Strong non-oil activity… and a salary boost on the horizon!

As the UAE economy pivots away from oil and rides the wave of growth in sectors like real estate, construction, finance, and tech — there’s a fresh wave of optimism around wages for 2026.

According to the latest Cooper Fitch / Korn Ferry “UAE Salary Guide 2026”, companies across the Emirates are forecasting a general salary increase of around 1.6% to 4%.

But here’s the twist — for roles that are hard-to-fill (think tech, digital transformation, finance, specialized skill-sets), some employers are budgeting for 10% or more salary hikes.

That’s a big deal.

What has just happened — and why it matters

🎯 In 2025: Wages grew by an average of ~2.6% across the board.
📈 In 2026 (forecast): Most companies plan modest raises in the 0–5% range. But for in-demand talent — especially in fields like tech, finance and real estate — double-digit increments are on the table.
📊 Employer sentiment: Around 84% of organisations say they will either raise or maintain salaries — fewer plan cuts or freezes.

In short: for many, 2026 might look like business-as-usual. But for those in the right sectors and with the right skills — it could be a chance to level up.

Why this could trigger a real-estate wave

If you’re working in real estate — or anywhere tangential to it — this data is worth a second look.

• More disposable income: Higher salaries mean more people can think about upgrading homes, investing in property, or moving into better rentals.
• Growing investor confidence: Salary hikes signal stronger economic activity; this tends to boost market confidence in property — good for both developers and agents.
• Demand for talent: The real-estate sector itself could benefit — as demand grows, firms may chase skilled staff or expand operations.

In short: rising salaries don’t just benefit individuals — they ripple out to affect demand, investment, and the broader property market.

Is 2026 your moment?

If you’re in tech, finance, transformation — or real estate itself — now might be the time to:

• Update your CV
• Start conversations with employers about raises or promotions
• Explore property: with rising income, upgrading or investing could make sense

If nothing else — this is a time to stay alert. As the non-oil economy grows, talent demand could shift significantly.