This page shows what common expat jobs in Dubai pay each month. All amounts are in UAE dirhams (AED). We checked the numbers in November 2026.
As per our research, these are typical ranges, not promises. Your offer depends on your experience, the company, your nationality and the package.
Blue-collar and service jobs
These jobs often come with free shared accommodation, transport, or meals. That adds real value. A job paying AED 1,800 with free housing can leave you with more money than AED 2,800 without it.
| Job | Average (AED/month) | Typical range (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Light vehicle driver | 2,569 | 4,054 – 9,111 |
| Heavy truck driver | 2,772 | not enough data |
| Delivery driver / rider | 2,996 | not enough data |
| Waiter / server | 2,392 | 3,989 – 6,051 |
| Cook | 2,265 | not enough data |
| Cleaner | 2,180 | 1,090 – 2,437 |
| Housekeeper | 2,236 | not enough data |
| Security guard | 1,355 | 2,269 – 4,149 |
| Cashier | 2,308 | 2,745 – 5,877 |
| Storekeeper | 2,748 | not enough data |
What the numbers tell us:
- Cleaners and security guards sit at the bottom of the pay scale. Most offers are below AED 2,500 basic.
- Drivers earn more if they hold a UAE licence already. A “driver” job ad can also mean a private chauffeur, which pays more. That is why the range is wide.
- Waiters in hotels often get a share of the service charge and tips on top of basic pay. Ask how the service charge is shared before you sign.
Skilled trades
Trade jobs pay more when you have a recognised certificate and Gulf experience.
| Job | Average (AED/month) | Typical range (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 2,418 | 4,925 – 6,364 |
| Plumber | 2,133 | not enough data |
| AC / HVAC technician | 2,636 | not enough data |
Tip: Facilities companies and contractors often pay overtime on top of basic salary. Ask how many overtime hours are normal on the project. Overtime pay is a legal right. See our guide to UAE labour law basics.
Office, sales and professional jobs
Pay for office jobs varies a lot. A small trading company pays far less than a bank or a big group.
| Job | Average (AED/month) | Typical range (AED/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Receptionist | 3,338 | 7,203 – 10,079 |
| Administrative assistant | 3,080 | 12,106 – 18,761 |
| Sales executive | 3,828 | 9,055 – 17,415 |
| Accountant | 3,804 | 9,293 – 24,129 |
| Civil engineer | 4,809 | 11,752 – 14,841 |
| IT support | 4,036 | not enough data |
| Nurse | 2,798 | 14,612 – 28,307 |
Read this table with care:
- Office pay has a very wide range. The average reflects many junior jobs in small firms. The top of the range reflects fewer, often senior, jobs.
- Nurses show the biggest gap. A licensed registered nurse in a hospital earns far more than a caregiver or nursing assistant. To work as a nurse in Dubai you need a licence from the health authority. Pay follows the licence and the hospital.
- Sales jobs often pay a lower basic salary plus commission. Ask for the basic salary in writing. Your gratuity is based on basic pay only. See our end-of-service gratuity guide.
Basic salary versus total package
Your offer letter and MoHRE contract usually split pay into parts:
- Basic salary. The fixed core amount. Gratuity and some other rights are based on it.
- Allowances. Housing, transport, food or phone. These add to monthly pay.
- Benefits in kind. Free accommodation, a company bus, meals or a uniform.
- Variable pay. Overtime, commission, service charge or bonus.
Two offers with the same total can be very different in value. A higher basic salary means a higher gratuity when you leave.
How to check if an offer is fair
- Compare at least two sources. Use this page, job ads for the same role, and people who do the job now.
- Count the housing. Shared accommodation from the employer saves you rent. If you must pay rent yourself, check costs first. Our sister site has a guide to the cheapest areas to rent in Dubai.
- Ask for the offer in writing. The salary in your offer must match your MoHRE contract.
- Never pay to get the job. The UAE government says job seekers do not have to pay recruitment agencies. The employer pays those fees.
Warning: An offer far above these ranges for a basic job is a red flag. Fake offers often promise high pay and then ask for a “visa fee”. Read our scam alerts before you pay anyone.
Pay and your cost of living
A salary only makes sense next to your costs. Rent, food, transport and money sent home all come out of the same pay. For a full picture of monthly costs, see the Dubai cost of living guide on our sister site.
For more on pay and the job market, see the Pay and market section.
