Dubai is one of the fastest-growing commercial hubs that attract businesses from every part of the world. Besides established companies, new startups and SMEs are continuously searching for fresh talent in the emirate. Whether you’re a college student looking to forge your career path or a professional seeking a new challenge, understanding the various trending careers in the UAE represents essential knowledge. For those considering a job change or looking to move to the country, we’ve rounded up the most in-demand jobs in Dubai.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IN-DEMAND JOBS IN DUBAI?

Global economies are slowly recovering after being struck hard by COVID-19. And the same trend is seen in the UAE. Employment opportunities, especially in some industries, increase with every passing day. You’ll find many private and government jobs for expats in the UAE, and some professions take precedence over others in terms of demand.

So, let’s now check out the top in-demand job roles in Dubai for 2022.

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE JOBS

With the corporate landscape rapidly evolving, businesses are looking for streamlined financial processes to achieve cost efficiency and set targets. There is good demand for professionals in the accounting and finance sector, from startups and SMEs to multinationals.

The most sought-after occupations in Dubai for accounting and finance include:

• Management Accountants
• Chief Financial Officers
• Financial Analysts
• Head of Internal Audit
• Treasury Director

JOBS IN RISK AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT

Also included in the list of most in-demand jobs in Dubai for 2022 are positions for risk managers and security analysts. With most companies going entirely digital and adopting new technologies, there is a greater threat to data and business security. Now companies want to hire in-house professionals who can foresee, inspect and mitigate these risks.

The occupations in Dubai that are most in-demand in this context include:

• Risk Managers
• Security Analysts
• Cyber Security Architects

DIGITALISATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE JOBS

Belonging to the Artificial Intelligence or Digitalisation sectors can boost your chances of getting a job in Dubai by several folds.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Employers’ increasing reliance on new technologies has led to high demand for professionals in this sector. Today there is a healthy need for AI specialists for in-house technology teams in Dubai. Besides landing a high-paying job in Dubai, Artificial Intelligence specialists can also apply for a long-term UAE residency visa.

DIGITALISATION

If you have relevant experience in digital transformation or have led a company’s digitalisation, you qualify for one of Dubai’s top in-demand job roles for 2022. With Dubai at the forefront of digital prowess, modernisation in businesses is inevitable.

As more and more companies, including startups and SMEs, switch to digital practices and remote work models in the country, the demand for software development professionals and people who can manage or implement digital transformation is rising. Various technical jobs like developers (front-end, full-stack), cyber security expert, cloud engineer and IT project management are available on the market.

RECRUITMENT AND HR JOBS IN DUBAI

Belonging to the fields of HR and talent acquisition is a plus if you’re looking for a career in Dubai. With the labour laws regularly updated to create a secure and healthy work environment for employees, there is a tremendous demand for HR professionals. Similarly, companies need to find exceptional talent that is also the right fit for the organisation – this is where talent acquisition specialists come into play.

Candidates with experience in launching employee well-being and mental health support initiatives get the upper hand. Also, when reviewing candidates’ CVs, employers emphasise work-life balance, achievements related to employee engagement, workplace culture, and performance management.

So, if you specialise in compensation and benefits or finding the right person for the right job – keep a lookout for job vacancies in Dubai. You can find good-paying jobs in Dubai if you fall in one of the following categories:

• HR Managers
• HR Business Partners
• Talent Acquisition Specialists

JOBS IN DUBAI’S LEGAL SECTOR

The UAE has a comprehensive legal framework that efficiently regulates the corporate and social aspects of the life of residents. As Dubai broadens its legal horizon to accommodate the rapidly evolving global business landscape, there is a need for efficient legal professionals, exceptionally fluent in dispute resolution, FinTech and financial regulations.

If you’re looking for high demand jobs in Dubai’s legal sector, you can find employment in the following roles:

• Legal Counsel
• Paralegal
• Legal Assistant

OTHER HIGH DEMAND JOBS IN DUBAI

Different job sites in the UAE also round up the most in-demand jobs in Dubai. According to the top-rated job portals in the UAE, these are the most commonly advertised jobs by companies in Dubai.

ENGINEERS

Engineering is another career field that includes some of the top Dubai jobs in demand. Foreign engineers specialising in chemical or petroleum engineering can find good, high paying jobs in Dubai, thanks to the abundance of oil rigs and refineries in the region. Engineers belonging to the mechanical, aerospace and electronics industries also have a great scope of finding well-paying job opportunities in Dubai.

• Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electronics Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

Operations, project, logistics and cost managers are trending jobs in the country’s oil and gas sector. In line with the UAE’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many companies are now looking for individuals who have prior experience dealing with technology, mainly cloud-based data and AI.

DATA-ENTRY SPECIALISTS OR ADMIN ASSISTANTS

Business support and administration is essential for companies to continue operating smoothly. Data entry specialists and administrative assistants ensure that businesses, both big and small, function efficiently, establish a stronger industry presence, build networking relationships, and maintain a proper information database and documentation.

