Top 10 Highest Paying HR Jobs in UAE

Human resources is swiftly evolving in the UAE, with professionals gaining new-age skills in strategic workforce planning, people analytics, and workforce planning. These are people commanding the highest salaries in the UAE HR market. There is also a growing shift into embracing HR technologies, including software adoption, automation of manual tasks, and sustainable work practices.

The UAE HR outsourcing market is also expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2030. With demand increasing for skilled HR practitioners in the UAE, it is the best time to build a career in this field. Here is a guide to the highest-paying HR jobs in the UAE, along with the skills required to secure them.

Highest-Paying HR Jobs in the UAE: Roles, Salaries & Responsibilities

Here are valuable insights on high-paying human resource jobs in the UAE, along with various other aspects.

Job Title	Average Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)	AED 287,095-717,276	HR planning, talent management, employee relations, organisational culture
HR Director	AED 192,000-520,000	Compensation and benefits, talent management, strategic planning, HR policy development, compliance
Talent Acquisition Head	AED 336,000-780,000	Employer branding, recruitment team management, candidate experience, and analysing recruitment data
Compensation and Benefits Manager	AED 214,819-384,661	Compensation and benefits management, policies, compliance, and employee communication
HR Business Partner (Senior Level)	AED 180,000-504,000	Talent management, strategic HR planning, and consulting
Learning & Development Manager	AED 120,000-268,649	Training program design and delivery, identifying needs, and learning management systems
Employee Relations Manager	AED 192,932-344,180	Managing employee grievances, employee working culture, compliance, and HR policies
HR Analytics/People Insights Manager	AED 132,286-250,000	Data analysis for HR functions, talent acquisition strategy, strategy development, and performance management
Talent Development Lead	AED 297,171-322,090	Talent management, training, employee engagement, and performance management
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead	AED 217,987-395,666	Strategy development, program management, compliance, and education

1. Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

This is one of the highest-paid HR positions in the UAE. It is a crucial role for supervising all aspects of HRM and industrial relations across organisations. CHROs not only create and execute HR strategies but also manage employees and shape the organisational culture. Other responsibilities include developing the organisational culture, compliance with labour laws, analysis, and reporting.

2. HR Director

Several of the highest-paying HR companies in the UAE offer these jobs. This is an important position that involves strategic planning, creating HR policies, managing talent, ensuring compliance with labor regulations, and developing and administering compensation and benefits practices. Other responsibilities include budget management, training and development, change management, and reporting and analysis.

3. Talent Acquisition Head

It is one of the highest-paying entry-level HR jobs with main responsibilities including creating employer branding initiatives, ensuring positive candidate experiences, managing recruitment teams, building relationships with hiring managers, analysing recruitment data and metrics, utilising multiple recruitment channels, and negotiating offers and closing candidates.

4. Compensation & Benefits Manager

Compensation and benefits managers have various responsibilities, including designing, creating, and managing compensation and benefits programs at companies. Other tasks include policy development, budget management, compliance, employee communication, market research, and performance management.

5. HR Business Partner (Senior Level)

HR business partners in senior positions have various responsibilities, including talent management, strategic HR planning, consulting for business leaders and employee relations. Other duties include performance management, change management, training and development, compensation and benefits, and legal compliance.

6. Learning & Development Manager

Learning & development (L&D) managers create and execute learning strategies while examining training programs and managing budgets. They also handle stakeholder collaboration, training needs, design and delivery of training programs, staying updated with industry trends, and managing learning management systems.

7. Employee Relations Manager

Employee relations managers have diverse responsibilities, including managing employee grievances, fostering positive employee relationships, implementing performance management procedures, ensuring compliance with labour laws, creating and implementing HR policies, providing training and development, and overseeing employee exits.

8. HR Analytics/People Insights Manager

HR analytics/people insights managers in the UAE handle various tasks, including utilising data to enhance HR functions, developing talent management and acquisition strategies, and providing insights to support business goals. Other roles include strategy development, performance management, compensation and benefits, communication and reporting, employee engagement, and HR technology management.

9. Talent Development Lead

The talent development lead handles responsibilities such as identifying and creating the right environment for employees, collaborating with stakeholders, delivering and designing training programs, and executing talent management strategies. Other responsibilities include performance management, employee engagement, and succession planning.

10. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead

Diversity, equity, and inclusion leads handle the development and implementation of DE&I strategies, manage programs, and comply with suitable labour regulations. Other tasks include training and education, data reporting and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy and awareness.

