Global recruitment specialist Michael Page released its Emiratisation Salary Guide 2025, providing real-time salary benchmarks, sector-specific insight and comparison of private vs public sector for UAE nationals.
The guide, which offers clarity in a competitive Emiratisation landscape, is expected to support organisations in aligning their hiring strategies with UAE government nationalisation targets, including newly introduced quotas for SMEs and sector-specific mandates.
Meeting Emiratisation targets
Under the evolving UAE Emiratisation policy, private sector companies with 50 or more employees are now required to grow their local workforce by two per cent annually, aiming for a 10 per cent increase by 2026.
Also, businesses with 20–49 employees operating in 14 key sectors including finance, ICT, healthcare, education, hospitality, construction, are now required to hire at least two Emirati nationals by 2025. Banking, insurance, and professional services are also required to achieve set Emiratisation quotas.
Jon Ede, Regional Director, UAE said that with the UAE government now requiring onshore companies with 50 or more employees to grow their Emirati workforce annually, businesses are under more pressure than ever.
“We’re speaking to more and more clients who are unsure about how to approach Emiratisation strategically – not just to stay compliant, but to build teams that are truly future-ready.
“This guide gives them a clear picture of where salaries stand today, so they can plan properly and act confidently,” he said.
Michael Page’s latest guide highlights salary trends across priority sectors and outlines strategies to help businesses attract and retain Emirati talent, while staying compliant with government quotas and industry expectations.
Ian Pollington, Operating Director – Emiratisation, at Michael Page, said there is still a lot of confusion in the market around what competitive compensation looks like for Emirati professionals, especially when comparing public vs. private sector roles.
“With UAE nationals making up just around 13 per cent of the total population, demand is high and competition is strong. Our guide helps employers understand what’s realistic, what’s competitive, and where the talent is available. It’s built from real conversations, real placements, and real data,” he said.
Emiratisation Salary Guide 2025 highlights:
