2025 UAE Administrative and HR Salary Guide and Market Trends

Salaries in HR and business administration have fallen by an average of 1.24%. This fall has been driven by an 8% median salary fall for HR Directors, while salaries for all other roles in the sector remain stable.

Companies are trying to elevate their HR teams to be best in class. After the pandemic, finance and legal were the priorities for many organisations but now the investment is focused on developing HR and L&D functions, as well as focusing on talent development as this is crucial for succession planning and building a strong, sustainable workforce for the future.

Organisations are looking for HR experts with transformation experience, particularly those who are planning to automate systems and procedures over the next few years. Two-thirds (65%) of HR and administration workers agree that AI and automation will have a net positive impact on their job roles and career prospects, but it is important that employers invest in training to ensure workers have the right skills.

View salaries by category

Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, the company’s size, and demand for the role.

HR leadership

Recruitment

Learning and development

Compensation and benefits

Administration

Position title

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Chief Head of HR (CHRO)

284000

315500

406000

HR Director

228750

294000

349500

Head of HR

175000

225000

316000

Regional HR Manager

133500

159000

200000

HR Manager/HR Business Partner

83500

112250

137750

Senior HR Officer/Junior HR Business Partner

50000

66750

91750

HR Officer

31250

46000

66250

25th Percentile

The applicant has limited or no experience in the position and is still developing their skills.

50th Percentile

The applicant has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th Percentile

The applicant has above-average experience, has (nearly) all necessary skills, and may also have specialised qualifications.

Top jobs in HR

HR generalist

Talent acquisition manager

Head of HR

HR director

Top skills and experience in HR

Transformation experience

Restructuring experience

New HR systems (e.g. Workday)

Data analytics

How much should I pay or earn?

Top certifications and degrees in HR

CIPD

HR Management degrees

LLM Employment Law

Psychology degrees

Top industries for HR specialists

Financial services

FMCG / E-commerce

Tech

Renewable energy

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the United Arab Emirates. The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is from two online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by research consultancy Savanta. In May 2024, Robert Half commissioned a survey of 103 senior business decision makers in the UAE with hiring responsibilities. In August 2024, Robert Half commissioned a survey of 521 professionals living and working in the UAE. Both surveys used an online data collection methodology, and drew respondents from different business sectors and areas of the UAE.