Salaries of Nurses in Dubai

Nursing in Dubai is one of the most respected professions, and pay reflects both responsibility and skill. Salaries vary widely, shaped by specialization, type of healthcare facility, employment status, years of experience, and salary structure. Understanding these factors is essential for anyone planning a nursing career in Dubai.

Specialization is the biggest driver of income. Nurses working in critical areas such as ICU, ER, cardiac care, and oncology earn some of the highest packages, often ranging between AED 10,000 and AED 18,000 per month. Midwives, pediatric, and neonatal nurses typically earn between AED 9,000 and AED 16,000. General ward or clinic nurses earn AED 6,000 to AED 10,000, while school and community health nurses usually fall in the AED 5,500 to AED 8,000 range.

The type of facility also plays a major role. Government hospitals provide stable salaries averaging AED 8,000 to AED 12,000 with pensions and allowances, whereas private hospitals often pay AED 10,000 to AED 15,000, sometimes more with performance bonuses. Specialized centers, such as fertility or cardiac clinics, can offer packages reaching AED 18,000 or higher, especially for senior staff.

Employment status further influences pay. Full-time nurses generally earn the most consistent salaries, while part-time or contract nurses receive daily rates averaging AED 300–600 or hourly rates between AED 40–70. Tele-nursing and home-care roles often bring in AED 7,000 to AED 11,000 monthly, with the added benefit of flexibility.

Experience strongly shapes long-term income. Entry-level nurses earn AED 6,000 to AED 8,000, mid-level staff with 5–10 years make AED 10,000 to AED 14,000, and senior nurses or managers can command AED 18,000 to AED 22,000 per month. Overtime may add AED 2,000 to AED 4,000 monthly.

Finally, location matters. Abu Dhabi pays about 10–15% more than Dubai, while Sharjah and northern Emirates average AED 6,000 to AED 9,000. Altogether, nurse salaries in Dubai remain highly competitive, rewarding expertise and offering strong career growth opportunities.

 Salaries of Nurses  Based on Specialization 

To determine nurse salaries in Dubai based on specialization, the earnings depend on the type of nursing role and required skills. Nurses who work in the ICU or emergency department earn higher salaries because their work is demanding and requires specialized skills. 

Similarly, surgical nurses, neonatal nurses, and midwives usually receive higher pay due to advanced training and expertise. On the other hand, general ward nurses or clinic nurses typically earn less since their duties are more general. Simply put, the more specialized a nurse’s role, the higher the salary potential in Dubai.

Registered General Nurse:

A registered general nurse (RGN) in Dubai earns an average salary of around AED 7,000 per month, with the exact amount depending on experience, workplace, and location. In government hospitals and top private facilities, salaries often range between AED 7,000 and AED 10,000 monthly. In addition to pay, nurses usually receive benefits such as housing, health insurance, and annual airfare. While entry-level nurses may start with lower salaries, experience brings strong potential for higher earnings.

ICU Nurse:

An ICU nurse in Dubai earns an average salary of about AED 12,800 per month, making it one of the higher-paying nursing roles. Depending on experience, skills, and qualifications, salaries can range from AED 6,400 to AED 19,800. In addition to pay, ICU nurses often receive extra benefits such as housing, allowances, health insurance, and other perks. Their high earnings reflect the demanding nature of caring for critically ill patients, where advanced skills and quick decision-making are vital.

Emergency Room(ER) Nurse:

An Emergency Room (ER) nurse in Dubai earns an average salary of about AED 6,938 per month, with actual pay ranging between AED 6,000 and AED 11,000 depending on experience. Many hospitals add benefits such as housing allowances, transport facilities, and health insurance to support living costs. Some employers also provide round-trip airfare, paid annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity. These compensations ensure that ER nurses are supported both professionally and personally, reflecting the demanding and fast-paced nature of their role.

