Data science is today an integral part of the UAE job market. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals in the field across various industries, including healthcare, finance, logistics, and others. Naturally, there is more scope for data science jobs in the UAE and other parts of the GCC region.
The data analytics market in the UAE generated revenues of $1,884.8 million in 2024, with forecasts indicating it will reach $5,167.4 million by 2030. As you can see, pursuing a career in data science is a lucrative pathway in the UAE. Here are some key insights that may be helpful.
Data Science Jobs in UAE: Roles, Skills & Salary Insights
There are several high-paying data science jobs for skilled professionals in the UAE. Let us look at some of them below:
| Job Role | Average Salary (AED/Year) | Industries Hiring |
| Data Analyst | 120,000-200,000 | Finance, technology, healthcare, hospitality |
| Data Scientist | 114,000-216,000 | Technology, logistics, retail, healthcare, e-commerce |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 90,000-174,000 | Technology, healthcare, e-commerce |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | 122,886-300,000 | Technology, finance and banking, e-commerce, retail, telecommunications |
| Data Engineer | 144,000-216,000 | E-commerce, banking and finance, IT, consulting |
| AI/ML Researcher | 90,000-174,000 | Fintech, logistics and transportation, healthcare, media, oil and gas, retail |
| Statistician/Data Modeller | 220,109-389,178 | Banking and finance, logistics, e-commerce |
Data Analyst
You will find several full-time and part-time data science jobs in this domain. Professionals need to be skilled in SQL, Excel, data visualisation, Python, and so on. The UAE healthcare, finance, hospitality, and technology sectors hire analysts in large numbers.
Data Scientist
Data scientist jobs in Dubai and several parts of the UAE come with lucrative salaries in Industries like finance, technology, e-commerce, logistics, and retail. You will need expertise in machine learning, R, Python, statistical modeling, data visualisation, statistical analysis, big data platforms, and more.
Machine Learning Engineer
Lucrative data science salaries are one of the biggest perks for machine learning engineers. You will need skills in deploying machine learning models. Other necessary skills include statistical analysis and probability, along with model evaluation, cloud platforms, DevOps, CI/CD, Python, version control, and more. Some of the key industries include big tech companies, cloud providers, finance, healthcare and retail/e-commerce.
Business Intelligence Analyst
This job requires solid data science skills in areas like Tableau, Power BI, SQL, and Python. You will also need some knowledge of R, Qlik, Excel, data reporting, ETL, data modelling, warehousing, etc. Some of the top recruiters include e-commerce, finance, consulting, banking, retail, and technology.
Data Engineer
There are both on-site and remote data science jobs in this field. You can earn lucrative salaries with skills spanning SQL, Python, data warehousing (DWH), AWS, Azure Databricks, and PySpark. Some of the top industries hiring data engineers include banking and financial services, IT, consulting, e-commerce, and more.
AI/ML Researcher
This job requires skill sets like Python, SQL, ML libraries, data wrangling, and feature engineering. Some leading industries hiring researchers include healthcare, fintech, logistics and transportation, e-commerce, retail, media, energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing/supply chain.
Statistician/Data Modeller
Being a statistician or data modeller in the UAE is a lucrative career pathway. Top hiring industries include banking, finance, technology, logistics, e-commerce, and Government organisations. Some of the key skills include programming (R, Python), statistical analysis, data modelling, communication, and data visualisation.
Also Read: Best Data Science Certifications for Professionals in the UAE
Why Is Data Science Thriving in the UAE?
There are several reasons behind the growing popularity of data science careers in the UAE.
- Smart City Projects- Dubai has a defined smart city vision, which depends on the usage of technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), big data, and AI.
- Government Initiatives- The Dubai Data Initiative and Dubai Artificial Intelligence Strategy aim to make the city a global leader in data analytics and AI.
- AI in Government Services- From the Dubai Police using AI systems for predicting policing to traffic management, there is a growing dependence on these technologies.
- Organisational Shifts- More companies are leveraging data for predictive insights, problem-solving, and customer retention.
- Growing Start-up Ecosystem- Dubai has a supportive environment for start-ups, which are backed by the Dubai Future Accelerators and in5, among other incubators.
Also Read: Top Companies Hiring Data Scientists in the UAE
Get Career-Ready with upGrad’s Online Data Science Programs
Build a lucrative career in the UAE with upGrad data science courses from reputed global universities. You will find flexible learning options that help you strategically build your career pathway and land exciting opportunities in the flourishing UAE market. Some of the top options include:
- Executive Diploma in Data Science and AI with IIIT-B
- Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data, Jindal Global University
- Master of Science in Data Science from Liverpool John Moores University
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FAQs on Data Science Jobs in the UAE
Some of the basic qualifications include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or statistics. Proficiency in programming languages like SQL, R, and Python is a must, along with knowledge of data visualisation tools like Power BI and Tableau.
Yes, there is exponential demand for data science jobs in several UAE business sectors. Some of them include healthcare and diagnostics, oil and gas, real estate, retail, e-commerce, finance and banking, transportation, and logistics.
A junior data scientist can expect an average annual salary of approximately AED 96,000-228,000 per year. It varies, depending on experience, skill sets, qualifications, and the location of employment.
While most companies in the UAE prefer data scientists with some experience, many organisations may hire freshers. However, they will look for good qualifications, skill sets, and foundational knowledge of core data science principles in this case.
A master’s degree always adds more heft to any job application. However, even a bachelor’s degree works, provided you have the necessary knowledge of data visualisation tools, analytics, programming, and statistical modelling.
