The UAE job market is gearing up for significant changes as banking, finance, sales, marketing, and IT roles are set to dominate hiring trends in 2025. A report by Michael Page highlights how growing investor interest, regulatory advancements, and an increase in Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are driving the demand for these positions.

According to Gulf News, in the banking and finance sector, fundraising and institutional sales professionals with strong networks are highly sought after. Compliance roles, including Chief Compliance Officers and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs), also stand out as some of the most in-demand and high-paying positions. Salaries in this sector reflect the high demand, with heads of wholesale banking earning up to Dh100,000 per month and senior relationship managers making around Dh37,000 monthly.

Sales and marketing roles are also seeing steady growth, particularly in B2B industries like technology, real estate, and logistics. Key positions include Business Development Managers and Chief Marketing Officers, with the latter earning an average monthly salary of Dh90,000.

The IT sector, meanwhile, continues to evolve, with positions like head of software development and senior DevOps engineers in high demand. Salaries for IT specialists vary, with the head of digital marketing earning between Dh35,000 and Dh60,000.

Despite these opportunities, businesses face challenges in hiring and retaining talent. Michael Page’s report reveals that 37% of business leaders struggle to find candidates with the right skills, while nearly half face difficulties aligning salary expectations. The report suggests that offering competitive packages with benefits and career development opportunities is key to attracting and retaining top talent.

Michael Page’s Regional Director UAE, Jon Ede, emphasized the importance of adaptability, noting that companies leveraging data-driven salary benchmarks are better positioned for long-term success. The UAE’s workforce grew by 9% in 2024, and the number of new companies increased by 14.5%, further solidifying the country’s status as a prime destination for talent and business growth.