Wage negotiations within the UAE have declined sharply over the previous 12 months as worldwide competitors and a extra cautious workforce reshape the nation’s job market, in keeping with recruitment consultancy Michael Web page.
The findings come because the UAE’s inhabitants continues to rise, fuelled by an inflow of expert professionals from Europe and different areas in search of profession alternatives within the Gulf. Dubai’s inhabitants surpassed 4 million this 12 months because of the Emirates’ rising attraction as a worldwide expertise hub.
In its 2026 UAE Wage Information, the agency mentioned 49 per cent of execs tried to barter their salaries prior to now 12 months, however solely 15 per cent succeeded. That compares with 64 per cent making an attempt and 24 per cent succeeding in 2024, highlighting a rising sense of restraint amongst workers as extra abroad expertise enters the market.
“Whereas 52 per cent are glad with their present pay, almost two-thirds are open to altering jobs in 2026,” mentioned Jon Ede, Managing Director for the Center East at Michael Web page.
“Wage stays the highest precedence, however work-life steadiness and profession development have gotten simply as necessary. Employers, in flip, are telling us they’re discovering it more durable to each recruit and retain workers.”
New knowledge highlights altering UAE salaries
The brand new information exhibits salaries are rising throughout most sectors, significantly for digital and management roles, as corporations compete for expert professionals in areas resembling synthetic intelligence, sustainability, and finance. Nonetheless, competitors for prime expertise has intensified, with two-thirds of workers nonetheless contemplating new alternatives regardless of larger satisfaction ranges.
The UAE’s financial system is projected to develop by 4.5 per cent in 2026, pushed primarily by non-oil sectors. Employers are going through larger strain to draw and retain specialised employees whereas adapting to new expectations round flexibility, upskilling, and hybrid work.
The report additionally famous a shift in hiring priorities: job descriptions are increasing to incorporate supply and measurable outcomes, whereas employers more and more worth hybrid talent units that mix technique, knowledge literacy, and monetary acumen.
The 2026 Wage Information consists of knowledge for greater than 500 professions throughout 18 sectors, from expertise and vitality to banking, healthcare, {and professional} companies. The agency has additionally launched an interactive on-line device that permits customers to match wage knowledge by business, expertise degree, and placement.
“Readability round pay is extra necessary than ever in a market that continues to draw worldwide professionals,” Ede mentioned. “Our aim is to provide each employers and job seekers the knowledge they should make assured selections.”
The 2026 version builds on final 12 months’s findings. The 2025 Wage Information revealed that whereas 52 per cent of workers have been glad with their salaries, 65 per cent have been nonetheless exploring new job alternatives, reflecting persistent retention challenges.
Michael Web page additionally launched an Emiratisation Wage Information 2025 to assist personal corporations meet nationalisation targets requiring these with 50 or extra workers to extend their Emirati workforce by 2 per cent annually.
The information is accessible by the Michael Web page web site and is designed to assist companies construct aggressive compensation packages whereas enabling professionals to benchmark their market worth.
