UAE Job Trends 2025: Most In-Demand & Highest-Paying Roles Revealed

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

The UAE’s banking and finance sector is witnessing a surge in hiring, driven by the rapid growth of asset management, increasing investor interest, evolving regulations, and the rise of Family Offices and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs). This booming landscape has created a strong demand for finance professionals, particularly those skilled in fundraising and institutional sales, who bring both industry expertise and valuable regional networks, according to Michael Page’s UAE 2025 Salary Guide.

The guide, which draws real-time insights from 17 industries, offers a comprehensive look at current hiring trends, salary expectations, and the recruitment challenges businesses are facing in the UAE.

Table of Contents

• Roles in Banking & Finance
• Sales and Marketing Sector
• IT Jobs
• Talent Gaps in the UAE Job Market
• Frequently asked questions

Roles in Banking & Finance

According to the report, the demand for skilled professionals in the banking and finance sector of the UAE continues to rise, especially in compliance-related roles.

Professionals with authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) are highly sought-after. In particular, Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs) and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) have emerged as some of the most in-demand and highest-paying positions within the industry.

Salaries in Banking & Finance

The report also highlights the average monthly salaries for key roles in the UAE’s banking and finance sector:

• Head of Wholesale Banking – Can earn an average salary of AED 100,000 per month.
• Senior Relationship Manager – Can expect an average monthly salary of AED 37,000.

Sales and Marketing Sector

According to the report, the sales and marketing sector in the UAE has witnessed steady growth, especially within B2B industries. The rise in investments across various sectors such as technology, real estate, energy, and logistics has significantly increased the demand for skilled professionals.

Most In-Demand Roles in Sales & Marketing:

Companies are on the lookout for experts with strong business development, key account management, and communication skills. The key roles driving demand in this sector include:

• Business Development Manager
• Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
• Strategic Sales Director

Professionals with expertise in building client relationships, managing key accounts, and developing effective sales strategies are particularly valuable in the current job market.

Salaries in Sales & Marketing

The report outlines the average monthly salaries for key positions in the UAE’s sales and marketing sector:

• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) – Can earn an average salary of AED 90,000 per month.
• Country Manager – Can expect an average monthly salary of AED 48,000.
• Key Account Manager – Can earn up to AED 26,000 per month.

IT Jobs

According to the report, the demand for digital and technology professionals in the UAE has grown rapidly over the past few years. As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the need for skilled IT experts has become stronger than ever.

Top 5 Most In-Demand IT Roles in the UAE:

• Head of Software Development
• Full-Stack Software Engineer
• Agile Product Manager
• Senior DevOps Engineer
• Digital Adoption Specialist

These roles are crucial for companies looking to drive innovation, enhance digital capabilities, and stay competitive in a technology-driven market.

Salaries of IT Specialists

The report highlights the salary range for IT professionals in the UAE:

• Head of Digital Marketing – Can expect a monthly salary ranging from AED 35,000 to AED 60,000.

Talent Gaps in the UAE Job Market

The report also highlights the growing challenge of skill shortages in the UAE job market. With rising demand for specialised talent and changing employee expectations, companies are being forced to rethink their hiring strategies.

Key Findings from Michael Page’s Report:

• 37% of business leaders struggled to find candidates with the right expertise.
• 30% of employers faced difficulties in retaining top talent.
• 48% of hiring managers said aligning salary expectations with candidates was their biggest challenge.

Jon Ede, Regional Director at Michael Page, stated that businesses need to offer a well-rounded package to attract and retain skilled professionals. This includes:

• Competitive salaries
• Attractive employee benefits
• Career development opportunities
• Workplace incentives

Companies that focus on these areas will have a better chance of standing out and securing top talent in a highly competitive market.

The UAE job market in 2025 offers great opportunities across banking, finance, sales, marketing, and IT sectors. However, rising skill shortages remain a major challenge for companies. Employers need to focus on competitive salaries, career growth, and employee benefits to attract and retain top talent. For job seekers, upgrading skills and staying industry-ready will be key to success.