Operation Theatre (OT) Nurse:

An Operation Theatre (OT) nurse in Dubai earns between AED 5,000 and AED 9,000 per month at the entry level, while senior OT nurses can make around AED 11,000 to AED 14,000 monthly. Along with salary, many employers provide additional benefits such as fully furnished housing or housing allowance, transport allowance, health insurance, and annual flight tickets home. These added perks make the overall compensation package attractive and supportive of both professional and personal well-being.

Pediatric Nurse:

A pediatric nurse in Dubai earns a monthly salary between AED 8,000 and AED 15,000, depending on experience and expertise. In addition to salary, they receive valuable benefits such as housing allowance, health insurance, annual flight tickets, and paid leave. Some employers also offer relocation assistance or performance bonuses. These benefits make the overall package rewarding and supportive for nurses dedicated to caring for children in Dubai.

Neonatal Nurse:

A neonatal nurse in Dubai earns a salary ranging from AED 6,000 to AED 8,500 per month, though experienced staff, such as those at Mediclinic, can make up to AED 15,000. Pay varies with skills and years of service. Alongside salary, neonatal nurses often receive benefits including free accommodation, transport allowance, health insurance, and end-of-service gratuity. In short, the role is financially rewarding while also offering the deep satisfaction of caring for newborns.

Oncology Nurse:

An oncology nurse in Dubai earns an average monthly salary of around AED 5,000, with the annual income reaching about AED 143,900 depending on experience and facility. In addition to salary, oncology nurses usually receive housing allowance, transport, health insurance, and annual flight tickets. These benefits make the overall package attractive and supportive, reflecting the demanding nature of caring for cancer patients through treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Cardiac Care Nurse:

A cardiac care nurse in Dubai earns between AED 9,000 and AED 16,500 per month, with exact pay depending on experience and skills. These nurses specialize in treating patients with heart conditions, including conducting stress tests and ECGs. Alongside salary, they often receive benefits such as paid annual leave, housing allowance, health insurance, and end-of-service gratuity, making the role both financially rewarding and professionally respected.

Community Health Nurse:

A community health nurse in Dubai earns an average salary of about AED 4,170 per month, with variations depending on experience and workplace. Their role focuses on promoting health outside hospitals by working in neighborhoods, schools, and clinics to raise awareness. In addition to salary, they often receive housing allowance, transport support, and health insurance. These benefits make the position supportive and rewarding for nurses dedicated to improving public health.

Psychiatric Nurse:

A psychiatric nurse in Dubai earns between AED 6,070 and AED 21,000 per month, depending on experience and qualifications. Their work involves assessing emotional and behavioral health and providing therapies to patients with mental health conditions. Along with salary, they usually receive benefits such as health insurance and additional allowances, making the role financially rewarding while addressing an essential area of healthcare.

School Nurse:

A school nurse in Dubai earns between AED 4,000 and AED 6,000 per month, with salaries rising to AED 8,000–9,000 in well-known schools. Their role is vital in managing minor illnesses and handling emergencies within the school environment. In addition to pay, many schools provide benefits such as medical insurance, paid vacations, and housing support, making the job both supportive and stable for healthcare professionals working in education.

Home Care Nurse:

A home care nurse in Dubai earns between AED 5,000 and AED 8,000 per month, depending on experience and employer. Their role involves providing medical care in patients’ homes, including administering medication, changing dressings, and offering emotional support. In addition to salary, many employers provide benefits such as free accommodation, health insurance, and annual travel tickets, making the role both financially stable and personally meaningful for nurses.

Nurse Educator/Academic Nurse:

A nurse educator in Dubai earns around AED 8,090 per month at the entry level, while those with five to ten years of experience can make about AED 14,100 monthly. At top institutions like the American Hospital Dubai, clinical nurse educators can earn a total annual pay ranging from AED 186,000 to AED 200,000. Alongside salary, they often receive benefits such as housing allowance, fully furnished accommodation, and transportation services, making the role attractive for experienced professionals shaping the next generation of nurses.

