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Understanding UAE salary packages

Basic salary, allowances, gratuity and how to compare two offers that look similar on paper.

6 min read · Updated 2026-01-15

Professionals comparing compensation documents with a calculator

Key takeaways

  • The headline number is usually a monthly total package.
  • Basic salary drives your end-of-service gratuity.
  • Compare offers on total annual value, including flights and schooling.

How packages are built

A typical package is made up of a basic salary plus housing, transport and sometimes other allowances. Medical insurance is provided by the employer, and many packages add annual flights and, for some roles, school fee support.

Comparing two offers

Convert both offers into an annual total that includes allowances, bonus at target, flights and any schooling contribution. Then check the basic salary split, because a higher basic increases your gratuity at the end of service.