UAE Salary Guide for AI and Data Science Professionals (2025)
- Radu Lupescu
- Jun 7
- 3 min read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science are rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after and best-compensated fields in the UAE. As government entities, private enterprises, and tech startups continue to invest in digital transformation and automation, the demand for AI specialists, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and analytics experts is rising steadily across key sectors.
The UAE Vision 2031 and 2071 strategies have further reinforced the national focus on knowledge-based economies, smart governance, and AI leadership, opening new opportunities for professionals in the field. This 2025 salary guide helps employers and job seekers understand current market expectations, trends, and salary benchmarks for AI and Data roles in the UAE.
AI and Data Talent Trends in the UAE
As of 2025, AI and data talent is in high demand across sectors including:
Government and Smart City Projects (e.g., Dubai’s Smart City initiatives)
Financial Services and Fintech
Healthcare and Medical Analytics
Retail, E-commerce, and Customer Personalisation
Energy and Sustainability Modelling
Telecommunications and 5G Infrastructure
Key hiring trends include:
Shift toward hybrid roles combining engineering, modelling, and stakeholder communication
Increased demand for professionals skilled in Python, SQL, cloud platforms, and deep learning frameworks
Preference for locally based talent with regional experience or knowledge of Arabic-language NLP models
UAE AI & Data Science Salary Benchmarks (2025)
Salaries in AI and Data Science vary depending on the employer (government, multinational, or startup), experience level, and domain expertise.
Below are typical monthly gross salary ranges (AED) for full-time, in-office roles in the UAE.
Data Leadership
Position | From | To |
Chief Data Officer | 80,000 | 120,000 |
Head/Director of Data Analytics | 55,000 | 80,000 |
Head/Director of Data Science | 55,000 | 80,000 |
Head/Director of Data Management/Engineering | 50,000 | 70,000 |
Head/Director of Governance | 50,000 | 70,000 |
Data Management & Governance
Position | From | To |
Data Governance/Management Manager | 35,000 | 50,000 |
Data Architect | 35,000 | 55,000 |
Data Governance Specialist | 20,000 | 35,000 |
Data Quality Analyst | 15,000 | 25,000 |
Data Engineering
Position | From | To |
Data Engineering Manager | 40,000 | 55,000 |
Data Engineer | 30,000 | 40,000 |
Cloud Data Engineer | 35,000 | 45,000 |
ETL Developer | 20,000 | 35,000 |
Database Administrator (DBA) | 15,000 | 20,000 |
Analytics, Insights and Intelligence
Position | From | To |
Data Analytics Manager | 35,000 | 60,000 |
Strategic and Business Insights | 30,000 | 50,000 |
Customer/Market Insights | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Business Intilligence Manager | 30,000 | 50,000 |
Business Intelligence Analyst | 20,000 | 30,000 |
Data Visualisation Specialist | 20,000 | 30,000 |
Data Analyst | 20,000 | 30,000 |
Data Science
Position | From | To |
Data Science Manager | 40,000 | 60,000 |
Data Scientist | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Applied Data Scientist | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Research Scientist | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Data Product Managers | 40,000 | 65,000 |
Artificial Intelligence
Position | From | To |
AI Researcher | 30,000 | 40,000 |
Robotics Engineer | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Machine Learning Engineer | 35,000 | 55,000 |
AI Engineer | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Computer Vision Specialist | 30,000 | 45,000 |
NLP/LLM or Technique Specialist | 30,000 | 45,000 |
AI Product Manager | 35,000 | 55,000 |
Factors Influencing AI and Data Salaries in the UAE
Several variables impact the compensation offered for AI and data roles:
Industry: Government and financial services typically pay higher salaries than startups or education.
Experience and Certifications: Advanced degrees (PhD or MSc), certifications (e.g., TensorFlow Developer, AWS Machine Learning), and project portfolios increase earning potential.
Location: Salaries in Dubai and Abu Dhabi tend to be higher than in Sharjah or the northern emirates.
Emiratisation: UAE nationals in tech roles are increasingly sought after and may receive added benefits under Emiratisation incentives.
Benefits and Perks Commonly Offered
Beyond base salary, many employers in the UAE provide competitive packages that include:
Annual flight allowances
Private health insurance
Flexible or remote working options (especially in AI startups)
Relocation allowance (for international hires)
Gratuity and end-of-service benefits as per UAE Labour Law
Some senior tech professionals are also offered retention bonuses, stock options, or performance-based incentives—particularly in AI-focused startups or multinational R&D divisions.
Final Thoughts
The UAE continues to position itself as a global AI and data hub, and 2025 brings more opportunities than ever before for professionals in these fields. With high government investment in emerging technologies, an expanding innovation ecosystem, and world-class infrastructure, AI and Data Science professionals in the UAE enjoy strong demand and competitive salaries.
If you’re a hiring manager, staying informed about market benchmarks is key to attracting and retaining top tech talent. For job seekers, the UAE remains one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking markets in the region.