UAE salaries for professional services roles increased by an average of 2 percent in 2023 as an influx of talent to the region and more competition for roles shifted the market in favor of employers, according to a report by recruitment consultancy Robert Half. The report analyzed starting salaries across more than 100 professional services roles within the finance and accounting, financial services, IT and technology, human resources, and legal sectors.
While wages in most sectors in the Emirates experienced a small uplift, the average annual increase in the human resources sector was more than double that of other industries, Robert Half said in its 2024 Salary Guide. The average salary increase in human resources is 4.4 percent, driven by demand for compensation and benefits experts, and talented administrators.
“While the package is important, HR candidates are more interested in company culture and building a long-term career than candidates in other sectors,” explained Gareth El Mettouri, Associate Director Middle East at Robert Half. Most in-demand roles within the sector are – HR director, head of talent management, and HR generalists. The hardest-to-find talent includes – the head of compensation and benefits and the HR transformation director. Salaries for HR leadership roles have increased by 2.5 percent. Individuals starting as HR directors can earn upwards of Dh72,000 per month, mid-career professionals can take home Dh97,500, and experienced directors can make Dh116,000 per month. HR analytics and rewards analysts are taking home Dh13,900.
Professionals in the finance and accounting sector experienced an average salary increase of 1.6 percent this year, followed by financial services at 1.2 percent, the information technology sector at 1.2 percent, and legal at 0.7 percent, according to the salary guide.
In IT and technology, there is still significant demand for project managers and senior leaders who can set up offices as more businesses move to the region, the report said. “Driven by demand for compensation and benefits, there is a growing need for experts and talent administrators, also highlighting the appetite for businesses to attract and retain the best talent,” stated the report.
Overall, the report also revealed that about 41 percent of employees in these professions received salary increases in the past 12 months, either through an annual increase or a new role. And only 13 percent of the surveyed professionals have experienced a decrease in pay. In a sector-wise breakdown, the IT and technology sector has seen less movement in salaries over the past 12 months – a trend that is expected to continue into 2024, said the report.
