Fewer UAE professionals negotiate salaries as global competition rises – Report
Salary negotiations in the UAE have declined significantly over the past year as international competition and the labor force’s recognizance of the country’s labor market, according to the page of Michael Consultancy Cital.
The acquisition comes as the UAE’s population continues to rise, driven by the encouragement of skilled professionals from Europe and other regions seeking job opportunities in the Gulf. Dubai’s population surpassed four million this year thanks to Emirates’ growing appeal as a global hub.
In its UAE salary guide for 2026, it said 49 percent of professionals had tried to negotiate their salaries in the past 12 months, but only 15 percent had succeeded. That compares with 64 percent who attempted and 24 percent who succeeded in 2024, highlighting a growing sense of labor restraint as overseas talent enters the market.
“While 52 percent are satisfied with the current salary, almost two-thirds are open to changing jobs in 2026,” said Jon Ede, managing director of the Middle East at Michael Page.
“Salary remains the most important, but life balance and career growth have become more important. Employers, too, tell us they are finding it difficult to recruit and retain employees.”
Bright new data on changing salaries in the UAE
The new guide shows salaries rising across many sectors, especially digital and leadership roles, as companies compete for skilled professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and finance. However, competition for top talent has intensified, and two-thirds of employees are still considering new opportunities despite high levels of satisfaction.
The UAE economy is targeted to grow by 4.5 percent by 2026, driven mainly by non-oil sectors. Employers are facing increasing pressure to attract and retain exceptional employees while adapting to new expectations for flexibility, the rise of Upskilling, and the hybrid workforce.
The report also noted a significant shift in hiring: Job descriptions are increasingly including requirements and measurable results, and employers are increasingly valuing integrated strategies, data literacy, and financial acumen.
The 2026 salary guide includes data for more than 500 professionals in 18 sectors, from technology and energy to banking, health care, and professional services. The Firm has also introduced an effective online tool that allows users to compare salary information by industry, experience level, and location.
“Clarification around Pay is more important than ever in a market that continues to attract foreign professionals,” said Ede. “Our goal is to provide both employers and Jobe employees with the information they need to make confident decisions.”
The 2026 Edition builds on the findings of the previous year. The 2025 Salary Guide revealed that while 52 percent of workers were satisfied with their salaries, 65 percent were still exploring new job opportunities, indicating persistent retention challenges.
Michael Page has also released an Emiratisation salary guide to help private companies meet nationalization targets that require 50 or more employees to increase their Emirati workforce by 2 percent each year.
The guide is available through Michael’s website and is designed to help businesses create competitive compensation packages while empowering professionals to advertise their market value.
