What Salary Will You Earn Teaching Abroad in the United Arab Emirates?

With year-round hot weather, tax-free salary and excellent benefits, the United Arab Emirates is one of the most sought-after locations for teaching abroad. However, if earning potential is a biggest priority, it’s important to consider the variables that influence the UAE teacher salary range. 

Here are some important expense and salary facts to keep in mind if you’re interested in teaching English in the UAE, along with some tips on how to get more bang for your dirham.

Teachers in the UAE typically earn $2,000 - $5,500 USD per month, depending on experience, qualifications, role, and location, with higher teacher salaries in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Many positions include benefits like reimbursed airfare, housing or a housing allowance, and health insurance.

Job options vary by credentials, as licensed teachers can access higher-paying roles at private and international schools while professionals with industry experience may find opportunities in vocational colleges teaching subjects like business, aviation, or technical drawing.

Language schools

• Average monthly salary: $2,200-$3,800
• Teaching hours a week: 20-30, most evenings and weekends
• You’ll be teaching: adults, children and teens taking after-school lessons

To teach English at a language school in the UAE, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and some teaching experience. You’ll see well-known language school chains represented in the Emirates, as well as local language schools and chains of schools unique to the Gulf Region.

Vocational schools and colleges

• Average monthly salary: $3,000-$4,500 USD
• Teaching hours a week: 20-25
• You’ll be teaching: high school graduates, young adults, career changers

The UAE’s economy is intertwined with resource development projects, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With the recent push to hire more Emirati citizens, the need for educated local students increases every year. 

Vocational schools and colleges provide the skills and education necessary for students to take on these types of development roles. In addition to teaching English, if you have specialist skills such as aviation, engineering, and AutoCAD, you’ll be highly valued at a vocational school in the UAE.

Private international schools

• Average monthly salary: $2,500-$5,000 USD
• Teaching hours a week: 35-40
• You’ll be teaching: K-12 students from around the world

With so many people of different nationalities living in the UAE, the range of international and private schools is reflective of the diversity of the population. Private and international schools in the UAE may be accredited through the board of education of another country or the international baccalaureate (IB) program. Students are generally taught in English or a language other than Arabic.

To find jobs working in primary or secondary education in private schools in UAE, recruiters like Footprints Recruiting can help.

Public schools

• Average monthly salary: $3,500-$5,500 USD
• Teaching hours a week: 35-40
• You’ll be teaching: mostly local K-12 Emirati students

Foreign teachers can find jobs teaching in the public school system run by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). The recruitment of teachers from abroad to assist local public school teachers in carrying out the aims of the education reform project has become one of the largest recruitment initiatives in the region.

With most public schools residing in Abu Dhabi, placements vary widely by location and school environment. Teach Away has been working in partnership with education reform and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) since 2009.

To teach English in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you’ll generally need the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree: A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement, with private schools or universities often requiring a master's.
• TEFL certificate, CELTA, or teaching license: Requirements will likely be less strict for language academies and tutoring positions, where a TEFL certificate may be acceptable when paired with experience. For public and private schools though, a teaching license and degree are usually non-negotiable.
• Teaching experience: Most positions require at least 2 years of teaching experience. 
• Native or near-native English proficiency: Non-native English speakers can teach English in the UAE, however, they’ll need to prove their English proficiency with an IELTS certificate, for example.  

Living costs are an important factor in choosing where you want to move (and teach!) abroad. Since Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the cities with the highest cost of living, we’ve based our estimates on prices there. 

Keep in mind that most employers at public, language, and international schools in the UAE usually include a housing allowance in your monthly salary.

Monthly cost of living

• Rent inside city center: $1,500-$2,500 USD
• Rent outside city center: $1000-$1,200 USD
• Utilities: $100-$250 USD
• Groceries: $300- $400 USD
• Internet: $80-$100 USD
• Entertainment and travel: $200-$400 USD
• Potential savings: $1,000-$2,000 USD

A meal at a cheap restaurant will run about $10-$15, whereas a mid-range restaurant will be closer to $20-$30 per person. Costs in the UAE have risen in recent years so take that into account when determining how much you can save.

Read more: Can You Really Teach English Abroad and Get Free Housing & Airfare?

Finding the right teaching job in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or the rest of the UAE isn’t as simple as just applying. It’s important to find a program or employer that you can trust. 

• Teach abroad programs: Teaching programs match you with positions based on your preferences. and often include TEFL training, pre-departure guidance, in-country orientation, and ongoing support from fellow teachers. Top teaching abroad programs in the UAE include Teach Away, Teaching Nomad, and International TEFL Academy.
• TEFL job boards: If you prefer a more independent approach, job boards allow you to search directly for teaching roles in cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. While this grants you more flexibility, it requires more effort and research on your part. To get started, you can visit the teaching job board on Go Overseas!
• Recruiters: TEFL recruiters act as intermediaries between teachers and schools, helping connect you with open positions with less hands-on support than a full program. Examples of recruiters who can help you find TEFL jobs in the UAE include Footprints Recruitments. 

Yes, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are cosmopolitan cities that attract people from all over the world, and an international community demands English teachers both for children in schools and adults at academies. 

Yes! Teaching English in the UAE is professionally and financially rewarding. Teaching and administrative experience in the UAE is an asset for anyone wishing to further their international teaching career, especially if you plan to stay in the Gulf region. If you’re looking for short-term, entry-level TEFL experiences, Thailand or Vietnam may be more suitable. 

Yes, you can work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi if you only speak English. Speaking Arabic isn’t a requirement and won’t impact your teacher salary in Dubai, as students benefit from  total language immersion when learning English. 

Read more: Do You Need to Speak a Foreign Language to Teach English Abroad?

It depends on your unique requirements and preferences. Both cities offer similar job benefits and teacher salaries, but teaching in Dubai offers a faster pace of life whereas the lifestyle for teachers in Abu Dhabi is more relaxed.

In the UAE, you’ll find eager students, a new and exciting culture to learn about, and great opportunities to save money. If you’re a new teacher but have your eye on teaching in a city like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, start gaining some experience and make a plan for an exciting future!

Read more about teaching English abroad: 

• Highest Paying Countries for Teaching English Abroad
• How to Avoid Common TEFL Job Scams
• Teaching Abroad Hiring Seasons and Application Deadlines Guide