Software Engineer Salary
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. In the GCC market, this role is actively hired across Kuwait, Oman, Qatar with 96 recent postings.
A Software Engineer in the GCC region requires communication, java, JavaScript, SQL, Git. Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. This role is in demand across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Salary across the GCC
Monthly gross median in local currency, by country × seniority.
| Country | Junior | Mid-Level | Senior | Lead / Principal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 16,500 AED | 28,500 AED | 44,000 AED | 61,000 AED |
| Saudi Arabia | 15,500 SAR | 27,000 SAR | 42,000 SAR | 58,500 SAR |
| Qatar | 17,000 QAR | 29,500 QAR | 46,000 QAR | 64,000 QAR |
| Kuwait | 1,350 KWD | 2,300 KWD | 3,600 KWD | 5,000 KWD |
| Oman | 1,500 OMR | 2,600 OMR | 4,000 OMR | 5,550 OMR |
| Bahrain | 1,400 BHD | 2,450 BHD | 3,800 BHD | 5,300 BHD |
How Software Engineer pay varies in the UAE
UAE · mid-level · monthly gross in AED
Modelled from 600 market signals (Michael Page, Cooper Fitch & Hays surveys + Tabbio posting data) · updated June 15, 2026 · How we estimate
By company size
Median compensation varies with headcount.
Top-paying industries
Median for this role, ranked by sector.
Estimates modelled from GCC pay surveys and live posting volume — a directional guide, not a live salary feed.
Required skills
Top hiring companies
- Global Corporation
- Property Finder
- United Arab Emirates University
- Revolut
- The Flex
- Flatgigs
Active markets
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- 01
Design, develop and maintain full
- 02
Write clean, scalable, and efficient code following industry best practices.
- 03
Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to standards.
- 04
Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve software defects and performance issues.
- 05
Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes and tools.
- 06
Stay updated with emerging technologies and incorporate them into projects as needed.
- 07
As a software engineer, your scope contains multiple complex solutions that impact at the domain level.
- 08
The main owner of multiple solutions that your team is developing.
What is the average Software Engineer salary in the UAE?
The median monthly gross salary for a mid-level Software Engineer in the UAE is estimated from sample Gulf pay data. The figures scale with seniority — juniors earn roughly 55-60% of the mid level, seniors about 1.5×, and leads/principals close to 2×.
Which GCC country pays Software Engineer salaries the most?
Qatar and the UAE typically lead for Software Engineer salaries, with Saudi Arabia close behind. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman pay in local currency but the gross AED-equivalent is usually somewhat lower.
Are these figures gross or net?
All numbers are monthly gross base pay — before housing or transport allowances, bonuses, or statutory deductions. GCC payroll typically has no income tax for residents, so gross and net are close for most expats.
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