The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is a bustling hub of commerce, culture and opportunities. The government has invested heavily in diversifying the city’s economy, moving away from its strong reliance on the oil and gas sector.
Now, Abu Dhabi counts amongst one of the most sought-after job markets in the world. The city sustains through banking, tourism, IT and real estate industries, each offering lucrative salaries and career growth potential.
But which of these professions earn the most? Let’s find out as we explore the highest-paid jobs in Abu Dhabi.
List of Highest Paid Jobs in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks 7th in global competitiveness. This competitive edge is particularly evident in the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi.
One significant factor contributing is the attractive zero-tax policy for individuals, which allows you to keep more of your hard-earned income. As a result, many multinational companies are drawn to establish a base here.
This, combined with some other factors, makes salaries exceedingly competitive, especially in Abu Dhabi.
Marketing Director:
Marketing directors in Abu Dhabi are charged with overseeing the development and implementation of marketing communications strategies.
They work closely with the marketing manager and marketing teams to increase brand awareness and overall market share.
Marketing directors have a seat on the company’s board, and they report directly to the CEO. This role is also called Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and chief brand officer.
The salary of an experienced Marketing Director in Abu Dhabi is around AED 45,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Marketing Coordinator: ~AED 14,000/ month
- Marketing Manager: ~AED 20,000/ month
- Product Marketing Manager: ~AED 24,000/ month
- Senior Marketing Manager: ~AED 32,000/ month
Top Companies in Abu Dhabi:
- MASDAR
- United Printing & Publishing
- Miral
- National Corporation of Tourism & Hotels
- iSee Entertainment and Events
Director of Supply Chain:
A Director of Supply Chain oversees all aspects of a company’s supply chain management. This includes procurement, warehousing, transportation, inventory control, and logistics. Other names for this role are chief procurement officer (CPO) and chief acquisition officer.
The salary of an experienced Director of Supply Chain in Abu Dhabi is around AED 54,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Supply Chain Analyst: ~AED 6,000/ month
- Demand Planner: ~AED 18,000/ month
- Supply Chain Manager: ~AED 26,000/ month
- Senior Supply Chain Manager: ~AED 34,000/ month
Top Companies:
- Mubadala
- Elite Agro
- Samira Maatouk Group
- Sun Technical Group
- Abu Dhabi Health Services
Corporate Lawyer:
All major businesses in Abu Dhabi need corporate lawyers to ensure compliance with the law. If a corporate entity pursues an inorganic growth strategy, it is essential to manage these mergers and acquisitions with legal precision.
For day-to-day operations, corporate lawyers meticulously scrutinise and draft ironclad contracts, safeguarding the company’s interest in every deal. This also includes guiding the company at every step in accordance with the policies of the UAE Ministry of Finance.
The salary of an experienced Corporate Attorney in Abu Dhabi is around AED 65,000 a month.
Related Job Roles
- Associate Attorney: ~AED 30,000/ month
- Senior Associate Attorney: ~AED 45,000/ month
- General Counsel: ~AED 55,000/ month
Top Companies:
- YAS Holding
- Etisalat
- ADNOC Group
- Weatherford
- Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Drilling Engineer:
Despite the incredible effort of the leadership to diversify the economy, oil and gas still remain the biggest sector. That’s to be expected since Abu Dhabi holds 9% of the world’s oil reserves. One of the primary responsibilities of oil extraction falls on the shoulders of drilling engineers.
Drilling engineers cover everything from designing, planning, cost estimation, installation and supervision of oil and gas well drilling projects. They also make sure the extraction adheres to international environmental and safety standards.
The salary of an experienced Drilling Engineer is around AED 45,000 per month.
Related Job Roles
- Junior Petroleum Engineer: ~AED 25,000/ month
- Senior Petroleum Engineer: ~AED 42,000/ month
- Completions Engineer: ~AED 21,000/ month
Top Companies:
- Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited
- Halliburton
- AlMansoori Specialized Engineering
- Al Masaood Oil and Gas
- Core Laboratories
Program Director:
The role of a Program Director is to oversee a team of project managers so every company program runs smoothly. A program is just a collection of interrelated projects that contribute to a larger business goal.
In other words, program directors lead multiple projects at a time to achieve a single, grand goal for the organisation. Looking at the big picture, they prevent isolated efforts and redundancy for more efficient use of the resources.
