UAE offers best Gulf salary deal

The cost of living can play a major role in determining a professional’s preference of one economy over the other.

UAE residents may not have witnessed double digit pay hikes over the past couple of years, but salary levels in the country are still the most competitive in the region, according to experts.

“The UAE is rather competitive, as people have good remunerations and a very good level of living. Other countries in the region may be more competitive (in the sense that, even if the salary is of the same level as in the UAE, the expenses are lower, so the net income of the executive is higher). However, the quality of life is not perceived as too attractive [there],” Konstantina Sakellariou, Partner, Marketing & Operations Director at Stanton Chase told Emirates 24|7.

According to Lama Ataya, Chief Marketing Officer at Bayt.com, “Professionals in the UAE and Qatar are earning the most competitive salaries in the region.

“As per [our findings], 42 per cent [professionals for the UAE] and 37 per cent [for Qatar] stated their monthly personal income varies between $3,001 and $8,001 (compared to a regional average of 18 per cent). Furthermore, professionals in Qatar and Kuwait seem to be saving the most compared to other working professionals in the Middle East Region with 36 per cent and 29 per cent of professionals surveyed stating they are managing to save between 16 per cent and 75 per cent of their monthly income – to varying extents,” she added.

High salary levels is not the only factor that can determine a job market is competitive, say HR experts. The cost of living can play a major role in determining a professional’s preference of one economy over the other. UAE scores good on this parameter after the significant drop in rents over the past two years. 

“It is difficult to calculate the salaries only, as usually this is combined with the quality of living,” says Sakellariou.

According to Cliff Single, Commercial Manager at BAC Middle East, “when one considers salary levels relative to the general cost-of-living, locations such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have higher salary levels due to the perceived quality-of-life issues for expatriates.”

“The UAE [is the most competitive] if all factors are being weighed. Saudi best the best for hardship endured,” says Royston Fernandes, General Manager at Lobo management.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.