The starting salaries for professional services roles in the UAE have decreased by an average of 0.7 per cent in 2024 as an influx of talent and more competition has created a surplus, according to recruitment consultancy Robert Half.
Finance and accounting roles took the biggest hit, with starting salaries down by an average of 2.1 per cent. Salaries for some accounting roles were down by 23 per cent, Robert Half said in its 2025 UAE Salary Guide.
The report analysed starting salaries across more than 100 professional services roles within the finance and accounting, financial services, technology, HR and legal sectors.
While those with accounting skills are still in demand – particularly those with financial planning and tax experience – the immediate availability of expats in the UAE is driving down their market value, the study found.
Starting salaries in admin, human resources and business support roles have decreased by 1.2 per cent, followed by IT and technology at 0.1 per cent.
In contrast, starting salaries for in-house legal roles have increased by 1.6 per cent as demand for mid-level legal counsel surges. Demand is being driven by many privately owned businesses considering an initial public offering and who require legal support, the research revealed.
Professionals in financial services experienced an average salary increase of 0.2 per cent this year.
“Although the influx of expats has made it easier and cheaper for businesses to hire, leaders should be mindful of the impact this could have on their existing employees,” Gareth El Mettouri, director – Middle East at Robert Half, said.
“Unable to secure pay rises in both their existing roles or new roles, many employees feel trapped, which impacts job satisfaction and productivity. If employers do not take steps to look after their best talent, they will move on as soon as the market shifts.”
Employers may struggle to find employees with the right skillsets, especially if they require Arabic speakers or those with previous UAE experience, he said. To attract those already living and working in the country, remuneration will need to be competitive, Mr El Mettouri added.
The UAE jobs market has recovered well from the Covid-19 pandemic thanks largely to fiscal and social measures taken by the government to attract skilled workers with new visas, and incentives for companies to set up or expand their operations. It has also introduced an unemployment insurance programme, which came into effect in 2023.
A February report by global HR platform Deel found that the UAE is the world's most popular country for international talent seeking employment visas.
According to the Robert Half report, following the introduction of corporate tax in June 2023, companies that were previously outsourcing their tax affairs are now looking to bring them in-house, which is driving demand for financial reporting and technical accounting roles, the data found.
In IT and technology, start-ups and artificial intelligence-focused companies that set up shop in the region during and after the pandemic are now reaching the next stage of maturity. These companies are seeking UX and UI specialists who can enhance the customer experience and accessibility, the report said.
“Organisations are looking for HR experts with transformation experience, particularly those who are planning to automate systems and procedures over the next few years,” the consultancy said.
In financial services, competition for compliance talent is increasing, especially for those with experience of Dubai’s jurisdiction.
“As one of the few global locations currently flourishing, there has been an influx of investment firms into the UAE, which are now seeking traders and general partners, bringing in talent from the UK, US, Netherlands and Singapore. Retail financial institutions are also growing in the area due to the prevalence of high net worth individuals," the report said.
However, the decline in salaries and oversupply of foreign talent is undermining in-role salary growth, with 75 per cent agreeing that it is harder to negotiate a pay rise than it was 12 months ago.
About 34 per cent of employees in the UAE said they need a higher salary to meet their obligations. Overall, 65 per cent will look for a new job before the end of 2025, with 30 per cent of those citing the rising cost of living as a major driver for their move.
It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