What Influences HR Salaries in the UAE?

There are several factors influencing HR salaries in the UAE, including the following:

• Years of Experience- More experienced professionals earn higher salaries, with a proven track record and relevant accomplishments.
• Types of Company- Multinationals usually offer higher salaries and better packages than local entities.
• Industry or Sector- Your specific sector/industry directly influences your compensation. Some sectors, like technology or finance, may have higher pay scales.
• Certifications – Relevant professional certifications, such as CISSP, CIPD, and SHRM, among others, may help you earn more in the UAE market.
• Emerging HR Technology & Digital Transformation – HR analytics, digital transformation initiatives, and technology implementation are in increasingly high demand throughout the UAE. Those specialising in these areas may draw higher salaries.

Career Progression of an HR Professional

The career progression of an HR professional in the UAE can be divided into three stages: entry-level to mid-level, mid-level to senior-level, and senior-level to executive-level. 

The various roles in these stages may be enumerated as follows:

Stage	Specific Role
Entry-Level To Mid-Level	HR Assistant HR Coordinator HR Specialist HR Generalist
Mid-Level To Senior-Level	HR Manager HRBP Talent Acquisition or Recruitment Manager
Senior-Level To Executive-Level	HR Director VP of HR CHRO

All these roles entail different types of work. For example, an HR assistant focuses primarily on administrative tasks.

HR managers oversee HR functions across entire organisations or within specific departments. Often, they also have strategic responsibilities.

Industry-wise Demand for HR Professionals in the UAE

• The hospitality sector has the highest demand for HR professionals in the UAE. This rapid growth is driven by various government initiatives under the Vision 2030 plan. 
• The healthcare sector is also one of the leading employers of HR professionals in the country. The healthcare needs of an increasing population fuel such demand. 
• The IT companies in the UAE may be using AI and automation for some HR functions. However, they still need HR professionals because of the sector’s rapid growth. This is especially true for candidates with strategic skills. 
• The other major sectors here are financial services & banking, and education.

Emerging HR Roles and Future Trends in the UAE

The emerging HR roles in the UAE focus mainly on strategically integrating data and technology. The following are the most prominent emerging HR roles in the country:

• AI and Automation Specialist
• Talent and People Analytics Manager 
• Employee Experience and Well-Being Manager
• HR Digital Transformation Leader 
• DEI and Culture Officers 
• Sustainability HR Managers 

In the UAE’s HR sector, automation and AI are major future trends, alongside data analytics. 

In terms of employee culture and experience, the maximum focus is on trends like the following:

• Flexibility 
• Reskilling and Upskilling 
• DEI 
• Employee Well-Being 
• Green HRM

Top Employers Hiring HR Professionals in the UAE

The biggest recruiters of HR professionals in the UAE are the staffing and recruitment agencies, HR and consulting services providers, and corporate employers. The table below enumerates the names of the top companies in this regard:

Sector	Companies
Staffing and Recruitment Agencies	MBR Recruitment Connect Resources JAMS HR Solution TASC Outsourcing Tiger RecruitmentMindfield Resources Consultancy PageGroup
HR and Consulting Services	Indicators Consulting Legacy Smart Employment Services Pinpoint Human Resource Consultancy Segments Cloud Computing LLCGini Talent
Corporate	Zennova Realty OceanAir Travels Invest Group Overseas LLC novanosMeraki Group

All these companies have different demands. For example, Zennova Realty is looking for experienced HR recruiters. 

Cities with the Highest HR Job Demand in the UAE

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two cities with the maximum HR job demand in the UAE.

1. Dubai is an international business hub with a diverse economy. This creates a strong demand for HR professionals, especially those skilled in talent development, organisational transformation, and workforce planning. 
2. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, also experiences high demand for HR roles. The city is also trying to diversify its economy, creating a need for HR professionals to manage and implement systems aligned with the government’s emiratisation policies.

Gain an Edge in the UAE HR Job Market with upGrad

upGrad offers advanced online programs in HR, business, and leadership, which are ideal for professionals in the UAE. It is suitable if you want to transition to senior HR positions with attractive salaries or grow in any other related sector. You’ll find programs offering high-value skills and certifications along with personalised guidance and career support.

Some of the courses you can consider include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program from Liverpool Business School 
• Master of Business Administration- Golden Gate University
• Master of Business Administration- Edgewood University, Wisconsin

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