Whether you are negotiating a new offer, planning your next move or simply trying to understand where the market stands, salary expectations in 2026 are more complex than they appear. Rising living costs have not translated into uniform pay rises, and differences between industries are widening.

Using data from Michael Page’s UAE Salary Guide 2026, we break down starting salaries, industry trends and long-term shifts to help you understand what professionals across the Emirates can realistically expect to earn this year.

Starting salary ranges

There are more than 500 recorded jobs in Michael Page's UAE salary guide 2026. More than 60 per cent have a monthly wage between Dh10,000 ($2,720) and Dh40,000, with technology, digital, and finance and accounting comprising a third of those jobs. At the other end of the spectrum, the 10 per cent highest salaries start at Dh70,000 or more – with banking and financial services accounting for a third of those.

Average salaries

Across all industries, salaries range from Dh7,000 for a Sales Associate in Retail to Dh130,000 for a Managing Director in Banking and financial services.

Banking and financial services offers the highest average salary at Dh53,020, while secretarial and office support sits at the lower end of the scale, with an average of Dh16,550.

These averages mask wide variation within industries, particularly in sectors where pay can scale quickly with seniority and specialisation.

How much should I ask for?

The gap between starting and maximum salaries varies significantly by industry. Consultancy stands out as the sector with the greatest potential for salary growth, with some roles scaling to more than double the starting pay. Banking and financial services, and legal roles also show wide ranges, reflecting performance-based progression and seniority premiums.

In contrast, sectors such as retail and secretarial and office support tend to have narrower salary bands, offering less scope for rapid pay increases.

AI-related jobs

Interest in AI-related roles began to accelerate around 2012, when “data scientist” emerged as a highly attractive career path. More than a decade later, the market has evolved and that single title has fragmented into a range of more specialised roles.

In Michael Page’s UAE Salary Guide 2022, only three AI-related roles were listed, with salaries ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh45,000.

By 2026, that number has increased to eight roles, with salaries at Dh25,000 and top salaries reaching Dh75,000.

What stands out is that these roles are increasingly domain-specific, spanning product management and generative artificial intelligence, rather than being limited to pure technical or data science positions.

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