The 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Abu Dhabi
As the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the country’s second-most populous city, Abu Dhabi is full of exciting work opportunities.
If you’re interested in working here, this guide to the most in-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi will teach you everything you need to know. Read on to learn about the employment landscape in the city, the most in-demand skills, the most in-demand jobs, and how to find them.
How Is the Employment Landscape in Abu Dhabi?
The employment landscape in Abu Dhabi was badly affected in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic — the unemployment rate increased to 5 percent that year, which was a 2.72 percent increase from the 2019 rate of just 2.28 percent.
However, things are starting to look up in Abu Dhabi and throughout the UAE. In fact, 72 percent of businesses throughout the country (including many in and around Abu Dhabi) have plans to hire new employees within the coming year.
In 2022, there will also be a particularly significant increase in the number of remote jobs available throughout Abu Dhabi. The results of one survey even found that 51 percent of employees in Abu Dhabi were working remotely post-pandemic, compared to just 18 percent who were working from home beforehand.
What Are the Top Skills in Demand in Abu Dhabi?
There is a significant skill shortage in Abu Dhabi in the following industries: energy, healthcare, life sciences (pharmaceuticals, biotech, etc.), and finance. As a result of these skill shortages, the majority of job openings in this city are in these fields.
Those who are looking for work in Abu Dhabi should keep track of the top skills in demand, including the following:
- Digital Literacy: IT spending is expected to reach $171 billion in the Middle East and North African regions, which means many businesses in Abu Dhabi will be looking for tech-savvy, digitally literate professionals who can help them modernize their companies.
- Human Resources: Plenty of businesses throughout the city are looking for professionals with experience in human resource and personnel management, especially as hiring efforts start to increase.
- Finance and Accounting: The finance sector is growing rapidly in Abu Dhabi, which means that there are lots of opportunities for financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals with good money management skills and investment knowledge.
- English and Arabic Communication: A survey conducted by Bayt.com found that 57 percent of companies in Abu Dhabi are looking for employees who can communicate in Arabic and English — both in writing and orally.
- Leadership: According to the same Bayt.com survey, the ability to take charge, take responsibility for personal and team projects are very important to 38 percent of employers in Abu Dhabi in 2022.
- Business Management: Those who have a background in business management or project management will be qualified for a wide range of jobs in Abu Dhabi in the coming year.
- Engineering: In addition to a demand for those with tech experience, there is also high demand in Abu Dhabi for engineering experts, particularly those who can work in the energy sector.
- Sales and Marketing: Per Bayt.com, 34 percent of businesses in Abu Dhabi need help from sales and marketing experts, particularly those that are looking to expand and globalize their efforts.
- E-Commerce: As more businesses shift to an online sales model, those with e-commerce experience and skills will find lots of job openings in Abu Dhabi.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: All positions in Abu Dhabi, especially remote positions, require a great deal of flexibility and the ability to pivot when situations change.
Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs and Expected Salary in Abu Dhabi
Listed below are the top 20 most in-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi, complete with salary information and a list of the companies that are currently hiring.
Front-end web developers build the portions of websites and web apps that users see and interact with on their computers and mobile devices. They use web languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to help users access and interact with the website or app.
Expected Salary: AED 243,285 per year
Companies Hiring: Mythrifa, Halian, Dx Compliance Solutions
Browse Front-End Developer Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Full stack developers work with both the back end (or server side) of websites and applications and the front end. They have extensive knowledge of coding languages, as well as experience with graphic design and UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) design.
Expected Salary: AED 292,672 per year
Companies Hiring: Dev Technosys UAE, Mythrifa, Alef Education
Browse Full Stack Developer Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Cybersecurity architects are senior-level tech employees. They are responsible for planning, designing, testing, implementing, and maintaining all aspects of a company’s computer and network security infrastructure.
Expected Salary: AED 335,939 per year
Companies Hiring: Siemens Energy, Bitoasis, Honeywell
Browse Cybersecurity Architect Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
IT project managers oversee the planning, execution, and delegation of responsibilities for all of a company’s information technology (or IT) projects and goals.
Expected Salary: AED 258,254 per year
Companies Hiring: Logesys, City Computer Company, Penspen International
Browse IT Project Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Registered nurses care for patients, administer medication, check vital signs, communicate with doctors, and communicate with patients’ families.
Expected Salary: AED 243,810 per year
Companies Hiring: Mantech, Al Shifa Medical Center, Hive C DMCC
Browse Registered Nurse Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze patients’ bodily fluids and tissues. They often work in hospitals, but they may also work in doctor’s offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Expected Salary: AED 142,066 per year
Companies Hiring: Al Futtaim, NMC Healthcare, National Reference Laboratory
Browse Laboratory Technician Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Physicians are responsible for diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses. They also perform physical exams, prescribe medications, and order and interpret diagnostic tests.
