Dubai raises minimum wage: What the UAE’s new wage rule means for workers and employers
Dubai and the wider UAE are pushing a major shift in private sector compensation norms with a new minimum wage policy for Emirati workers as part of broader efforts to strengthen labour standards and promote Emiratisation.
Although the UAE historically did not have a universal minimum wage, recent regulatory changes have introduced a formal basis for Emirati citizens employed in the private sector.
Employers, economists, and migrant workers are closely monitoring this move.
As of January 01, 2026, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has mandated that Emirati employees in the private sector must receive a salary of at least AED 6,000 per month, up from the previous requirement of AED 5,000.
This salary limit applies to all new, renewed and amended work permits for Emirati citizens and companies must adjust the salaries of currently employed Emiratis to meet this limit by June 30.
2026. Companies failing to comply will face potential penalties from July 01, 2026, including exclusion from emirate quotas and suspension of new work permits.
underscoring the government’s commitment to implementing the policy. Although this new minimum wage only applies to UAE nationals, not expatriate workers,
It marks an important policy development in a labour market that has long been characterised by the absence of a legally binding wage level for foreign workers.
Traditionally, pay levels for non-citizens vary widely across sectors, ranging from skilled professionals earning above the market average to low-paid labor roles with no statutory minimums.
reflecting the UAE’s free-market approach to compensation. Federal law requires that wages be sufficient to meet basic living needs, but until now there has been no minimum wage enforced nationwide.
Minimum Wage Guidelines in Dubai/UAE
There is no universal statutory minimum wage in all sectors in the UAE. However, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued salary guidelines for specific categories of employees, which many employers use as benchmarks.
- University graduates are recommended to earn a minimum monthly salary of AED 12,000.
- skilled technician The recommended minimum salary for, for example, diploma holders with professional training is AED 7,000 per month.
- For skilled labourers, it is advisable to earn at least AED 5,000 per month if they hold a secondary school certificate.
- Emirati Citizens (Private Sector): From 1 January 2026, the UAE government has set the minimum wage for Emirati citizens working in the private sector at AED 6,000 per month, up from AED 5,000 previously. This applies to all Emiratis with a new, renewed or amended work permit – employers cannot process work permit applications with salaries below AED 6,000. Employers will have to adjust the salaries of existing Emirati employees to AED 6,000 by 30 June 2026. After that date, penalties include excluding the employee from the emirate quota and suspending new work permits for non-compliant firms.
- Migrant Workers: There is no formal minimum wage for migrant workers in Dubai or the UAE; compensation levels vary widely by industry, skill level, and contract terms, even though pay should generally be enough to meet basic employee needs according to labour law.
Previous guideline-style minimum wage recommendations (e.g., AED 5,000–12,000 for graduates or technicians) mentioned in some 2025 reports were only recommendations and not a legal minimum.
The new AED 6,000 minimum wage for Emiratis is part of the UAE’s broader Emiratisation strategy to promote citizen participation in the private workforce and ensure competitive, fair compensation.
These figures do not represent legally enforceable minimum wages but are widely used as industry standards and visa/salary benchmarks for certain roles in Dubai/UAE.
The UAE’s current labour framework (until 2025) does not include any binding minimum wage law, although MoHRE has the authority to set one in the future.
Average Monthly Salary in Dubai, UAE, by Industry (2025-26) (Typical Monthly Range)
| Sector/Industry | Average Monthly Salary (AED) | About: Monthly Salary (USD) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology (IT) | 12,000-45,000 | $3,270-$12,260 | Cloud, AI and data roles command a premium |
| Banking & Finance | 15,000-65,000 | $4,090-$17,710 | Top-level senior finance roles |
| Healthcare | 8,000-60,000 | $2,180-$16,350 | specialist and surgeon highest |
| oil and energy | 18,000-70,000 | $4,900-$19,070 | Technical and engineering roles get paid more |
| construction engineering | 10,000-50,000 | $2,725-$13,620 | project manager at upper band |
| Retail & Hospitality | 4,000-15,000 | $1,090-$4,090 | Wide variation according to brand/role |
| marketing Advertising | 5,500-25,000 | $1,500-$6,810 | creative vs leadership difference |
| Logistics and Transportation | 9,000-30,000 | $2,450-$8,170 | demand-driven sector |
Career Stage/Experience Level Salary in Dubai, UAE
| experience level | Typical Monthly Salary (AED) | About: Monthly Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level / Freshers | 8,000-12,000 | $2,180-$3,270 |
| mid-level professional | 15,000-25,000 | $4,090-$6,810 |
| senior roles | 28,000-45,000 | $7,630-$12,260 |
| executive director | 50,000-120,000 | $13,620-$32,700 |
Average monthly salary in UAE cities
| City/Emirate | Average Monthly Salary (AED) | About: Monthly Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | ~21,000 | ~$5,720 |
| Dubai | 15,700-21,500 | $4,280-$5,860 |
| Sharjah/Ajman | 19,000–20,400 | $5,180-$5,560 |
- Typical entry-level roles Salaries often start around AED 8,000-12,000/month (typically $2,180-$3,270/month), although some lower-skilled roles can be AED 3,000-6,000+, especially in retail, service, or construction (about $820-$1,635).
- experienced professional Those in high-growth sectors like tech, finance, and healthcare typically earn AED 20,000-50,000+ per month (typically $5,450-$13,620+ per month).
- Top officials and experts Those in leadership or specialised fields can earn upwards of AED 60,000-100,000+ (earning $16,350-$27,250+, with some leadership roles exceeding $32,700/month).
Economists and human resources experts say the policy supports the UAE’s Emiratisation strategy.
which aims to increase citizen participation in private sector employment while ensuring competitive, fair compensation.
Employers are now facing both administrative and cultural changes as they adjust payroll systems, modify contracts and align hiring policies with updated labour standards.
As the UAE modernises its labour laws, other reforms—including a potentially broader minimum wage framework—remain part of the ongoing discussion among policymakers, workers, and business leaders.
