Two of the biggest questions many employees ask themselves at the beginning of a new year are: how much can I expect to earn this year and will I get a pay rise?
This year is no different, particularly as the jobs market in the UAE continues to rally on the back of strong market confidence, a boost in foreign direct investment and companies accelerating hiring plans to attract the best talent, recruitment specialists say.
“On a broader level, the UAE’s jobs market has enjoyed its strongest year in a decade, with higher-than-anticipated demand across the public and private sectors,” Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of Cooper Fitch, says in the recruitment consultancy’s 2023 UAE salary guide.
Watch: Some of the stats behind the UAE's hiring boom
“This activity has been fuelled in no small part by the healthy position in which the nation’s government finds itself, as well as its success in incentivising local and international funding for large projects.”
The UAE jobs market has made a strong recovery from the coronavirus-induced slowdown, boosted by the government’s fiscal and monetary measures.
The UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy, has undertaken a number of economic, legal and social reforms to strengthen its business environment, increase foreign direct investment, attract skilled workers with new visas and provide incentives to companies to set up or expand their operations.
It has also introduced an unemployment insurance programme, which came into effect on January 1.
As the demand for talent in the UAE continues to accelerate, we look at the salary and employment outlook for jobseekers for the remainder of 2023. Read on to find out and check out our guides above for a detailed look at salaries in your industry.
Will salaries increase in 2023?
The outlook for salary increases for employees in the UAE this year is positive, with recruitment experts forecasting an average rise of between 2 per cent and 5 per cent.
However, this depends on an employee's role and sector.
Employees in the financial services and legal sectors can expect the highest salary increases in 2023, with an average rise of 5 per cent and 4.9 per cent, respectively, recruitment consultancy Robert Half says in its 2023 UAE salary report.
This is followed by the technology industry, which is expected to record an average 3 per cent salary increase, while finance and accounting professionals will receive a 2.5 per cent wage rise and the HR sector a 2 per cent increase, it adds.
Meanwhile, a survey by jobs portal Bayt.com and market research agency YouGov this month found that 53 per cent of employees in the UAE expect to receive a salary increase this year.
About 70 per cent of employees in the Emirates believe their salaries will either increase or stay the same in 2023, according to the poll, which surveyed 2,941 people from countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan, from November 16 to 28.
An increase in opportunities, economic growth, intense competition in attracting and retaining talent and good corporate performance or improved profitability were some of the reasons cited for the expected rise in salaries, the poll found.
“Based on market confidence and therefore more aggressive growth and diversification plans, organisations shifted up a gear and their appetite to invest in attracting top talent increased significantly,” Jon Ede, regional director of Michael Page UAE, says in the company’s 2023 UAE Salary Guide and Hiring Insights report.
“We have also seen a significant return to foreign investments with businesses looking to expand their international footprint into the UAE.”
Are companies planning to pay annual bonuses in 2023?
It’s good news for many employees hoping to receive a bonus in 2023, with almost 75 per cent of business leaders who responded to the Cooper Fitch salary guide survey saying they plan to reward staff for their hard work over the past 12 months.
However, 26 per cent of respondents will not be paying an annual bonus, the majority of which represented the logistics and supply chain sector.
Thirty-six per cent of respondents to the survey say they expect to pay a bonus equal to one month’s gross salary, while 20 per cent plan to pay two months’ gross salary.
Meanwhile, 10 per cent of respondents will pay staff a bonus of up to three months’ salary, 3 per cent will pay four months and 1 per cent will reward employees with a five-month bonus.
“Employees working for 4 per cent of the companies surveyed this year can look forward to annual bonuses amounting to a generous six months’ gross salary,” Cooper Fitch says in the report.
“The sectors represented in this category include banking, financial services, investment management and consulting.”
Top 15 companies to work for in the UAE, according to LinkedIn — in pictures
What benefits can jobseekers expect in 2023?
A competitive benefits package is essential to attract the best talent, according to recruitment experts.
Some companies are thinking outside of the box and offering employees extra bonuses or one-off stipends to help ease a rise in the cost of living as well as enhance employee loyalty and encourage them to stay with the business, recruitment consultancy Robert Half says in its 2023 salary guide.
