wage protection system, helping your team navigate local payroll regulations with confidence and clarity.

What Is The Average Basic Salary In Dubai?

Dubai’s salary landscape remains diverse, reflecting the city’s dynamic economy and range of industries. According to Michael Page and Max, the average salary in Dubai is approximately AED 15,800 per month, with a median monthly income of AED 13,800. This figure represents a broad cross-section of roles and experience levels across sectors.

Industry-specific data shows significant variation:

Technology roles such as software engineers average AED 20,000–40,000 per month.
Finance professionals, like investment bankers, can earn AED 40,000–70,000 monthly.
Healthcare specialists, such as surgeons, may see salaries from AED 50,000–90,000.

Most professional roles have a starting salary between AED 10,000 and AED 40,000 per month, according to The National’s analysis of over 500 jobs in 2025. Entry-level salaries in many sectors tend to start around AED 10,000, with averages rising significantly for experienced and specialized positions.

Average Salary Overview

According to recent data, the average salary in the UAE is AED 13,450 per month (approximately USD 3,663). This figure positions the UAE as a leader in average wages within the GCC region. Consulting firms project a 4% increase in salaries by 2025. However, averages don’t always reflect the full picture. Salary levels can vary significantly between blue-collar and white-collar roles, shaped by factors such as industry, experience, skill set, and background.

Salary Disparities Across Industries

Salary differences in Dubai are indeed significant across sectors and roles, especially at the senior management level. According to recent compensation reports, senior managers and directors in the UAE can earn between AED 60,000 and AED 80,000 per month, with government roles often starting at AED 70,000 or higher for senior positions. In the private sector, senior managers typically earn AED 40,000 or more per month, depending on the industry and company size.

For example, in investment management and banking, public sector chief investment officers can earn from AED 503,210 to over AED 763,360 annually (about AED 42,000–63,000+ per month), while private sector equivalents also command high salaries, though often slightly lower than their public sector counterparts. These disparities reflect the expertise required and the premium placed on international experience, particularly for expatriate hires in top management roles.

What’s Included in Compensation Packages?

In Dubai, salaries are just one part of the equation. Many mid- to high-income roles come with benefits like housing and transport allowances, health insurance, and annual airfare home. On the other hand, lower-wage positions may offer company-provided housing but fewer additional perks.

What Is The Average Annual Salary Increment In Dubai?

Government Sector Salary Increases

The UAE government sector often leads in implementing structured salary increase programmes to retain top talent and align with national economic goals.

Annual Adjustments

Government employees typically receive periodic salary reviews aligned with the country's economic performance, inflation rates, and sectoral demands. For instance, 2024 saw Emirati nationals in the public sector receiving salary increases averaging 16%, particularly to attract and retain UAE talent in high-demand roles.

Performance-Based Increments

Government entities often link raises to individual performance appraisals, focusing on productivity and alignment with national objectives like the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan.

Unified Salary Scale for Emiratis

To promote fairness, the government follows a standardised pay scale for Emirati professionals, adjusted based on qualifications, years of service, and job level.

Salary Increase Practices in the Private Sector

In the private sector, salary increases are influenced by market dynamics, employer policies, and government initiatives such as Emiratisation and the Nafis Program.

Increment Trends

According to the GCC Salary Guide 2025 by Hays, 48% of UAE employees in the private sector received salary hikes in 2024, with most increments ranging between 2.5% and 5%. Employers expect similar trends for 2025, with 75% projecting salary increases in their organisations.

Emiratisation Impact

Private companies hiring UAE nationals are incentivised through government subsidies, encouraging competitive salary packages. This has led to higher increments for Emirati employees in private firms compared to expatriates.

Sector-Specific Trends

Certain industries, such as technology, finance, and healthcare, are witnessing higher salary increases due to talent shortages and heightened demand for specialised skills.

Overview of Salary Increase Practices in the UAE

Salary increase practices in the UAE vary between the public and private sectors, each with its own set of guidelines and norms. In the public sector, salary increases are often structured and predictable, while in the private sector, they can be more variable and influenced by market conditions.

In the government sector, raises are typically tied to performance and economic factors, while in the private sector, they may be influenced by company policies and the competitive landscape. Understanding these practices can help employees navigate their career growth and salary expectations in the UAE.

How Much Is Minimum Wage In Dubai?

In Dubai, and the UAE in general, there’s no official nationwide minimum wage that applies to all workers. Instead of setting a one-size-fits-all wage floor like many countries do, the UAE takes a more segmented approach that depends on job categories and skill levels.

What Does This Mean in Practice?