Nurse Consultant:

A nurse consultant in Dubai earns between AED 18,000 and AED 28,000 per month, making them among the highest-paid professionals in the nursing field. Their role involves providing expert advice in specialized areas of healthcare, supported by advanced qualifications and years of experience. In addition to salary, they often receive housing allowance or fully furnished accommodation along with annual flight tickets, making the overall package highly rewarding for senior nursing experts.

Salary of a Nurse Based on the Healthcare Sector

The salary of a nurse in Dubai can vary depending on their work in the healthcare sector. The Nurses in government hospitals usually receive a good salary package with strong benefits and allowances. The private hospitals and clinics give slightly lower salary packages, but they give amazing bonuses.

 The nurses in specialized fields like cardiac, oncology, or at IVF clinics earn higher salaries because they are experts in their skills. In short, the healthcare sector is important in deciding nurses’ salaries in Dubai.

Private Sector:

A nurse in Dubai’s private sector earns between AED 5,500 and AED 8,000 per month at the entry level, while mid-level nurses make AED 8,000 to AED 12,000, and senior nurses can reach AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 monthly. Pay is usually higher than in the public sector and varies with experience and qualifications. 

Along with salary, private sector nurses receive housing allowance, paid annual leave, health insurance, and end-of-service gratuity. Some private clinics also provide bonuses and performance incentives, making the overall package financially attractive and supportive of long-term career growth.

Public/Government Sector:

A nurse in Dubai’s public or government sector earns between AED 4,500 and AED 7,000 per month at the entry level, while highly experienced staff can make AED 7,000 to AED 10,000 monthly. Salaries and bonuses vary by role and years of service. In addition to pay, government-employed nurses receive transport support, health insurance, paid leave, and 30 to 40 days of annual leave along with maternity leave. They are also entitled to end-of-service gratuity and performance bonuses. These benefits make public sector nursing roles secure, supportive, and appealing for long-term career stability.

Salaries of a Nurse Based on Job Status

In Dubai, the salary of nurses depends on whether they work full-time or part-time. Full-time nurses can earn a higher salary package than part-time nurses. The part-time or contract-based employees get lower income, but they still get the same benefits, like health insurance and paid leave. In short, full-time working gives you more financial stability while part-time jobs give some flexibility for life and work.

Full-Time:

Full-time nurses in Dubai can earn reliable salary packages that increase with experience and qualifications. The nurses at the senior level can earn AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 per month. The nurses who have just started their career can earn AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 per month. Many healthcare institutions offer different facilities like tax-free income, housing allowance, transport allowance, and paid annual leave. These benefits add significant value to the overall salary package. These extras make full-time nurse roles in Dubai more attractive and help them with their career growth. 

Part-Time:

In Dubai, part-time nurses earn between AED 3,500 and AED 4,000 per month. It depends on the clinic and hospital where they work. This salary package is given for the few hours they work in the healthcare sector. Some part-time nurses get other benefits or even flexible schedules so that they can work without any stress. It doesn’t matter that they earn a lower salary because they can get many valuable advantages and flexibility. They can work with a lighter load and make a successful career.

Contract-Based:

In Dubai, contract-based nurses usually earn between AED 3,500 and AED 6,000 per month. It depends on their qualification and experience. These contracts typically last 12 to 24 months. On top of their salary package, many hospitals and clinics contracts include valuable benefits such as visa sponsorship, health insurance, and other bonuses. They also offer an end-of-service bonus to reward you at the end of the contract period. This setup appeals to nurses to grab short-term opportunities and build up their financial career.

Remote/Tele-Nursing:

Remote or tele-nursing is a growing option in Dubai’s healthcare sector. In this role, nurses provide virtual care or respond to patients’ calls, offering them medical advice. This can happen from a distance. Salaries for these positions usually range from AED 3,500 to AED 4,000 per month. However, these positions may earn a bit less than traditional staff roles. But they can get flexible working hours and the convenience of working from home or remote locations. These nurses can work better and take care of patients using digital tools.

