Average Salary for Indians in the UAE in 2026: Salaries by City, Experience & Sectors
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Table of Contents
- Average Salary for Indians in the UAE in 2026
- Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Location
- Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Occupation
- Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Education
- Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Experience
- What is the Minimum Wage in the UAE in 2026?
- What are the Employee Benefits in the UAE?
- What are the Top Growing Industries in the UAE?
- Build Your Career in the UAE With GetGIS Assistance
If you are an Indian professional aspiring to explore opportunities in the United Arab Emirates, understanding the average salary for Indians in the UAE is highly crucial. Currently, the average annual salary in the UAE can range anywhere between AED 13,800 and AED 25,000.
The factors that influence your pay, and more specifically, for expats considering relocation or a career move to Dubai or the UAE. Let us now explore what you can expect to earn in the UAE in detail.
Average Salary for Indians in the UAE in 2026
The average monthly salary for Indians in the UAE ranges from AED 13,800 to AED 25,000 based on your experience, job role, location, level of Education, etc. While cities like Dubai generally offer higher salaries in professional roles connected to sectors like IT, engineering, management, and finance, the cost of living in Dubai for Indians, especially the housing and lifestyle expenses, is also considered premium compared to other regions in the UAE.
Also Read:
Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Location
The UAE is the part of the Gulf countries, which consists of six countries other than the UAE in the Middle East. The GDP of Dubai is just second to Saudi Arabia, which makes it even more competitive for aspiring working professionals. The average salaries for Indians in the UAE based on location are as follows:
|
Location |
Monthly Average Salary (AED) |
|
Dubai |
21,500 |
|
Abu Dhabi |
21,000 |
|
Sharjah |
20,400 |
|
AL Ain |
19,800 |
|
Ajuman |
19,300 |
|
Fujairah |
18,100 |
Also Read: Top In-Demand Jobs in Dubai in 2025: Skills & Average Salaries
Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Occupation
The average monthly salary in the UAE varies based on occupation, industry, and experience, with top management, finance, technology, and healthcare job roles earning the highest wages. The monthly salaries of the top 25 jobs in the UAE are as follows:
|
Occupation |
Monthly Salary (AED) |
|
CEO |
25,000–91,000 |
|
IT Director |
21,000–85,000 |
|
Leasing Director |
20,000–82,000 |
|
Country Manager/Director |
18,000–75,000 |
|
Plant Manager |
19,000–74,000 |
|
Pilot |
17,500–73,500 |
|
IT Architect |
20,000–70,000 |
|
Lead Developer |
21,000–60,000 |
|
Investment Analyst |
30,000–60,000 |
|
IC Design Engineer |
16,000–59,000 |
|
Data Scientist |
20,000–50,000 |
|
CFO |
40,000–70,000 |
|
Surgeons |
25,000–50,000 |
|
Specialists (Medical) |
20,000–45,000 |
|
Project Manager (Construction) |
15,000–40,000 |
|
Engineers (Civil, Electrical) |
15,000–40,000 |
|
Real Estate Manager |
18,000–38,000 |
|
Hotel Manager |
15,000–25,000 |
|
Executive Chef |
12,000–20,000 |
|
Marketing Director |
20,000–38,000 |
|
HR Director |
18,000–32,000 |
|
Technology Manager |
25,000–50,000 |
|
Oil & Gas Manager |
30,000–50,000 |
|
Healthcare Operations Manager |
20,000–35,000 |
|
Telecom Director |
20,000–55,000 |
Also Read: In-Demand Jobs in UAE and the Benefits of Working in the Emirates
Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Education
Level of education is yet another crucial factor that influences your earning potential in the UAE. The average salaries for Indians in the UAE based on education is as follows:
|
Level of Education |
Rate of increase in Average Salary |
|
Diploma Degree |
17% more than a high school employee |
|
Bachelor Degree |
24% more than employees having a diploma degree |
|
Master Degree |
29% more than professionals having a bachelor’s degree |
|
Doctoral Degree |
23% more than professionals having a master’s degree |
Also Read: Benefits of UAE Golden Visa Beyond 10-Year Residency in 2026
Average Salaries in the UAE Based on Experience
Average salaries for Indians in the UAE are also greatly influenced by your level of experience. The overview of the minimum salary in Dubai, compared to the experience levels of a candidate, is listed as follows:
|
Years of Experience |
Rate of increase in Average Salary |
|
2-5 Years |
32% more than a fresher employee |
|
5-10 Years |
36% more than employees having less than 5 years of experience |
|
10-15 Years |
21% more than professionals having less than 10 years of experience |
|
15-20 Years |
14% more than professionals having less than 15 years of experience |
|
20+ Years |
9% more than professionals having experience of 15-20 years |
What is the Minimum Wage in the UAE in 2026?
There is no mandatory minimum wage in the UAE. However, the Labor Law in Dubai mandates that employers must compensate employees fairly, offering generous salaries to cover their basic needs. Not just that, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) provides guidelines for minimum wages for specific employee categories as follows
|
Occupation |
Monthly Minimum Salary (AED) |
|
University Graduate |
12,000 |
|
Skilled Labourers |
5,000 |
|
Skilled Technicians |
7,000 |
Also Read: How to Settle in Dubai (2025)? Step-by-Step Guide for Working Professionals
What are the Employee Benefits in the UAE?
The UAE specifies a few mandatory employee benefits that companies must offer to their staff. In Dubai, employees are entitled to a large range of perks and protections that enhance their work experience and financial security. The key employee benefits in Dubai for Indians include
- Paid annual Leave: 21 days of paid annual leave during the first year of employment is granted, which will increase to 30 days after completing one year.
- Return Air ticket: Employers are generally required to provide a return flight ticket when the employment contract ends
- Health Insurance: It is compulsory for employees and is provided once the probation is completed
- End of Service Gratuity: Employees are entitled to receive gratuity payments after finishing the minimum qualifying period
- Sick Leave: Up to 90 days of sick leave per year is granted in the UAE, with salary paid in full or partially, depending on the duration of the leave
- Maternity Leave: Female employees in the UAE are entitled to 45 days of fully paid maternity leave.
- Public Holidays: These are paid holidays that are listed as declared by the UAE government.
- Overtime Compensation: Employees receive extra pay for working beyond their working hours.
- Working hours in UAE: The standard working hours in the UAE are only up to 8 hours per day, or 48 hours per week
- Paternity Leave: Many employers in the UAE offer paternity leave, which is typically around 3 to 5 days
- End-of-service Benefits: Some companies also provide additional severance bonuses as part of end-of-service benefits.
- Annual Travel Allowance: Certain employers offer travel allowances during annual leave
What are the Top Growing Industries in the UAE?
The top growing industries in the UAE in 2025 reflect both traditional economic strengths and emerging sectors fueled by technology and innovation. The leading industries driving growth and economic momentum in the UAE include:
- Oil and Gas
- Wholesale and Retail Trade
- Manufacturing
- Real Estate and Construction
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Logistics and Transport
- Financial Services and Fintech
- Healthcare
- E-commerce and Digital Economy
- Creative and Technology Startups
Build Your Career in the UAE With GetGIS Assistance
The UAE remains one of the most attractive global destinations for Indian professionals, offering tax-free income, world-class infrastructure, and abundant opportunities across various sectors and industries.
To streamline your UAE job search and immigration journey, consider reaching out to GetGIS. Our team offers comprehensive support with your UAE job seeker visa application, interview preparation, job search guidance, and more to help you step confidently into your new career and life in the UAE
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