Key Facts: United Arab Emirates Wages
- Country
- United Arab Emirates (ARE)
- Continent
- Asia
- Currency
- UAE Dirham (AED)
- Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- AED16,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- AED192,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- AED120,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE); UAE has no universal statutory minimum wage — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 empowers Cabinet to set one but none has been enacted
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
United Arab Emirates — Average Salary & Wages
UAE Dirham (AED) Data verified Jan 2021 Sources
The average salary in United Arab Emirates is
AED192,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than AED120,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
United Arab Emirates does not have a statutory minimum wage. The average gross monthly salary is AED16,000 ($4,356.71 USD). The median monthly income is AED10,000 ($2,722.94 USD).
Reliable median data difficult to obtain. Enormous disparity between Emirati nationals (10-15% of population) and expatriates (85-90%). Median for expatriates is considerably lower than the overall average.
Average across all sectors. The UAE has no personal income tax (introduced corporate tax of 9% in 2023 but no income tax for individuals), so gross equals net for salary purposes. Highly segmented labor market: Emirati nationals earn significantly more on average (~AED 30,000+/mo in government), while expatriate workers from South/Southeast Asia in construction and services may earn AED 1,500-3,000/mo.
• SECTOR RATES
Emiratis (private sector, Nafis program)
AED12,000 /mo
Since 2022-01-01
Minimum salary support threshold for Emirati nationals under the Nafis Emiratisation program.
Minimum Wage Trend
Compare United Arab Emirates with other countriesWork Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Government sector moved to a 4.5-day week (Mon-Fri noon) in January 2022. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours/day. Overtime premium: 25% for normal overtime, 50% for overtime between 9pm-4am. Maximum 2 hours overtime per day. Friday is the weekly rest day (or as per contract).
How United Arab Emirates Compares
| Metric | United Arab Emirates | Asia Avg. | Asia Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $4,356.71/mo | $1,185.31/mo | $4,472.55/mo (Singapore) |
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Bhutan Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for United Arab Emirates on our sister site.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates does not have a statutory minimum wage. The UAE has no single statutory minimum wage applicable to all workers. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations states that the Cabinet may set a minimum wage but none has been universally enacted. In practice, minimum salary thresholds exist for visa/sponsorship purposes and vary by emirate and worker category: skilled workers generally need a minimum of AED 4,000-5,000/mo for family sponsorship visas. University graduates may have higher minimums. For UAE nationals (Emiratis) in the private sector, minimum salaries are set under Emiratisation policies (Nafis program) at AED 12,000-13,000/mo for entry-level positions. The vast majority of private sector workers are expatriates whose wages are governed by employment contracts.
What is the average salary in United Arab Emirates?
The average gross monthly salary in United Arab Emirates is AED16,000 (approximately $4,356.71 USD). Average across all sectors. The UAE has no personal income tax (introduced corporate tax of 9% in 2023 but no income tax for individuals), so gross equals net for salary purposes. Highly segmented labor market: Emirati nationals earn significantly more on average (~AED 30,000+/mo in government), while expatriate workers from South/Southeast Asia in construction and services may earn AED 1,500-3,000/mo. Source: Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in United Arab Emirates?
The standard work week in United Arab Emirates is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.25x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Government sector moved to a 4.5-day week (Mon-Fri noon) in January 2022. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours/day. Overtime premium: 25% for normal overtime, 50% for overtime between 9pm-4am. Maximum 2 hours overtime per day. Friday is the weekly rest day (or as per contract).
What is the average salary in United Arab Emirates in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in United Arab Emirates is approximately $4,356.71 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
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