Salaries in Dubai are typically agreed upon between the employer and the employee during the hiring process. However, the UAE has implemented measures to make sure these agreements are fair, particularly in sectors that are more vulnerable to exploitation — like domestic work, construction, and certain service jobs.

One key protection is the Wage Protection System (WPS). This government-mandated electronic salary transfer system ensures that workers are paid on time and in full. Employers are required to process salaries through this system, helping to clamp down on late payments or underpayments, especially for low-wage workers.

Are There Any Job-Based Minimums?

Yes, in certain sectors, especially for domestic workers, the government has laid out clearer guidelines. For instance, there are minimum wage agreements between the UAE and some labour-sending countries (like India, the Philippines, and Indonesia), which set baseline pay for domestic workers from those nations. But these are more diplomatic agreements than national laws, and they only apply to certain job roles.

How Does Dubai Compare to Other Gulf Countries?

Dubai's wage policy is fairly consistent with the broader Gulf region. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also don’t have a universal minimum wage. Instead, they enforce wage minimums for specific sectors — especially domestic work — while leaving wages in other sectors up to negotiation. This reflects a regional trend where labour policies are more tailored and flexible, rather than standardised across the board.

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How Do Employers Pay Salaries In Dubai?

In the UAE, and specifically in Dubai, payroll isn’t just a matter of internal HR policy. It’s a regulated legal requirement. Employers operating under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) must adhere to the Wages Protection System (WPS), a government initiative designed to ensure timely, transparent, and documented payment of employee salaries.

What Is the WPS?

The Wages Protection System is an electronic salary transfer platform that enables private sector employers to pay wages through UAE Central Bank-approved financial institutions. It was established to combat delayed salary payments and to enforce fair labour practices by ensuring that wages are paid in full and on time.

Once subscribed to the WPS, employers are required to transfer employees' salaries directly into their bank accounts or wage cards through this centralised system. This removes the risks of cash payments or undocumented transfers, while giving the government visibility into payroll compliance across sectors.

Currency and Timing

While Emirati Dirham (AED) is the standard payment currency, employers can choose to pay in a foreign currency, provided this has been clearly stipulated and agreed upon in the employment contract. The key requirement is that wages must be disbursed on or before the due date, as stated in the contract. Any delay can trigger legal scrutiny, fines, or other compliance penalties.

No WPS, No MoHRE Services

MoHRE maintains a strict stance: companies that are not registered with WPS are barred from using MoHRE services. This includes everything from applying for work permits to processing labour-related transactions. In effect, being outside the WPS ecosystem freezes a company’s ability to operate legally in the labour market.

Who Is Exempt from WPS?

While the system is mandatory for most employers and employees, some exceptions exist:

Employees Exempt from WPS

Employees who have filed a wage-related lawsuit.
Workers reported absent via a formal ‘work abandonment’ report.
New employees during their first 30 days of employment from the wage due date.
Employees on unpaid leave, provided the leave is officially documented and submitted to MoHRE.

Employers Exempt from WPS

UAE nationals who own fishing boats.
UAE nationals who own public taxis.
Banks, which follow a separate regulatory payroll framework.
Houses of worship, such as mosques, churches, and temples.

For employers, WPS isn't just about staying on the right side of the law—it’s also a reputational safeguard. The system increases trust with employees, supports consistent financial planning, and reduces disputes related to compensation. For employees, it provides transparency, security, and traceability, reinforcing their rights to fair and timely remuneration.

Factors Affecting Wage Levels In The UAE

Several factors determine how much employees earn in the UAE. These include industry, experience level, nationality, and employer type.

Industry and Job Role

Salaries vary widely based on the industry. Sectors like finance, healthcare, technology, and construction offer different pay scales. High-skilled roles, such as surgeons and investment bankers, command top salaries.

Experience and Qualifications

Professionals with advanced degrees, certifications, and years of experience typically earn more. Employers value expertise and education, making professional development a key factor in salary growth.

Employer Type and Company Size

Multinational corporations, government entities, and large local companies often offer higher salaries and better benefits than smaller firms.

Book a Demo to Speak with Our Team about Our Global HR System

Cercli is the only HR platform designed specifically for MENA businesses. Our solution unifies all your workforce management needs in one powerful system, so you can finally eliminate the complexity of using multiple fragmented tools.

With Cercli, you’ll enjoy a single source of truth that simplifies every aspect of HR while keeping your business compliant with local regulations.

Whether you’re managing a growing team of 25 or coordinating 500+ employees across different countries, Cercli provides the localised expertise and streamlined processes that UAE businesses need to scale confidently.

‍Book a demo today to see how we can help you transform your HR operations.

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What Is The Average Basic Salary In Dubai? Guide For Businesses