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SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING SPECIALISTS

Marketing is a core component of success for any business. Hence, jobs in this line are never going out of demand. However, with most companies striving to create a fabulous online presence, the job market has shifted towards more digital marketing related jobs – opening up several other career avenues for job seekers in Dubai.

You have good chances of landing a well-paying job in Dubai if you specialise in marketing, digital marketing or other related fields. The job roles in Dubai garnering the highest demand for the marketing and digital industries include:

• Marketing Managers and Specialists
• Digital Marketing Managers and Specialists
• Content Marketing Managers, Executives and Specialists
• SEO Managers and Specialists
• Social Media Managers and Specialists

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS

Software developers, too, can get some of the most in-demand jobs in the UAE and Dubai. The business-friendly policies of the emirate have made starting a business in Dubai fairly easy, which has led to the launch of many new tech startups.

Consequently, there has been perennial demand for software developers and programmers needed for these startups to thrive and flourish. Companies in Dubai’s prime business districts are always looking for good talent specialising in software programming and development.

EVERGREEN HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS IN DUBAI

While the demand for some careers in Dubai fluctuates now and then, some job categories never go out of the market given industry requirements.

DOCTORS AND NURSES

Even without a pandemic at large, doctors and nurses in Dubai have always been in great demand to keep up with the emirate’s progressive healthcare system. Frontline nurses and doctors have become some of the highest in-demand jobs in Dubai in 2022.

The pandemic has been a major driver behind the increasing demand for medical roles. Regardless of their size, healthcare organisations are looking to streamline their operations to address the changing medical needs of patients and keep pace with the testing requirements.

Once foreign healthcare professionals obtain the DHA licence, they can practice the profession at any of the popular hospitals in Dubai. Healthcare jobs, especially doctors, are among the highest paying jobs in Dubai.

TEACHERS

One of the major goals of the Ministry of Education is to ensure quality education that is inclusive and equitable for all. This has led to a healthy demand for teachers in Dubai and across the UAE.

Foreign teachers need to qualify for the teaching licence in Dubai to become a part of the emirate’s innovative education system. Salaries offered for teaching jobs in Dubai are usually based on the candidate’s experience level.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS

Another set of in-demand jobs in Dubai is found in the tourism and hospitality industry. Dubai has a healthy tourism sector that caters to visitors from across the globe. Hence there is a perennial need for:

• Tour Guides
• Hotel and restaurant managers
• Restaurateurs
• Chefs
• Cleaning and Housekeeping staff

RETAIL MANAGEMENT

Dubai is home to some of the world’s most popular malls. Naturally, it is one of the more prominent employment sectors in the emirate. With more tourists expected to visit the city, the need for store managers, sales staff, trainers and other such roles will increase.

Even though most retail businesses switched to online shopping after authorities implemented movement restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, they still need staff for the physical stores. Many new brands are expected to launch their stores in the UAE in 2022, which will lead to more jobs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHICH SKILLS CAN INCREASE MY CHANCES OF GETTING A JOB IN DUBAI?

Many UAE employers prefer that candidates have good communication skills in English and Arabic. They also look at leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure. To enhance your chances of employment, don’t forget to make your CV stand out in Dubai.

WHAT JOBS PAY THE MOST IN DUBAI?

Salary packages may vary from company to company, but some careers earn better than others. Some of the highest paying jobs in Dubai include:

• Chemical and Petroleum Engineers
• Artificial Intelligence Specialists
• Doctors
• Financial Analysts and CFOs

IS AED 6,000 A GOOD SALARY IN DUBAI?

A good salary may vary based on your requirements, lifestyle and family status. A major chunk of the living cost in Dubai is taken up by rent. For a salary of AED 6,000, you can easily find reasonable accommodation in Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Al Nahda without being cash strapped for other essentials.

CAN I LIVE IN DUBAI WITHOUT A JOB?

There are several types of visas in Dubai that allow you to stay in the emirate legally. However, the most common type is the residency visa issued to you based on a valid work permit. You can live in Dubai without a job if you have the necessary visa. This can include and is not limited to the Dubai residency visa for remote workers or the retirement visa in Dubai.

DO I NEED A WORK PERMIT TO START A JOB IN DUBAI?

The minimum age of employment in Dubai is 18. Foreign job seekers above 18 and who fulfil other criteria of working in Dubai are eligible for the Dubai work permit. Your work permit is applied for by your employer, who is also responsible for paying your UAE work permit fee and its renewal when due.

There you have it – the complete roundup of high demand jobs in Dubai. While the emirate remains a highly sought-after destination for people worldwide seeking better job opportunities and career growth, some strict regulations and protocols govern expats working in Dubai. You can work part-time in the UAE, even when it comes to some of the most in-demand jobs in Dubai, as long as you fit the bill.