Dubai, 6 January 2014 - The just-released Robert Half 2014 Salary Guide shows that Middle East starting salaries for professional occupations are projected to increase an average of 3.8% next year. Accounting and finance positions are expected to see the largest gains among all fields researched, with an anticipated 5.0% increase in the average salary for newly hired workers. Technology professionals can expect starting salaries to rise an average of 4.6%, according to the research.
Gareth El Mettouri, Associate Director, Robert Half Middle East said, "The job market for experienced professionals across the Middle East has tightened. What was proving to be a shallow talent pool has further diminished, leaving companies struggling to find local talent and often turning to expatriates to fill critical roles.
“While we have not returned to a climate where double digit salary increases are the norm, businesses are looking at their compensation and adjusting levels to both attract and retain the market’s top talent. Periodically benchmarking salaries against industry averages will help businesses remain competitive as they look to grow their operations in 2014.”
Following is an overview of findings from the 2014 Salary Guide:
- Accounting and finance
The average starting salary for a newly hired accounting and finance professional in the Middle East is forecast to rise 5.0% next year. Finance managers, management accountants and financial controllers are in demand. Qualified accountants will find strong opportunities in the real estate, construction, oil and gas and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries. - Financial services
Nominal increases in base pay for financial services professionals is seeing starting salaries rise 2.5% over 2013 levels. Internal audit, compliance, transactional banking and insurance underwriting are particularly in demand, although skilled professionals remain in short supply. Corporate banking, investment management and insurance sectors are seeing the strongest hiring activity. - Technology
Overall, base compensation for information technology professionals is expected to increase 4.6% in the coming year. Project/programme managers are in particularly strong demand, as are techno-functional specialists, managers and consultants and service delivery managers. Engineering, procurement and construction, financial services and pharma/healthcare industries are seeking skilled IT professionals, as are vendor-based technology firms and management consultancies. - Legal
In the legal field, starting salaries for in-house and private practice overall are anticipated to rise 2.0%, on average, in the coming year. Paralegal, regional legal counsel and mid-level counsel with five to eight years’ post-qualification experience are in demand, particularly as firms are looking to bring more legal functions back in-house. The technology and media, construction, energy and financial services industries are seeing stronger-than-average demand for legal professionals. - Human resources
Overall starting salaries for HR professionals in the Middle East are expecting modest increases, an average of 1.2% in 2014. Specialists in talent management, learning and development and compensation and benefits as well as HR directors who are CIPD qualified are sought after. The FMCG, professional services, engineering, technology and energy industries are seeing the greatest demand for skilled HR talent.
ENDS
About Robert Half
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialised recruitment consultancy and member of the S&P 500. Founded in 1948, the company has over 345 offices worldwide, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha providing recruitment solutions for accounting and finance, financial services, technology, human resources and legal professionals. Robert Half offers workplace and recruitment related resources, available at www.roberthalf.ae.
About the 2014 Robert Half Middle East Salary Guide
Since 1950, Robert Half International has provided Salary Guides to offer business owners, hiring managers and professionals information on prevailing starting salaries in their geographic areas and insight into the latest employment trends. Companies consult the annual Robert Half Middle East Salary Guide to determine appropriate remuneration for accounting and finance, financial services, technology, human resources and legal professionals at all levels. Information in the guides is based on the job searches, negotiations and placements managed each year by Robert Half's recruitment consultants, along with the company’s ongoing surveys of executives. Continuing or ongoing salaries are not reported because many external factors -- such as seniority, work ethic, job performance and training -- impact the salaries of permanent employees as work histories develop.
The Salary Guide is available for download at www.roberthalf.ae/salary-guide.