These are the highest paying jobs in the UAE for 2024

Highly specialised professionals are among the elite few who are in hot demand in the UAE and they can even secure “significant increases” in pay, according to a report released by recruitment consultancy Robert Half.

The report notes how the UAE jobs market outlook for 2024 is predicted to be stable, but that a “rise in the cost of living” from healthcare to schooling to property prices is pushing professionals to look for new roles with bigger paychecks. The report further adds that there are headwinds, though, as employers are increasingly “battening down the hatches.”

Up to 48 per cent of surveyed candidates could be on the hunt for a new job in 2024 as 46 per cent have had no salary increase despite rising costs, says Robert Half. This is indicative of a tighter market and tentative economy.

Five hundred professionals living and working in the UAE — in sectors such as finance and accounting, financial services, IT and technology, legal and human resources — contributed to the data used to put together the findings of the report.

UAE jobs market in 2024

While a significant number of employees in the UAE switched jobs in 2023, a lack of stability in core markets means that fewer candidates are actively looking for new roles, the consultancy said.

Most roles are replacements, rather than newly created positions.

Here are the most in-demand roles in the finance and accounting sector:

1. Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
2. Financial Analyst
3. Commercial Finance Manager
4. Group Financial Controller
5. Head of Finance

Top salaries in the finance and accounting sector:

1. Chief Financial Officer (SME) – $198,000 to $335,000
2. Chief Financial Officer (Large company) – $229,000 to $493,250
3. Finance Director (SME) – $158,000 to $238,000
4. Finance Director (Large company) – $198,000 to $296,000
5. Financial Controller (SME) – $81,750 to $167,500

Here are the most in-demand roles in the IT and Technology sector:

1. Project Manager
2. Software Developer (front-end)
3. Software Developer (back-end)
4. Chief Technology Officer
5. Head of IT

Top salaries in the IT and Technology sector:

1. Chief Information Officer (CIO) – $210,000 to $401,750
2. Chief Technology Officer (CTO) – $214,250 to $407,000
3. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – $182,000 to $260,250
4. Chief Architect – $163,500 to $233,500
5. Information Technology Manager >10 years’ experience – $106,000 to $197,000

Here are the most in-demand roles and skills in the legal sector:

1. Senior Legal Associate
2. Senior Legal Counsel
3. Corporate Lawyer
4. Contract negotiation
5. Litigation

Top salaries in the legal sector:

Private practice:
1. Senior Associate – $170,000 to $230,000
2. Associate – $90,000 to $170,000
3. Paralegal – $50,000 to $95,000

In-house legal team:
1. Chief Legal Officer/Head of Legal/General Counsel – $230,000 to $360,000
2. Regional Legal Counsel – $175,000 to $275,000
3. Legal Manager – $130,000 to $175,000

Here are the most in-demand jobs in the financial services sector:

1. Compliance Manager
2. Fund Accountant
3. Finance Manager
4. Relationship Manager (AM and private banking)
5. Brokers

Top salaries in the financial services sector:

Private equity and asset management

1. Director – $210,000 to $292,000
2. Vice President – $135,000 to $192,750
3. Senior Associate – $108,000 to $154,250
4. Associate – $84,750 to $115,500
5. Analyst – $69,250 to $96,500

Governance, risk, and compliance

1. Head of Compliance – $192,750 to $250,500
2. Compliance Manager & MLRO – $135,000 to $211,750
3. Compliance Officer (Onshore) – $69,250 to $96,250
4. Compliance Officer (Offshore) – $88,750 to $115,500
5. Anti-Money Laundering Specialist – $61,750 to $84,750

Here are the most in-demand jobs in the HR and administrative functional roles:

1. HR Director
2. Head of Talent Management
3. HR Generalist
4. Talent Acquisition Manager
5. Executive Assistant

Top salaries in the HR and administrative sectors:

1. HR Director – $237,750 to $401,500
2. Head of HR – $175,000 to $316,000
3. Regional HR Manager – $133,500 to $200,000
4. HR Manager/HR Business Partner – $83,500 to $137,750
5. Senior HR Officer/Junior HR Business Partner – $50,000 to $91,750

Also read: UAE: New end-of-service benefits scheme now in force; here’s what it offers