Did you know that graduating with an MBA degree in the UAE can unlock lucrative career pathways in multiple sectors? MBA programs are gaining popularity in the region, with graduates attracted to the exciting opportunities available in a flourishing global business environment.
MBA degrees in the UAE may lead to substantial salary increases, with reports indicating average salaries of up to AED 360,000 for specific roles in 2025 and even higher for specialised fields. In this context, knowing more about the average MBA salaries across multiple business sectors will help you plan your career trajectory more confidently.
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What Is the Average Salary for MBA Graduates in the UAE?
Here is a brief round-up of the average MBA salary you can expect in the UAE.
| Job Role | Entry-Level (per year) | Mid-Level (per year) | Senior-Level (per year) |
| Business Development Manager | AED 102,000-121,000 | AED 150-200,000 | AED 240-300,000 and upwards |
| Marketing Manager | AED 60,000-84,000 | AED 84,000-144,000 | AED 180,000-300,000 |
| Financial Analyst | AED 86,000-100,000 | AED 100,000-150,000 | AED 150,000 and upwards |
| Operations Manager | AED 72,000-108,000 | AED 132,000-174,000 | AED 190,000 and upwards |
| Product Manager | AED 190,000-240,000 | AED 250,000-300,000 | AED 300,000-350,000 and upwards |
| Strategy Consultant | AED 200,000-240,000 | AED 250,000-300,000 | AED 350,000 and upwards |
| HR Manager | AED 120,000-150,000 | AED 150,000-210,000 | AED 210,000-270,000 |
| Project Manager | AED 70,000-150,000 | AED 150,000-250,000 | AED 250,000-400,000 |
Business Development Manager
The average salary of someone with an MBA is lucrative in this category. High salaries are usually offered across in-demand sectors like oil and gas, technology, healthcare, and finance. Locations like Abu Dhabi and Dubai have higher salaries than other parts of the UAE.
Marketing Manager
Your average income with an MBA in the UAE will be decent if you work as a marketing manager. The retail, real estate, and marketing sectors are the highest-paying in this domain.
Financial Analyst
An MBA degree salary as a financial analyst will be exponentially higher than many other positions at the senior level. Private equity, investment banking, and multinational financial conglomerates usually offer higher salaries in this domain.
Operations Manager
Your master of business administration salary as an operations manager will be quite lucrative, considering how entry and mid-level professionals earn handsomely in industries like oil and gas, technology, e-commerce, real estate, and more.
Product Manager
Product managers get sizeable ROI on their MBA salary, especially in sectors like IT and consulting. These jobs have attractive salaries and perks in Dubai due to the concentration of technology companies here.
Strategy Consultant
As a strategy consultant, your MBA earnings will be in the upper tier, based on the location, experience, and industry. Top-tier consulting firms usually pay more in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
HR Manager
HR managers earn lucrative salaries in the UAE, especially in industries like oil and gas, shipping, healthcare, and others. Entry-level salaries may be slightly lower, although they increase substantially for senior-level positions.
Project Manager
Project managers earn attractive salaries after completing their MBAs in the UAE. Variations depend on the location and industry, with some sectors like IT, engineering, and construction paying more for skilled graduates.
Also Read: Executive MBA vs Traditional MBA in the UAE
Factors Influencing MBA Salaries in the UAE
There are several factors influencing average MBA salaries in the UAE, including the following:
- Location: Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi may have higher salaries.
- Industry- The industry you work in has a direct impact on your compensation.
- Experience- Your professional experience directly determines your salary.
- Institute Reputation- The reputation of your business school also matters.
- Job Function- Critical job functions like consulting, investment banking, etc., may command higher salaries.
- Global exposure- Whether you have cross-cultural insights is something companies often look for.
How upGrad Helps UAE Learners Increase MBA ROI
In a competitive job market, getting the most out of your MBA degree is vital. You can count on upGrad’s globally recognised and cutting-edge MBA programmes at leading universities. Learn at your own pace and develop the skills necessary to carve your niche in the UAE job market.
Here are some courses worth considering from upGrad:
- Master of Business Administration, Golden Gate University
- Master of Business Administration, Edgewood University
- MBA to DBA Pathway, Golden Gate University
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FAQs on Average Salary for an MBA Graduate in UAE
Yes, MBA salaries may vary by specialisation in the UAE. So, whether you work as a product manager, HR manager, marketing manager, or business development manager, the job role and specialisation will influence your compensation directly across sectors.
Several high-paying industries have lucrative compensation packages for MBA graduates in the UAE. Some of them include oil and gas, technology, real estate, healthcare, and finance.
Experience directly influences MBA salary packages in the UAE. Entry-level professionals with 0-1 years of experience will get lower salaries to begin with, and this increases with 2-5 years of experience. Once you gain more than 10 years of experience, you can get higher salaries that come with senior-level positions.
Yes, online MBA programmes offered by reputed providers like upGrad in collaboration with top global universities are recognised by UAE employers. They are known for their advanced curricula that prepare learners for the intricacies of the UAE job market.
In many industries like technology, salaries in Dubai may be a little higher than in other Emirates. This has a lot to do with the higher concentration of companies and industries in the Emirate and the higher costs of living as well.
