Teacher Salary - Dubai, Abu Dhabi & UAE

Teacher salaries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, the type of institution, and location. How much do teachers get paid in the UAE? How much is a teacher’s salary in Dubai? Teacher’s salary Abu Dhabi? All these are answered below. 

Firstly, it is important to note that there are many factors that will affect the salary you would expect to receive as a teacher in the UAE. Before we give you figures and insight, it is very important to consider that salaries vary from school to school and from teacher to teach. Here are the main factors that will determine teachers’ salary: 

• Experience and Qualifications: More experienced teachers and those with advanced qualifications, such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi), often command higher salaries. 

• Type of School: International schools, especially those offering British or American curricula, tend to offer higher salaries compared to local schools.

• Location: Salaries can vary between emirates, with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi generally offering higher compensation due to the higher cost of living. 

Average Salaries for UK & Irish teachers:

• Primary School Teachers (including PE, Music, MFL and other specialist positions): Expect approximately AED 12,000–20,000 per month. 

  • This may or may not include additional benefits or payments. 

  • For example, if your school pays your accommodation (you take the apartment they offer you), you are likely to get paid at the lower end of this scale. 

  • For those sourcing their own accommodation, the school will pay you a monthly accommodation allowance & therefore your monthly salary will be higher.

• Secondary School Teachers: The expectations will be around AED 14,000–21,000 per month.

  • Same as the above examples in terms of the lower & upper end of the scales; it will depend on other factors such as whether you are in the school offered accommodation.

• Experienced Teachers and Senior Leaders: Between AED 18,000–30,000 per month.

• Heads of Department or Principals: Up to AED 30,000–50,000 per month.

  • But this can go beyond this upper limit depending on the type of school.

  • In the Emirates there are Premium Plus schools which can go higher than AED 50,000. 

At the time of writing, here is an approximate translation to EUR & GBP: 

Amount (AED)	Equivalent in EUR	Equivalent in GBP
12,000	€3,114.03	£2,595.72
20,000	€5,190.06	£4,326.20

Note: Exchange rates fluctuate regularly. For the most current rates, consider using reliable currency conversion services.

Variations by Emirate:

• Dubai: The average salary for a teacher is around AED 11,000 per month. This is however probably ‘basic pay’ and does not include rent or accommodation. However, it is very important to note that this will vary depending on experience and the fees the school are charging; the higher the school fees, the higher the average salary and benefits the school will pay. 

• Abu Dhabi: Teachers can expect salaries ranging from AED 12,300 to 20,400 per month. Again, there are add-ons. The lower end of this scale might not include rent or accommodation allowance that the schools must legally provide. For the upper range here (AED 20,000) ist is likely that the school will include  

Additional Benefits:

Many teaching positions in the UAE offer benefits such as housing allowances or provided accommodation, health insurance, annual airfare allowances, and end-of-contract bonuses. These benefits significantly enhance the overall compensation package, allowing for potential savings given the tax-free income in the UAE.