What is the Average Salary in Dubai?

Dubai has been a favorite destination for luxury tourism for many years, but also for many expatriates looking for a more prosperous life.

Around 80% of the emirate’s population is made up of expatriates, partly because of the high quality of life and the attractive salaries.

The average salary in Dubai is AED 21,500 per month, which is equivalent to USD $5,853.

The salary of a worker in Dubai is therefore on average higher than in Western countries.

Find out the average salaries by profession and how they are set by employers in Dubai.

The Average Salary in Dubai by Occupation

Salaries in Dubai vary considerably depending on the qualifications, work experience, and nationality of the worker.

Salaries are generally much more attractive than those offered in Western countries for qualified expatriates. On the other hand, incomes for unskilled employees and workers are significantly lower than in the US.

Highly qualified profiles with several years of experience in finance, new technologies or international trade are highly sought after.

Note that the official currency is the UAE dirham (AED or Dh). One dollar is equivalent to approximately 3,67 AED.

Here is a table of average salaries in Dubai in 2022, per month and in USD, for different professions in Dubai.

All of the above salaries are net. There is no direct personal income tax or social security contributions in Dubai.

Is There a Minimum Wage in Dubai?

There is currently no regulation in Dubai that defines a minimum wage for workers in any industry. Employers are free to determine the salary and benefits they offer.

The importance of negotiating your salary in Dubai

Negotiation is a very common practice in the Dubai workplace. The negotiation skills of the worker are essential in order to obtain good salary conditions.

It is essential to negotiate the monthly salary before signing an employment contract, but also the various benefits that the employer can offer.

Many employers offer their workers the following benefits:

• Health care
• Housing
• Transportation
• A company car
• Children’s education
• Telephone package
• Etc.

Note that it is increasingly common for the employer to simply pay allowances to the employee so that the employee has enough money to cover all these expenses.

The Average Salary in Dubai: the Most Attractive in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal state, established in 1971, located in the Middle East and consisting of seven emirates, including Dubai.

Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the UAE, while Dubai has been considered the economic capital for many years. The emirate of Dubai has achieved this status thanks to the numerous investments made in luxury tourism, new technologies, and trade.

These investments allow Dubai to have a flourishing economy and to offer more professional opportunities, mainly for highly qualified expatriates.

The average salary in Dubai is between 10 and 20% higher than in the rest of the UAE.

Here is a table showing the average salary in Dubai per month and in USD compared to the average salaries in other major UAE cities:

Average Salary to Live in Dubai Comfortably

In order to cover all your needs in terms of education, housing, transportation, or food, it is necessary to have a decent salary package in Dubai.

It is the most expensive city in the UAE along with Abu Dhabi, although the cost of living is about 14-15% lower than in the US.

For example, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs between USD $1,300 and USD $1,700. For the same type of accommodation outside the city center, the cost is between USD $900 and USD $1,200.

Apart from accommodation, which is the biggest cost, other expenses are relatively affordable. However, it is important to be careful and avoid the touristy areas where palaces, restaurants, and luxury shops are located.

Living and working in Dubai is therefore a particularly interesting solution from a financial point of view for qualified profiles. The average salary in Dubai is attractive and is more than enough to live comfortably compared to the cost of living in Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Average Salary in Dubai