Expected Salary: AED 605,000 per year
Companies Hiring: Reyada Home Health Care Services, HR Search Plus, Axios International
Browse Physician Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Regional sales managers distribute and sell a company’s products or services in a particular area. They manage and support the region’s sales teams, keep them motivated, and ensure that they reach their sales targets.
Expected Salary: AED 250,252 per year
Companies Hiring: Frost and Sullivan, Inc., Amgen
Browse Life Sciences Regional Sales Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Marketing managers build awareness of a brand. They do this by developing and executing marketing strategies that meet consumer needs and help the company to maximize profits.
Expected Salary: AED 220,000 per year
Companies Hiring: QIAGEN, AstraZeneca
Browse Life Sciences Marketing Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
An E-Commerce marketing specialist oversees the development and maintenance of an online store. They must also review business analytics and create and execute new marketing strategies.
Expected Salary: AED 230,125 per year
Companies Hiring: Star Services, Granite Construction Company, Initiate International
Browse E-Commerce Marketing Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Retail sales staffers work in stores throughout Abu Dhabi and have a wide range of responsibilities, including greeting customers, offering customers assistance, and making recommendations.
Expected Salary: AED 69,059 per year
Companies Hiring: Easyto Chemicals, MUMUSO, Duozoulu
Browse Retail Sales Staff Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Human resources managers work at all kinds of companies, from small businesses to large corporations. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new employees.
Expected Salary: AED 261,468 per year
Companies Hiring: Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, Graviton Interiors
Browse Human Resources Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A talent acquisition manager recruits, hires, and creates a plan to retain talented employees. They also handle the planning, development, and implementation of the company’s talent acquisition strategy.
Expected Salary: AED 246,470 per year
Companies Hiring: Alert HR Solutions, Robert Walters, Quest Search and Selection
Browse Talent Acquisition Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Operations managers oversee the big picture of an organization. They manage all kinds of processes, from purchasing and accounting to human resources and inventory management.
Expected Salary: AED 421,000 per year
Companies Hiring: Ayca Global, ABB Group, Al Geemi Contracting
Browse Oil and Gas Operations Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Logistics managers plan, manage, and monitor the logistics that allow businesses to distribute products throughout the world. Many military and government agencies employ logistics managers, as does the oil and gas industry.
Expected Salary: AED 283,000 per year
Companies Hiring: Star Services, Weatherford
Browse Oil and Gas Logistics Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Estimating and cost managers examine blueprints, estimate costs, create quotes, and set prices for clients. They also negotiate and make modifications to orders and develop proposals for specific jobs.
Expected Salary: AED 262,452 per year
Companies Hiring: WTS Energy, Dodsal Engineering and Construction
Browse Oil and Gas Estimating/Cost Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
Sales engineers have high-level technical skills, which they use to explain the benefits of various technological products and services to a company’s potential customers. They are responsible for showing clients and customers why their products or services are superior.
Expected Salary: AED 316,432 per year
Companies Hiring: Trend Micro, Ramada Lubricants Trading
Browse Sales Engineer Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A director of sales manages the work of other salespeople within a company. They must also create and oversee the execution of an effective selling strategy.
Expected Salary: AED 346,079 per year
Companies Hiring: Emerson Middle East Africa, Pink Neon Advertising, Dusit International
Browse Director of Sales Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
A communications manager promotes a company’s mission, as well as its products and services. They make sure that all of the business’s messaging aligns with its values, too.
Expected Salary: AED 281,884 per year
Companies Hiring: Apco Worldwide, Pink Neon Advertising, ADNOC Group
Browse Communications Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
IT support analysts assist customers and their colleagues to resolve a variety of tech-related issues, including those related to computer hardware and software.
Expected Salary: AED 185,542 per year
Companies Hiring: Citi Bank, Halian, ManPower Group Middle East
Browse IT Support Analyst Jobs in Abu Dhabi on GrabJobs
How to Find a Job in High Demand in Abu Dhabi
If you’re interested in applying for one of the most in-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi, you have a few different options. Here are some tips to help you find job openings and apply for them as quickly as possible:
Check Online Job Boards
Find openings for the most in-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi by checking online job boards like GrabJobs. It’s updated several times per day and used by thousands of companies all over the world (including many that are based in Abu Dhabi).
Visit Local Job Sites
Local job sites also alert you to openings for high-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi, including the job search portals created by the UAE government and the Abu Dhabi government.
Peruse Freelance Job Sites
Apply for the Most In-Demand Jobs in Abu Dhabi Today
With the job market making a comeback in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of jobs available throughout the city, particularly in industries with a significant skill shortage.
Now that you know more about the most high-demand jobs in Abu Dhabi, it’s time to start applying. Check out GrabJobs today and use our free search tool to find openings that align with your specific needs and preferences.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
