How we calculate what your work is worth

How salary estimates are calculated

For every role, city, and experience level, we cross-reference 3 independent published GCC salary reports: the Bayt Salary Report 2024, the Robert Half GCC Salary Guide, and the Cooper Fitch GCC Salary Survey. We report the median rather than the average, because a few very high or very low figures distort an average and the median better reflects what a typical person in that role actually earns. Alongside the median we show a range — the lower and upper bounds capture where the sources place most earners, not absolute extremes.

We apply a city adjustment factor to base figures, calibrated against published regional market data for each city. All pages currently cover 25 roles across 9 cities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Data sources

Our figures are derived from three annual GCC salary reports widely used by HR professionals and recruiters across the Gulf. Each surveys tens of thousands of compensation data points collected directly from employers and employees in the region. We combine all three rather than relying on any single source, because each has different coverage strengths and methodology. The result is a range that reflects real-market consensus rather than one report’s snapshot.

We do not currently incorporate self-reported individual submissions, though we plan to add that data layer as submission volume grows. When we do, source type will be clearly labelled on each page.

Data confidence levels

Not every range is equally solid, and we refuse to pretend otherwise. Each is assessed against the following confidence model:

Geographic coverage

Addify currently covers 9 cities across 6 countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Coverage depth varies by market — major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha are represented directly in all three source reports; smaller cities use regional adjustment factors derived from published data. We expand to additional cities as reliable source data becomes available.

Update frequency

Salary ranges are reviewed annually when new editions of our reference reports are published. Current figures reflect the 2024–2025 GCC market.

Every salary page shows when its underlying data was last reviewed, so you are never reading a number without knowing how fresh it is.

Limitations

We are deliberately upfront about what these numbers can and cannot tell you:

• Source surveys carry their own biases. Published salary reports gather data from their own respondent pools, which may skew toward certain sectors, company sizes, or nationalities. Combining three reports reduces but does not eliminate this.
• City adjustments are approximations. For cities with less direct report coverage, we apply a regional factor derived from published data. These are calibrated estimates, not direct survey results.
• Total compensation varies. Housing allowance, visa status, mainland versus free zone, and bonuses all shift real take-home pay in ways a single range cannot fully capture. We include housing estimates where source data supports it.
• We are a benchmark, not an offer. Your actual number depends on the employer, your negotiation, and your specific experience. Use our range to prepare, not as a guarantee.

Found a figure that looks wrong? Tell us at hello@addify.ae — corrections improve the dataset for everyone.