02 September, 2006

Typical Dubai Salaries

One of the most common questions we get asked concern the salaries in Dubai, and what is a typical salary. This is a very difficult question to answer, because employers differ in their approaches to salary, even within industry. What I have done however, is put together some salaries in a spreadsheet, available for download. Take them with a pinch of salt, and bear in mind the explanatory notes on the page. The salaries qoted are only intended to help those looking at benchmarks of what can be expected, and as advertised in the press. Also, if you want to anonymously add your salary to help others, please do so on the contact page. You don't have to leave your name.

Typical Dubai Salaries on Grapeshisha

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those salaries are way off reality. The salaries you have on that list are quite the optimistic ones. PA to CEO, 16,000dhs? Yeah, I don't think so. I am sure some bring in such amounts, but I doubt this is the norm. I don't care if this is a conglomorate or not.

I also think it would be nice to have an 'ethnicity' adjusting factor, since it does in fact have an impact.

grapeshisha said...

As I mentioned, you need to take the salaries with a pinch of salt. All I am doing is transcribing salaries that are advertised and I know of specifically. And, by the way, the PA role is an actual role. And fine, some roles need to be dumbed down, but in some cases the salaries need to pegged upward a fair deal. I was just providing actual data for people who don't have access to it.

I do have a lot more data, but I can not share it.

Anonymous said...

Oh don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the effort you are putting into this.

However, I wouldn't advise you to place such figures up and then tell people to 'take the salaries with a pinch of salt'. It's too late for that.

When you did the same for rent, it was reasonable, because it did stay within the boundaries of reality and what is actually happening on the ground. I could safely recommend to people wanting to move to Dubai to use that data as an 'indication'.

However, when it comes to salaries and your current data, I would advise you to hold on to them and only put them out in public when you have some actual decent data. What you have is just a random collection of arbitrary positions and their compensations.

PA's are actual roles, no doubt. It is also a role that often results in crying during and after the day is over. Is it worth 16,000? Maybe. Do PA's in Dubai make this number on average? Absolutely not. What influences this figure? Well, we all know that it is a combination of experience, luck and ethnicity.

With that being said, is it possible for you to take all this into account?

I really wish others would participate in this to help make the data a good resource. Unfortunately I can't since I am now freelancing and doing project-based contract. I can tell you though, that I made Dhs. 6,000/- (all-inclusive) as a 'technical consultant', 3 years ago. Needless to say that I am Arab and American educated. It was a UK-based company.

So how do I feel about the PA who makes 16,000? More power to her/him! Just invite me for drinks sometimes :)

Anonymous said...

if u get 20,000 dirhams .. u can just survive with ur family .. Less than that, DONT THINK OF GOING there .. this is year 2006 , dunno what is gonna happen next year ..
i am a IT guy who has 4-5 years of experiance , and i would only leave my job if i get 20K in UAE ..

By the way i am 28
Manu

Anonymous said...

Hey Manu and ALL
Thanks for the realistic picture for IT profressionals

Just a thing to ask again ...

What would be a typical Salary for a software developer with 4 years of experience working with a Top MNC in Dubai ....

Rosa said...

Hi people,

I'm thinking about going on internship in Dubai and of course I'm wondering how much money one student monthly needs to live in Dubai?
That include place to live (with somebody else to be cheaper), food, transportation and all others things that are usualy in every day life :)

Please, let me know ;)

Thank you very much

Ruzica
Croatia

Unknown said...

Am wondering about roughly how much an Aircraft Maint. Engineer might make. Emirates is hiring and might apply.

Thanks,
Brian

yogi said...

hi all
i have done Msc information technology, management and organizational change from lancaster university. i have been offered a job as IT coordinator in one of the largest retail comanies in uae. i have not been yet told about salary stuf. would u pls like to let me know about the salary that i could get.
i do not have any work experience.

ur help would be appreciated.

Anonymous said...

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http://indiaspecial.net/gyaan/the-life-of-an-indian-in-uae-a-practical-view

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