Salaries in the UAE are expected to rise by 1.6 per cent on average in 2026, as companies move towards focused increases amid strong population growth, according to a report by recruitment consultancy Cooper Fitch.
Most planned salary increases sit in the 0 per cent to 5 per cent band, with only a small share of companies budgeting 6 per cent to 9 per cent or double-digit raises for “hard-to-replace roles” in areas such as technology, transformation and specialised finance, the UAE Salary Guide 2026 report said.
The study polled business leaders across 800 organisations in the UAE.
There was an average salary increase of 2.6 per cent in the Emirates this year, figures compiled from employers show. Most organisations remained conservative, with 38 per cent approving modest increases of zero to 5 per cent to secure specialist or business-critical talent in “a competitive market”.
“New joiners that don't have UAE or Gulf experience are likely to come in on leaner packages,” said Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of Cooper Fitch.
“But individual contributors stand out in 2026, with 14.3 per cent expected to receive mid-range salary increases of 6 per cent to 9 per cent, almost triple the rate seen in leadership or management levels
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.