Dubai: The allure of tax-free salaries is drawing a wave of European tech talent eastward, with companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia poised to benefit from a potential tech worker exodus.
A study by Hays, a workforce solutions and recruitment company, reveals that tax-free salaries in the UAE are a major draw for skilled tech professionals. This financial advantage, combined with strong market conditions and a focus on innovation, is creating a wealth of career opportunities for specialists looking to leverage their skills.
Beyond Salary: Development opportunities and exciting projects
The study highlights reasons beyond salary that are motivating European tech professionals to seek new opportunities. Lack of development opportunities, limited career progression, and a lack of challenging roles are also significant factors.
"Organizations in the UAE can address the tech industry's thirst for involvement in AI and participation in exciting projects," said Hart. The study found that 82% of EMEA tech professionals desire AI training, and 40% prioritize challenging roles and projects as a key factor when searching for a new position.
UAE leads in salary increases and focuses on AI
The Hays' Tech Talent Explorer surveyed over 5,000 IT specialists across 20 EMEA countries. The results show that 22% of tech professionals based in the Middle East expect a salary increase of 20% or more this year, compared to less than 10% in Europe.
Hart anticipates continued recruitment by UAE-based companies throughout 2024 and well into 2025. "Technology plays a critical role in business innovation, digital transformation, and keeping up with competition," he explained. "As a result, technology professionals will be paramount. There's a current focus on AI positions, with cybersecurity becoming increasingly important."
Salary Comparison: Europe vs. Middle East
The Hays study provides a comparison of average salaries for key IT positions across the EMEA region:
Network Engineer
Middle East: EUR 74,900 (AED 298,500)
Czech Republic: EUR 31,000 (AED 123,500)
Spain: EUR 33,000 (AED 131,500)
Data Engineer
Middle East: EUR 90,000 (AED 358,700)
Italy: EUR 45,750 (AED 182,300)
Portugal: EUR 48,000 (AED 191,300)
Security Engineer
GCC: EUR 105,000 (AED 418,500)
Hungary: EUR 39,000 (AED 155,400)
Spain: EUR 44,200 (AED 176,100)
DevOps Engineer (Cloud Infrastructure)
GCC: EUR 100,500 (AED 400,500)
Hungary: EUR 45,000 (AED 179,300)
Italy: EUR 47,000 (AED 187,300)
Software Architect
GCC: EUR 120,000 (AED 478,200)
Czech Republic: EUR 62,500 (AED 249,100)
Italy & France: EUR 64,000 (AED 255,000)
A prime time for hiring tech talent
The study also reveals that 56% of tech professionals in the Middle East currently utilize AI, exceeding the adoption rate in any European country. According to Hart, this data presents "a lot of encouragement" for companies in the Middle East seeking to attract tech talent. The second half of 2024 is expected to be a