Cost to Hire Indian Workers in the UAE: 2026 Benchmarks and Checklist
MEA licence B-3252/DEL/PER/1000+/5/11251/202515+ years in Gulf recruitmentLast reviewed Prepared by Taj HR Services employer desk
Short answer
The largest cost in hiring Indian workers for the UAE is monthly salary. Overseas-recruitment offers in our 2026 dataset show median basic pay of AED 1,800 for electricians, AED 2,100 for welders, AED 1,750 for plumbers, with accommodation, transport, food, permit fees, ticket and the recruitment service fee on top. Government fees change, so request a written rate card.
UAE salary benchmarks for Indian workers (overseas recruitment offers)
Basic monthly salary offered in overseas recruitment orders for the UAE, in AED. Data period: October 2025 – September 2026. Accommodation, transport and food columns show the share of job orders that include each benefit.
| Trade | P25 | Median | P75 | Housing | Transport | Food | Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | AED 1,600 | AED 1,800 | AED 2,400 | 88% | 91% | 54% | 76% |
| Welder | AED 1,800 | AED 2,100 | AED 2,600 | 85% | 90% | 58% | 82% |
| Plumber | AED 1,500 | AED 1,750 | AED 2,100 | 90% | 92% | 52% | 69% |
| HVAC Technician | AED 1,850 | AED 2,150 | AED 2,600 | 88% | 91% | 55% | 75% |
| Cleaner | AED 900 | AED 1,050 | AED 1,250 | 98% | 98% | 72% | 65% |
| Heavy Driver | AED 2,500 | AED 2,850 | AED 3,300 | 82% | 85% | 45% | 88% |
| Carpenter | AED 1,450 | AED 1,700 | AED 2,050 | 92% | 94% | 55% | 78% |
| Barista | AED 1,900 | AED 2,200 | AED 2,600 | 85% | 88% | 70% | 60% |
| Pipe Fitter | AED 1,600 | AED 1,850 | AED 2,300 | 90% | 92% | 58% | 80% |
| Scaffolder | AED 1,350 | AED 1,550 | AED 1,850 | 94% | 95% | 60% | 82% |
Illustrative payroll for a 20-worker crew
Median basic salary multiplied by 20 workers. This is basic salary only and excludes the other cost lines below, so treat it as the floor of your budget rather than the total.
| Trade | Median basic / month | 20 workers / month | 20 workers / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | AED 1,800 | AED 36,000 | AED 432,000 |
| Welder | AED 2,100 | AED 42,000 | AED 504,000 |
| Plumber | AED 1,750 | AED 35,000 | AED 420,000 |
Full employer cost checklist for hiring Indian workers in UAE
| Cost line | Notes for a UAE employer |
|---|---|
| Basic salary and fixed allowances | Set by your offer; benchmark above. Keep guaranteed pay separate from overtime. |
| Accommodation, allowances and payroll rules | Wages Protection System (WPS) mandates 100% electronic payroll through UAE Central Bank authorized channels. Accommodation standards governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 13 of 2020. |
| Overtime | Wage plus at least 25% (50% between 10 pm and 4 am) under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. |
| Work permit, visa and establishment fees | Government fees are set by Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) and change over time; confirm current amounts on the official portal. |
| Medical and insurance | Pre-departure or post-arrival medicals and mandatory health insurance per your emirate or region. |
| Air ticket | Joining ticket and annual-leave return ticket as per contract. |
| End-of-service benefit | Calculated under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. |
| Recruitment service fee | Quoted per trade and volume in a written rate card, with the scope of work and replacement terms stated. |
How employers reduce cost without lowering quality
- Raise one consolidated requisition for the whole season instead of repeated small orders.
- Offer in-kind housing and transport where permitted, and state them in the demand letter so candidates self-select.
- Use trade tests before visa spend, so you do not pay permit fees for workers who fail on site.
- Plan visas around known shutdown or project dates to avoid urgent-premium mobilisation.
- Ask for replacement terms in writing so early attrition does not restart the whole cost.
Get a written rate card
Taj HR Services issues a written rate card for the UAE by trade and headcount, covering recruitment service fee, mobilisation items and replacement terms.
Frequently asked questions: United Arab Emirates
How much does it cost to hire an Indian worker in the UAE?
Monthly basic salary benchmarks start from AED 1,600 for electricians at P25. Total cost also includes housing, transport, food, permit and visa fees, tickets, medicals, end-of-service benefit and the recruitment service fee.
Who pays the recruitment fee, the employer or the worker?
Taj HR Services' policy is that workers pay no agency service fee, and the employer pays the agreed recruitment service fee. Confirm this in writing with any agency you use.
Are accommodation and transport included in UAE offers?
They are included in many overseas-recruitment offers. The share of job orders offering each benefit is shown in the benchmark table above for each trade.
Do government visa and permit fees change?
Yes. Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) sets and updates fees, so confirm current amounts on the official portal before budgeting.
Can I get a quote before I commit?
Yes. Send the trade, headcount and start date and Taj HR will issue a written rate card.
Related for United Arab Emirates employers
Manpower supply for the UAECountry hiring page with trades, process and a manpower proposal request.UAE salary guide 2026Local market and overseas-recruitment salary benchmarks by trade.How to hire Indian workers: UAEStep-by-step employer process, timeline and prerequisites.Manpower supply company guide: UAEDirect recruitment vs local labour supply, and how to vet an Indian agency.Demand letter and documents: UAEDocuments, attestation and approvals needed before mobilisation.Labour law and compliance: UAEHours, overtime, wage protection and nationalisation rules for employers.