Overview
- Only 49% of UAE professionals attempted to negotiate pay in the past year and 15% succeeded, a sharp drop from 64% and 24% in 2024 as an influx of international jobseekers increases competition.
- Salaries are rising across most sectors, with the biggest gains in digital and leadership positions, even as employers report tougher recruitment and retention conditions.
- Demand for AI and data skills is intensifying, with roles such as AI engineers, AI product managers and data engineers in focus, while advanced capabilities remain scarce and companies invest in upskilling.
- Economic indicators point to continued non‑oil expansion, with the IMF projecting about 4.8% UAE GDP growth in 2025 and 5% in 2026 and S&P Global reporting the fastest non‑oil private‑sector hiring increase since May.
- Michael Page’s 2026 UAE Salary Guide covers more than 500 roles, adds an interactive salary benchmarking tool, and is paired with an Emiratisation Salary Guide 2025 to help firms meet national hiring targets.