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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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FAQs on Highest Paying HR Jobs in UAE
Q: Which industries pay HR professionals the most in the UAE?
Ans:Several industries offer lucrative salaries to HR professionals. Some of them include technology, finance, healthcare, and oil and gas. It depends on which sectors are booming in the current scenario.
Q:Do certifications like CIPD or SHRM boost HR salaries in the UAE?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to increase your HR salary in the UAE by obtaining certifications such as SHRM and CIPD. You should research relevant certifications that may help you advance your career accordingly.
Q: What roles can HR generalists grow into for better pay?
Ans: HR generalists can advance into several key roles to earn higher compensation. These include HR Director, Learning and Development Manager, HR Business Partner, Talent Development Lead, Talent Acquisition Head, and many others.
Q: Can remote or hybrid HR roles in the UAE pay equally well?
Ans: Yes, hybrid or remote HR roles in the UAE pay equally well. It depends on the company you’re working for, specific HR policies, the job role, and many other factors.
Q: Which field in HR pays the most?
Ans: Some of the highest-paying HR fields include CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer), Compensation and Benefits Manager, HR Analytics, Organisational Development and Consulting.