Salary of Nurses in Dubai Based on Experience Level

In Dubai, nurses’ salaries depend on their experience. Fresh or entry-level nurses with less than two years of experience usually earn less base pay. Mid-level nurses can earn more than new nurses. The highest paid are senior nurses with 20+ years of experience. This means that by the time a nurse moves from entry level to senior level, their salary can more than double.

Fresh/Entry Level:

The entry-level employees who have less than two years of experience earn around AED 5,000 to AED 8,000 per month. This starting pay is because they are still new in the nursing field and may also need to get their DHA license, which can affect the salary they are offered at first. They also get housing allowance, transport support, and annual leave that makes the overall package more appealing.

Mid Level:

Mid-level nurses in Dubai who have around 2 to 5 years of experience get higher salaries than fresh nurses. According to Glassdoor, registered nurses across all experience levels earn between AED 5,000 and AED 12,000 per month. Mid-career nurses get higher salaries if they work in a reputable hospital or clinic. Simply, it means that the higher the experience you have, the higher the salary you can get, which may reach up to AED 9,000 to AED 11,000 monthly. It helps you to achieve more financial and professional comfort.

Expert/Senior:

As an Expert or Senior Nurse in Dubai with many years of experience, your salary can reach higher levels. Senior nurses can earn up to AED 9,206 to AED 12,183 per month. In practical terms, this means that experienced nurses, especially in specialized areas, enjoy higher salary packages with valuable accommodations. These jobs usually offer the highest pay and best benefits in nursing as a reward for your skill and many years of experience in the field.

Salary of a Nurse Breakdown by Timeframe

The salary of a nurse in Dubai can be different at different times. Many hospitals and clinics offer monthly salaries. Some employers also pay nurses on a weekly or even daily basis, especially for part-time or contract-based nurses. This flexible payment structure can benefit staff in various ways. They also receive overtime pay for extra hours worked. Whether it is monthly, yearly, or weekly, it is beneficial for earning potential for nurses in Dubai.

Hourly Pay:

In Dubai, the average hourly pay for nurses is around AED 17 per hour and a yearly salary of AED 35,013. Experienced staff, especially in ICU and ER, can earn more per hour. This calculation comes from dividing the monthly pay by the average hours, which is around 160- 175 hours a month. Some private clinics may offer lower rates, while government hospitals often provide better pay along with different benefits. Overtime work can also increase the hourly rate. These extra benefits make the overall package much more valuable. Dubai also gives a tax-free income policy to its staff.

Daily Pay:

Many nurses in Dubai, especially those in part-time, contract, or private duty roles, are paid on a daily rate. A private duty nurse earns an average of AED 3,961 per month. For example, 22 working days a month make around AED 180 per day. Daily rates are practical for those who prefer short-term or flexible work. Even with daily earnings, they also receive health insurance, paid leaves, and many more. Daily pay structures provide flexibility for both staff and healthcare providers.

Weekly Pay:

In Dubai, most nurses are paid monthly, but some part-time or contract-based offers a weekly pay structure. Based on the average monthly nurse salary of around AED 5,080, which is approximately AED 1,170 per week. Entry-level or fixed shift nurses may earn slightly less weekly, while experienced staff earn more if working full-time. Though weekly wages may seem smaller, when they come with other benefits, they add up to a stable and predictable income.

Monthly Pay:

In Dubai, nurses are usually paid a salary every month. The monthly salary is about AED 5,000 to AED 7,000 per month. New or entry-level nurses often earn between AED 4,000 and AED 5,000, and the experienced staff can earn AED 6,000 to AED 8,000 per month. Along with base salary, they can get tax-free income, housing or rent allowance, health insurance, transport allowance, flight tickets, and many more.

Yearly Pay:

When you look at a nurse’s earnings in Dubai on a yearly basis, the numbers can be quite appealing. An average monthly salary is about AED 5,085, which adds up to roughly AED 61 020 per year. The factors like experience, specialization, and workplace also influence the salary package. Many institutions also offer tax-free income, housing allowances, annual flight tickets, and many more. Besides these benefits, the base pay is enough for their strong professional career.

