Salaries in HR and business administration have fallen by an average of 1.24%. This fall has been driven by an 8% median salary fall for HR Directors, while salaries for all other roles in the sector remain stable. Companies are trying to elevate their HR teams to be best in class. After the pandemic, finance and legal were the priorities for many organisations but now the investment is focused on developing HR and L&D functions, as well as focusing on talent development as this is crucial for succession planning and building a strong, sustainable workforce for the future. Organisations are looking for HR experts with transformation experience, particularly those who are planning to automate systems and procedures over the next few years. Two-thirds (65%) of HR and administration workers agree that AI and automation will have a net positive impact on their job roles and career prospects, but it is important that employers invest in training to ensure workers have the right skills.
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Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, the company’s size, and demand for the role.
HR leadership Recruitment Learning and development Compensation and benefits Administration
Position title 25th Percentile 50th Percentile 75th Percentile Chief Head of HR (CHRO) 284000 315500 406000 HR Director 228750 294000 349500 Head of HR 175000 225000 316000 Regional HR Manager 133500 159000 200000 HR Manager/HR Business Partner 83500 112250 137750 Senior HR Officer/Junior HR Business Partner 50000 66750 91750 HR Officer 31250 46000 66250
25th Percentile
The applicant has limited or no experience in the position and is still developing their skills.
50th Percentile
The applicant has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.
75th Percentile
The applicant has above-average experience, has (nearly) all necessary skills, and may also have specialised qualifications.

Top jobs in HR

HR generalist Talent acquisition manager Head of HR HR director

Top skills and experience in HR

Transformation experience Restructuring experience New HR systems (e.g. Workday) Data analytics

How much should I pay or earn?

Top certifications and degrees in HR

CIPD HR Management degrees LLM Employment Law Psychology degrees

Top industries for HR specialists

Financial services FMCG / E-commerce Tech Renewable energy

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the United Arab Emirates. The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels. Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is from two online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by research consultancy Savanta. In May 2024, Robert Half commissioned a survey of 103 senior business decision makers in the UAE with hiring responsibilities. In August 2024, Robert Half commissioned a survey of 521 professionals living and working in the UAE. Both surveys used an online data collection methodology, and drew respondents from different business sectors and areas of the UAE.
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