“Others are making longer-term adjustments to allowances for health care and housing — costs that are, and will likely continue to be, increasing and putting strain on employees’ personal finances,” Gareth El Mettouri, associate director for the Middle East at Robert Page, says in the report.
“To make it possible to offer these increases to employees, business leaders are having to make cuts elsewhere,” Mr El Mettouri adds.
“Many are looking to reduce overheads, and family allowances are one of the casualties. More organisations are offering single-status benefits rather than family benefits, which reduces the costs associated with education and health care.”
Learning to embrace a hybrid work model proves to be key in attracting and safeguarding employees
Michael Page,
2023 Salary Guides and Hiring Insights
In today’s knowledge economy, employees and jobseekers are focused on acquiring new skills to succeed in their careers, Michael Page says in its salary guide.
Training and career development are among the most wanted employment benefits, followed by private health care for employees and their families, it adds.
“Other benefits that make a difference include financial advantages, life insurance and company-issued tech devices,” the Michael Page report says.
Flexible working — a legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic — remains a top priority for employees in 2023, with the most popular arrangement for workers being three days in the office and two days at home.
“Learning to embrace a hybrid work model proves to be key in attracting and safeguarding employees,” Michael Page says.
What are the most in-demand jobs in the UAE in 2023?
The UAE’s economy is growing rapidly, driven by “impressive recovery rates” of key segments that underpin it, Mr Murphy of Cooper Fitch says.
“Our team sees 2023 as a year in which this momentum will continue to build,” he says.
“The consulting sector, for example, has established itself as a high economic performer for the UAE, and Dubai remains the GCC hub for this market.”
Consultants specialising in tax, law, strategy and technology are likely to be in high demand in 2023, Mr Murphy says.
In the banking and financial services sector, there is also growing demand for venture capital professionals, employees with start-up portfolio experience and compliance experts, according to the Michael Page salary guide.
“Compliance remains one of the key in-demand skill sets across the region, driven by sustained high volumes of newly established entities across the DIFC and ADGM, as well as the constant evolution of compliance frameworks, controls and processes,” the report says.
Other in-demand roles include nurses, doctors and medical scientists, driven by the UAE’s growing focus on biotechnology, digital health care and research and innovation, according to Michael Page.
“Their aim is to develop the smart healthcare sector and drive it to become the world’s international destination for health innovation,” it says.
HR professionals are also in demand as the jobs market continues to accelerate in the UAE, with companies seeking specialists who can help to set up policies and processes as well as drive recruitment campaigns.
Meanwhile, the technology sector will also dominate hiring in the UAE this year, as companies continue their post-coronavirus pandemic digital transformations, LinkedIn said last week.
Employers are seeking advanced skills such as programming languages and cyber security in response to a growing emphasis on data and automation in the region, according to data compiled by the world’s largest professional network.
What are the highest paid jobs in the UAE in 2023?
- Banking: head of consumer banking — Dh95,000-Dh200,000 (per month)
- Legal: partner (5+ years) — Dh105,000-Dh231,000
- Public sector: undersecretary — Dh131,800-Dh183,000
- Strategy: chief strategy officer — Dh92,000-Dh131,000
- Senior finance: group chief financial officer — Dh102,000-Dh153,000
- Sales and marketing: chief marketing officer — Dh70,000-Dh120,000
- Manufacturing: managing director — Dh99,000-Dh136,000
- Supply chain: general manager — Dh61,000-Dh95,000
- Investment management: chief investment officer — Dh84,000-Dh158,000+
- Technology: chief digital officer — Dh95,000-Dh126,000
- Human resources: chief shared services officer — Dh104,000-Dh147,000
- Accounting and finance: chief financial officer — Dh75,000-Dh170,000
- Property and construction: general manager — Dh65,000-Dh100,000; executive director of sales Dh78,000-Dh115,000
- Secretarial and office support: personal assistant — Dh20,000-35,000
Sources: Cooper Fitch and Michael Page
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Napoleon
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 24
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Suad%20Amiry%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pantheon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20304%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
