πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ͺ UAE salary guide 2025

UAE salaries 2025: Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Every salary in the UAE is completely tax-free. Here are the real salary ranges across Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2025 β€” technology, finance, engineering, healthcare, oil and gas, and more.

0%
Personal income tax in UAE
3.67
USD to AED (fixed peg)
AED
Currency: UAE Dirham
May 2025
Last updated
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Technology salaries β€” UAE 2025

RoleJunior (AED/mo)Mid-level (AED/mo)Senior (AED/mo)
Software Engineer12,000 - 18,00018,000 - 30,00030,000 - 55,000
Data Scientist / ML Engineer14,000 - 20,00020,000 - 35,00035,000 - 60,000
DevOps / Cloud Engineer13,000 - 19,00019,000 - 32,00032,000 - 55,000
Product Manager14,000 - 22,00022,000 - 38,00038,000 - 65,000
Cybersecurity Engineer14,000 - 20,00020,000 - 35,00035,000 - 60,000
UX / Product Designer10,000 - 16,00016,000 - 28,00028,000 - 50,000
CTO / VP Engineeringβ€”40,000 - 65,00065,000 - 150,000+

Monthly, tax-free AED. Dubai Internet City and DIFC rates. Browse UAE tech jobs β†’

RoleJunior (AED/mo)Mid-level (AED/mo)Senior (AED/mo)
Software Engineer11,000 - 17,00017,000 - 28,00028,000 - 52,000
Data Scientist / ML Engineer13,000 - 19,00019,000 - 33,00033,000 - 58,000
DevOps / Cloud Engineer12,000 - 18,00018,000 - 30,00030,000 - 52,000
Product Manager13,000 - 21,00021,000 - 36,00036,000 - 62,000
Cybersecurity Engineer13,000 - 19,00019,000 - 33,00033,000 - 58,000
UX / Product Designer9,000 - 15,00015,000 - 26,00026,000 - 48,000
CTO / VP Engineeringβ€”38,000 - 62,00062,000 - 140,000+

Monthly, tax-free AED. Abu Dhabi rates. ADGM and twofour54 hubs. Browse UAE tech jobs β†’

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Finance & banking salaries β€” UAE 2025

RoleEntry-level (AED/mo)Manager (AED/mo)Director/MD (AED/mo)
Financial Analyst10,000 - 16,00016,000 - 28,000β€”
Finance Managerβ€”18,000 - 40,00040,000 - 75,000
CFOβ€”β€”55,000 - 130,000
Investment Banking Associate18,000 - 28,00028,000 - 60,00060,000 - 120,000+
Private Banking RM14,000 - 22,00022,000 - 50,00050,000 - 100,000+
Audit Manager (Big 4)β€”22,000 - 50,00050,000 - 90,000
Compliance Officer10,000 - 16,00016,000 - 35,00035,000 - 65,000

Monthly, tax-free AED. Investment banking bonuses excluded β€” these can add 50-150% at DIFC firms. Browse finance jobs β†’

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Engineering & construction salaries β€” UAE 2025

RoleMid-level (AED/mo)Senior (AED/mo)Director (AED/mo)
Civil Engineer10,000 - 18,00018,000 - 30,00030,000 - 50,000
Mechanical Engineer10,000 - 18,00018,000 - 30,00030,000 - 50,000
Project Manager (PMP)18,000 - 28,00028,000 - 50,00050,000 - 85,000
Quantity Surveyor (MRICS)14,000 - 22,00022,000 - 38,00038,000 - 65,000
Contracts Manager (FIDIC)18,000 - 28,00028,000 - 48,00048,000 - 80,000
HSE Manager14,000 - 22,00022,000 - 38,00038,000 - 60,000

Monthly, tax-free AED. Browse engineering jobs β†’ | Browse construction jobs β†’

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Healthcare salaries β€” UAE 2025

RoleEntry-level (AED/mo)Experienced (AED/mo)Senior/Lead (AED/mo)
Registered Nurse6,000 - 9,0009,000 - 13,00013,000 - 18,000
General Physician14,000 - 20,00020,000 - 32,00032,000 - 50,000
Specialist Consultantβ€”30,000 - 50,00050,000 - 90,000
Surgeonβ€”40,000 - 65,00065,000 - 120,000
Pharmacist7,000 - 10,00010,000 - 16,00016,000 - 25,000
Allied Health Professional6,000 - 10,00010,000 - 16,00016,000 - 24,000

Monthly, tax-free AED. Most UAE healthcare roles include accommodation, flights, and medical insurance. Browse healthcare jobs β†’

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UAE cost of living 2025

Understanding your purchasing power matters as much as the headline salary. Here are typical monthly costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

1-bed apartment (Dubai)
AED 6,000 - 12,000
Per month. Marina, JBR, Business Bay, Downtown
1-bed apartment (Abu Dhabi)
AED 4,500 - 9,000
Per month. Al Reem Island, Corniche, Khalidiyah
School fees (international)
AED 40,000 - 100,000
Per year. British and IB curriculum schools
Dining out (mid-range)
AED 80 - 200
Per person, per meal. Dubai restaurants
Grocery bill (monthly)
AED 1,500 - 3,000
Per household. Carrefour, Spinneys, LuLu
Car (mid-range)
AED 800 - 2,500
Per month lease. Petrol: ~AED 2.60/litre
Private health insurance
AED 3,000 - 8,000
Per year. Usually employer-provided
Visa / residency fees
AED 3,000 - 6,000
One-off, every 2-3 years. Usually employer-covered
UAE salary FAQ

Common questions about UAE salaries

Yes, completely. The UAE levies zero personal income tax. There is no payroll tax, no social security contribution (unlike in Saudi Arabia where there is a small pension contribution for Saudi nationals), and no capital gains tax. Every dirham you earn is yours to keep. The AED is pegged to the USD at 3.67, making salaries straightforward to compare internationally.
End-of-service gratuity (EOSG) is a statutory payment under UAE labour law. For the first 5 years of employment, you receive 21 calendar days' salary per year. After 5 years, you receive 30 calendar days' salary per year. On a 5-year stint earning AED 25,000/month, that's AED 87,500 tax-free on departure. Some employers calculate on a higher basis voluntarily.
Generally yes. Dubai's most desirable neighbourhoods (Marina, JBR, Downtown, DIFC, Palm Jumeirah) are significantly more expensive than equivalent Abu Dhabi locations. However, Abu Dhabi's outer areas are competitive. Dubai offers far more entertainment, dining, and nightlife options. Abu Dhabi is quieter and more residential. For families, Abu Dhabi often offers better value on schooling and accommodation combined.
Not always, but most professional-level roles include either free accommodation or a housing allowance (typically 20-30% of base salary). Senior roles at large employers often include furnished accommodation. It's a negotiable element β€” if you're offered a role without housing, you can often negotiate a housing allowance into the package, especially at director level and above.
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