Professionals across the UAE are asking one pressing question heading into 2026: Will I get a salary hike this year? According to new data from the Hays GCC Salary Guide 2026, more workers received raises in 2025 than ever before—but employee expectations are now outpacing what many companies can—or will—offer. With talent shortages persisting and benefits playing a bigger role in job decisions, the battle for fair compensation is heating up.
Last year marked a turning point in Gulf compensation trends. A full 58% of professionals reported receiving a salary increase in 2025, up from just 51% in 2024. Most saw modest bumps—between 2.5% and 5%—while a notable 12% scored raises exceeding 20%, often in high-demand tech or leadership roles.
Yet despite this progress, discontent simmers. Six in ten employees say their current pay doesn’t reflect their workload or responsibilities. This mismatch is fueling turnover and putting pressure on employers who face stiff competition for skilled staff but operate under tight budget constraints.
Optimism is running high among UAE professionals as 2026 unfolds. A striking 78% believe they’ll receive a raise this year, and nearly one in four expect increases above 20%. That’s ambitious—and potentially unrealistic given market realities.
Employers share cautious optimism: 70% plan to increase salarieswithin their organizations, though most anticipate modest adjustments of up to 5%. The gap between what workers hope for and what companies forecast could spark difficult conversations—or prompt more resignations.
The Gulf’s economic engine shows no signs of slowing. In 2025, two-thirds of employers expanded their teams, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading recruitment surges. Growth is concentrated in future-facing industries: technology, banking, construction, property, transport, and logistics.
Looking ahead, companies are prioritizing specialist technical skills, digital expertise, leadership roles, and flexible support functions. There’s also rising demand for contract, freelance, and temporary professionals—a shift driven by project-based needs and cost flexibility.
Even with robust hiring, 90% of organizations reported skills gaps in 2025—some minor, others severe. Why? Employers cite several root causes: uncompetitive pay packages, fierce competition for top talent, outdated education-to-industry pipelines, and limited career advancement paths.
Retention is equally challenging. When employees feel undervalued or see better offers elsewhere, they leave. And with 27% of professionals switching jobs in 2025, the message to employers is clear: salary alone isn’t enough—but getting it wrong is costly.
While money talks, it’s not the only conversation happening in today’s job market. Nearly 40% of UAE professionals are considering a job change in 2026, even if it means staying in a similar role. One major driver? A mismatch in benefits.
Employees increasingly value child education allowances, extra annual leave, flexible schedules, remote work options, and dedicated wellbeing days. Yet many employers still default to basics like standard medical coverage and minimal paid leave. This disconnect is becoming a silent dealbreaker.
“Despite global economic headwinds, the Gulf continues to show remarkable resilience,” says Oliver Kowalski, Managing Director at Hays Middle East. “Strategic investments in non-oil sectors, fiscal reforms, and economic diversification have turned the GCC into a magnet for innovation and opportunity.”
But opportunity must be matched with fairness. As 2026 progresses, companies that align pay, benefits, and career growth with employee expectations won’t just retain talent—they’ll thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For UAE professionals, the message is clear: know your worth, understand market rates, and don’t settle for stagnation. In a region racing toward the future, your skills deserve to be rewarded—fairly and fully.
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