The salary of an experienced Program Director in Abu Dhabi is around AED 57,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Program Coordinator: ~AED 14,000/ month
- Program Manager: ~AED 40,000/ month
- Project Manager: ~AED 36,000/ month
Top Companies:
- Digital14
- AECOM
- HCT
- UAE Exchange
- ADNOC Group
Surgeon:
Healthcare is a primary need of all humans. Considering the high standard of living in Abu Dhabi, both private and public healthcare systems need talented medical professionals.
Only a few of the most qualified individuals with strong nerves become good surgeons. So it’s to be expected they are compensated generously for their services.
The salary of an experienced Surgeon in Abu Dhabi is around AED 52,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Cardiologist: ~AED 40,000/ month
- Doctor: ~AED 18,000/ month
- Radiologist: ~AED 45,000/ month
- Neurologist: ~AED 50,000/ month
Top Hospitals Hiring For This Role:
- Burjeel Hospital
- NMC Hospital
- Ahalia Hospital
- Medeor Hospital
- LLH Hospital
- Moorfields Eye Hospital
Chief Executive Officer (CEO):
A CEO is the leader of a company. They have the most responsibility and the highest salaries. Since Abu Dhabi is among the most competitive places for business, CEOs here also receive huge bonuses.
The salary of an experienced Chief Executive Officer in Abu Dhabi is around AED 113,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Chief of Staff: ~AED 50000/ month
- Director: ~AED 43,000/ month
- Vice President: ~AED 50,500/ month
Top Companies:
- Etihad Airways
- ADNOC Group
- Parsons Corporation
- AECOM
- Halliburton
Chief Technology Officer (CTO):
A CTO is a top-level executive in charge of driving a company’s technology strategy for maximum efficiency and profit. They plan the development and implementation of the company’s technology.
The CTO’s role is crucial for not only digitization but also constant improvement according to the latest technological advancements. They make sure the company remains at the forefront of its industry.
The salary of an experienced Chief Technology Officer in Abu Dhabi is around AED 70,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Chief Operating Officer: ~AED 60,000/ month
- Chief Information Officer: ~AED 39,000/ month
- IT Project Manager: ~AED 31,000/ month
Top Companies:
- AT&T
- Avrioc Technologies
- Pyypl
- TBC
- ADNOC Group
Lead Software Engineer:
Abu Dhabi’s IT sector is booming thanks to business-friendly practices and practically non-existent taxation. In fact, the 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Report placed Abu Dhabi as the 6th fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world.
All manner of IT-related jobs are in demand, but experienced technical team leads are especially sought after.
The salary of an experienced Lead Software Engineer in Abu Dhabi is around AED 35,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Software Developer: ~AED 13,000/ month
- Senior Software Engineer: ~AED 22,000/ month
- Software Architect: ~AED 25,000/ month
Top Companies:
- Blue DOT Information Technology
- G42
- WHO
- Littlemees
- CERT
- FlyFin
Key Account Manager:
A Key Account Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with a company’s most important clients, also known as “key accounts.”
They are responsible for achieving sales targets, managing customer accounts, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
This job role is particularly in demand by the massive oil and gas sector of Abu Dhabi, so opportunities are endless.
The average salary of a Key Account Manager in Abu Dhabi is around AED 36,000 a month.
Related Job Roles:
- Business Development Manager: AED 31,000/ month
- Regional Sales Manager: AED 24,000/ month
- Senior Account Manager: AED 18,000/ month
- Strategic Account Manager: AED 19,000/ month
Top Companies:
- Al-Futtaim Group
- Modern Pharmaceutical
- Datailer Technologies
- GSK
- MHAO Group
FAQs
A CEO of a big company in Abu Dhabi can take home around AED 113,000 in monthly salary alone. However, the total amount they make is considerably more than that, thanks to the numerous bonuses. A single bonus can reach up to 9 times their monthly salary.
A salary exceeding AED 35,000 per month would be very good for someone with a family in Abu Dhabi. This allows for a comfortable lifestyle with opportunities for savings or investments.
In contrast, individuals living alone can experience a similar or even more luxurious lifestyle with an AED 20,000 monthly salary.
While the rest of UAE has its own charm, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the best options for work. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and a major centre for oil & gas, finance, and government sectors. In comparison, Dubai is the premier hub of global tourism that also caters to innovative start-ups.
These are some of the highest-paid jobs in Abu Dhabi. The salaries mentioned above can vary depending on factors such as qualifications, experience, industry demand and the employer. Furthermore, benefits such as home allowance, fuel allowance and health insurance further enhance the attractiveness of these jobs.
