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Senior-Level Salaries in the UAE: A Competitive Landscape for 2025

  • Publish Date: Posted 25 November 2024
  • Author: Gina Le Prevost FIRP DipRP, CEO

​Senior executives in the UAE’s wealth management, fintech, and private family office sectors are poised to benefit from a favourable remuneration landscape in 2025, as salaries are projected to rise by an average of 4%. This growth reflects the UAE’s strategic focus on economic diversification and its position as a leading hub for global financial and technological expertise. Beyond monetary increases, evolving compensation packages and heightened competition for skilled talent are reshaping the recruitment market for senior-level roles.

In wealth management, the increasing demand for client-focused strategies, such as ESG-compliant investments, is driving the need for professionals with highly specialised skills. The financial services sector is expected to align with the market average of a 4% salary increase, but niche areas like asset management and succession planning may offer higher premiums. Notably, the UAE remains a key destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), with recent reports indicating a 62% rise in millionaires relocating to the country in 2022—a trend expected to sustain demand for wealth advisors and senior portfolio managers.

The fintech sector is experiencing even stronger growth, with senior executives commanding higher salaries due to the rapid adoption of AI, blockchain, and digital payment technologies. The UAE leads the Middle East in AI usage, with 74% of residents engaging with AI tools weekly. This technological shift has intensified competition for roles requiring both financial acumen and technical expertise. Companies are responding by offering equity-based incentives, relocation support, and professional development opportunities to secure transformative leadership.

For private family offices, a more discreet but influential segment, the focus is on highly bespoke talent. Senior roles in this field often require a mix of financial expertise, strategic vision, and an understanding of intergenerational wealth dynamics. With an influx of wealthy families establishing offices in the UAE, the demand for professionals skilled in private equity, philanthropy advisory, and lifestyle management is growing rapidly. Compensation in these roles often exceeds standard benchmarks due to the specialised and highly personal nature of the work.

Beyond salary, rising living costs in the UAE—particularly housing—are pushing firms to reassess allowances and benefits. Housing costs in Dubai, for example, rose by over 20% in 2023, prompting employers to adjust their total rewards packages to remain competitive. Mercer’s latest survey emphasises the importance of updating these benefits as part of a broader Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that includes flexibility, career growth opportunities, and wellbeing support

The UAE’s strong economic outlook, combined with its commitment to technological innovation and financial expertise, is creating an attractive environment for senior professionals. For organisations, the challenge lies in balancing competitive remuneration with a strategic focus on long-term talent retention. In this dynamic landscape, the ability to align compensation packages with market trends will be critical to securing leadership that drives success in 2025 and beyond.