What Are the Highest-Paying Nurse Roles in Dubai?

The highest-paying nurse roles in Dubai are those that require advanced skills and specialized training. Oncology nurses rank among the top earners with annual salaries of around AED 143,916. ICU nurses, who care for critically ill patients, typically earn between AED 10,000 and AED 18,000 per month. 

Operating room nurses make AED 9,000 to AED 16,000 monthly, while cardiac care nurses earn about AED 9,000 to AED 16,500. Pediatric and neonatal nurses also fall in the higher salary range, earning between AED 8,000 and AED 14,000 per month. These positions offer higher pay because they demand specialized expertise and significant clinical experience.

Nurse Salaries in Other Emirates of the UAE:

Nurse salaries in the UAE vary across different Emirates. In Abu Dhabi, nurses earn one of the highest averages at around AED 6,240 per month, while in Sharjah, the average is lower at about AED 3,938 monthly. Other Emirates such as Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah often offer salaries below AED 4,000 per month. This shows that pay strongly depends on location, with Abu Dhabi being among the most rewarding, and Sharjah along with smaller Emirates providing more modest salaries.

Which Emirate in UAE Pays the Most to Nurses?

The Emirate that pays nurses the most in the UAE is Abu Dhabi, where the average monthly salary is around AED 6,240, higher than the national average. This is mainly due to the larger healthcare budget and investment in medical services. Nurses in Abu Dhabi also receive additional benefits such as housing allowance, transport support, and health insurance, making the overall package highly attractive. 

Dubai ranks next, offering slightly lower salaries but still excellent opportunities with strong benefits. In comparison, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah provide lower salaries, making Abu Dhabi the top choice for nurses seeking the best pay in the UAE.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a Junior Nurse earn in Dubai?

A junior nurse in Dubai earns between AED 4,000 and AED 8,000 per month, depending on experience and qualifications. The lowest salaries start at around AED 4,000, while the average monthly pay falls between AED 5,000 and AED 8,000. With more experience, junior nurses can reach the higher end of this range, making AED 8,000 per month.

2. How much does a Hospital Nurse earn in Dubai?

A hospital nurse in Dubai earns between AED 4,500 and AED 18,000 per month, depending on experience and seniority. Entry-level nurses make around AED 4,500 to AED 5,500, while those with a few years of experience earn between AED 7,000 and AED 11,000. Senior hospital nurses can receive AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 monthly.

3. How much does an Experienced Nurse earn in Dubai?

An experienced nurse in Dubai earns between AED 7,000 and AED 26,000 per month, depending on skills and seniority. The lowest salaries start at around AED 7,000, while the average ranges from AED 9,000 to AED 12,000. Highly experienced nurses with advanced expertise can make AED 18,000 to AED 26,000 monthly.

4. How much does an ICU Nurse earn in Dubai?

An ICU nurse in Dubai earns between AED 5,727 and AED 18,000 per month, depending on experience and seniority. The lowest salaries start at around AED 5,727, while the average pay falls between AED 6,100 and AED 6,700. Senior ICU nurses can reach higher earnings of AED 10,000 to AED 18,000 monthly.

5. How much does a Head Nurse/Nurse Manager earn in Dubai?

A head nurse or nurse manager in Dubai earns between AED 4,500 and AED 18,000 per month, based on experience and qualifications. Entry-level salaries range from AED 4,500 to AED 5,500, while the average pay is about AED 7,000 to AED 11,000. Senior nurse managers with advanced experience can earn AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 monthly.

6. What Are the Benefits for Nurses Working in Dubai?

Nurses working in Dubai receive several benefits in addition to their salaries. These often include housing allowance or free accommodation, health insurance, transport support, annual paid leave, round-trip flight tickets, and end-of-service gratuity. Many hospitals also provide training opportunities and career development programs, which add to the overall value of working as a nurse in Dubai.