What are the Minimum Wages in Dubai?

Many expats plan to live and work in Dubai because of the vast opportunities in terms of building your career. There is no set minimum or maximum salary for the job role that you are applying for so this can get a bit tricky in terms of applying for a position. If this is your first time to learn about what it is like working in this city, or in the country of the UAE, it is important that you are aware of the minimum wage system and understand certain salary expectations.

Dubai is one of the world’s most fascinating and fastest-growing cities, leading the way in all forms of innovation. In Dubai, bigger is better, and this is reflected in the architecture, its continuous developments, and business opportunities.

Dubai, on the other hand, is an expensive location to live in. If you’re thinking of moving to this fast-paced section of the UAE, you’ll need to find a way to support yourself. Because the UAE lacks a national minimum wage, there is a wide range of remuneration for different types of occupations in Dubai.

That said, finding a job in Dubai that pays well enough to cover your expenses is requisite. Continue reading to find out how wages are calculated and how much it costs to live in this vibrant city.

Contents

What You Need to Know about the Minimum Wages in Dubai
How are the wages determined in Dubai?
What is the Average Salary of an Employee in Dubai?
Wages Protection System in UAE
Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: Information posted here serves as a guide only and based on an expat’s experience living in the city for more than 10 years. Rules and policies may change without prior notice.

What You Need to Know about the Minimum Wages in Dubai

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country in the Middle East that does NOT have a minimum wage.

Despite the fact that the country does not have a national minimum wage, the UAE has some of the highest minimum rates in many industries. Similarly, the UAE has a Wage Protection System in place to ensure that UAE minimum wage employees are paid in full and on time. If you want to work in this highly developed Arab country, here are seven of the most in-demand entry-level positions in UAE in 2020, along with the expected pay (in Dirham) and responsibilities.

How are the wages determined in Dubai?

In most circumstances, employers are free to pay whatever compensation they deem appropriate for labor performed for them. This implies that there are exceptionally high-paying positions available in Dubai, particularly in booming fields such as technology and hospitality.

There are also incredibly low-wage positions – in 2012, a local news investigation discovered that manufacturing wages in the UAE were among the lowest in the world. When it comes to obtaining work, your best bet is to compare the income to the cost of living in Dubai and haggle with your potential employer accordingly.

Please Read these Helpful Salary in Dubai Articles:

What is the Average Salary of an Employee in Dubai?

As mentioned, there’s no prevailing national minimum wage in the UAE, hence, salaries can vary greatly from one industry to another. These are also affected by certain factors based on one’s qualifications, experience, and credentials. But to give you an idea on how much you may earn from working in a certain industry for a specific post, you may refer to the following sections. Take note that these figures listed below are on the maximum side.

Sales Executive (8,000 AED)

Many times, sales executives serve as the company’s face, as they are the ones who actively seek out consumers in order to create a long-term professional relationship with them. Excellent communication, marketing, and negotiation skills are required for this employment, which earns the minimum salary in Dubai 2020, and people in this position must always be on their toes due to the competitive nature of their profession. Be advised that there are also sales executives like retail sales executives who work in shopping malls who earn 5,000 AED or even as low as 1200 AED.

Manufacturing Engineer (11,000 AED)

A manufacturing engineer is a technical expert whose major responsibility is to increase productivity and assist a company in reducing operational expenses. Basic engineering process knowledge is required for this position that pays the UAE 2020 minimum salary, as is the ability to evaluate and make appropriate recommendations on quality control procedures in the manufacturing assembly line.

Human Resources Recruitment Specialist (12,000 AED)

A Human Resources Recruitment Specialist’s job entails the hiring and placement of personnel. Depending on the demands of the firm, the employment of a Human Resources Recruiting Specialist earning the UAE minimum salary can concentrate on one component of recruitment or the full hiring process. As a result, job tasks may include screening candidates, doing background checks, conducting job interviews, and even orienting new recruits.

Logistics Manager (15,000 AED)

Logistics managers are in charge of an organization’s supply chain process. Logistics Managers decide how an organization should purchase supplies and products and assure their fast and accurate delivery to the departments that require them, with the goal of effective management of the entire order cycle. As a position that pays the UAE’s minimum salary, the Logistics Manager is closely related to other departments and must know how to collaborate with them to guarantee logistical goals are reached.

Telecommunications Network Professionals (16,500 AED)

Telecommunications network experts manage the interconnection of computer and communication equipment and methods, as well as the installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of these systems. Aside from ensuring that the network hardware and software systems are all operating at peak efficiency, the technical professionals working in this profession for minimum wage in Dubai may also be asked to develop data, video, and communication systems for the firm.

PR Account Manager (18,000 AED)

The primary responsibility of the PR Account Manager is to affect public opinion in favor of his or her client. They are frequently in charge of maintaining a client’s whole portfolio as well as devising successful strategies to advertise and promote them to their target consumers. Applicants for 2020 PR Account Manager must be proficient in the use of numerous PR tools such as press releases, advertorials, social media, newsletters, and more. They must also be able to quickly and smoothly organize events, speaking engagements, and press conferences.

Investment Associate (25,000 AED)

An investment associate is an entry-level employment, however, it is in the financial industry, thus the starting income is significantly higher than many other entry-level occupations available in 2020. Investment associates are responsible for utilizing their financial knowledge to examine asset selection and management techniques in order to ensure that an individual or organization can make sound investment decisions at all times. They may also conduct financial feasibility studies to determine the most prudent investment outcomes. A four-year college degree in a business subject is required, and advanced degrees in finance and accounting will offer applicants an advantage.

Wages Protection System in UAE

A Wages Protection System (WPS) is an electronic system and type of payroll administration that enables companies to pay their employees through a variety of channels, including banks, money exchanges, and financial institutions.

Also Read: “Not Paying Salary on Time” Illegal: Up to 50K AED Fine for Employer

The Central Bank of the UAE implemented the system, which is a type of legislation that protects employees and secures their monthly wages. It enables the Ministry of Labour to develop a database that can track the right and timely payment of wages.

The WPS benefits both employees and employers: the former receive guaranteed pay protection, which fosters greater trust and confidence. At the same time, the latter can ensure that their payroll runs smoothly and avoid any disputes or employee unhappiness that may develop as a result of late payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about salary opportunities as an expat in Dubai. Please be guided with these questions:

1. Are there any minimums for wages in Dubai?

The UAE Ministry of Labour established three guidelines on minimum wages for various sorts of workers in 2013. These differ from minimum wages in that they do not apply to all full-time employees in the country, but solely to those who meet specified qualifications. The rules are as follows:

University graduates should receive a minimum monthly salary of 12,000 AED ($3267.12 US).
Skilled technicians should receive a minimum monthly salary of 7,000 AED ($1905.82 US).
Skilled labourers should receive a minimum monthly salary of 5,000 AED ($1361.30 US), as long as they have a secondary school certificate.

The creation of labor unions is outlawed in the UAE, leaving employees with little options for exercising any control over their wages.

2. What’s the minimum per month you need to make to qualify for national healthcare or health insurance?

The UAE features a public-private healthcare system that is a hybrid of the two. All businesses are required to provide their employees with health insurance that provides a basic level of care that is regulated by the Ministry of Health, which gives a health care card to every employed resident of the country, entitling them to free care at public facilities. Anyone in the UAE, regardless of insurance status, can access emergency medical care through the public healthcare system.

However, there is a widespread belief that public healthcare is of poorer quality than that found in Dubai’s private facilities, where public health insurance is not accepted. As a result, private health insurance is becoming more widespread, with prices varying based on the provider and degree of coverage.

3. What’s the living wage in Dubai? How much can you really get by on?

This is an extremely crucial aspect. Overall, the cost of living in Dubai is quite expensive. A one-bedroom flat in the city center costs more than 7,000 AED a month, which is more than the total minimum monthly wage of two of the Ministry of Labour’s tiers of educated, skilled professionals. A single person should expect to spend an additional AED 3,190 per month on living expenditures other than rent.

Now for the good news: In several industries, average incomes in Dubai are significantly higher than in other parts of the world, and far exceed the minimum wage required to make a life in the city. Salaries for mobile developers and project managers, in particular, are exorbitant. Making a living in administrative and entry-level positions, on the other hand, maybe far more challenging.

So there you have it. It’s no secret that the cost of living here in Dubai is quite high, but so is the pay in most industries. Also, the country’s WPS ensures that both employees and their employers are protected in terms of wages based on what is sanctioned by the law. But, if you land positions that are in high demand in this country, expect to hit the jackpot, since the pay here is much higher than in most parts of the world. Also do not forget the cost of living that’s suited to how much you earn and you’ll be alright, if not thrive here in Dubai.