Country Guide · United Arab Emirates
International school teacher salaries in the UAE
The UAE – especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi – is one of the best-known destinations for international teachers. Tax-free salaries, modern schools and year-round sunshine are big attractions. At the same time, the cost of living has risen and packages vary a lot between schools. This guide aims to give a calm, realistic overview of what teachers can expect – and how to make sense of an offer.
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
Typical salary band*
~ AED 10,000 – 21,000 / month
Mid-career teachers in mainstream international schools.
Contracts
2-year contracts are standard
Often with end-of-service gratuity and step increases.
Income tax
0% personal income tax
No tax on employment income in the UAE; home-country rules may still apply.
Typical salary ranges in the UAE
Salary ranges vary by emirate, school group and job role. Abu Dhabi and Dubai tend to offer the highest packages, with some variation in cost of living between them. Recent salary guides suggest that many international school teachers fall somewhere between AED 12,000 and 20,000 per month in reputable schools, with leadership roles and very experienced teachers reaching higher bands.
Mainstream international schools
Public salary guides and recruitment data suggest primary teachers often earn in the region of AED 12,000–16,000 per month, while secondary classroom teachers may sit closer to AED 14,000–21,000, depending on subject, experience and the school's fee level.
Lower-fee schools and learning support roles may be below this range; some high-fee schools sit above it.
Top-tier schools and leadership roles
Heads of department and senior leaders can reach AED 20,000–30,000+ per month in total salary and allowances in premium schools, with principals sometimes significantly higher. These roles are highly competitive and usually expect substantial prior leadership experience.
Always compare total package value, not just the base salary.
*All figures are approximate and based on external salary guides, recruitment information and teacher reports. They are not guarantees or promises from any individual school.
Common benefits in UAE international school packages
One of the reasons the UAE remains so popular is that many schools still offer comprehensive packages, not just a salary. That said, the exact mix of benefits can vary a lot, even within the same city.
Housing or housing allowance: many schools either provide an apartment or a monthly housing allowance. In some cases this fully covers rent; in others it is a contribution towards it.
Annual flights: it is common to receive a yearly return flight to your home country for the teacher, and sometimes for dependants as well.
Medical insurance: typically provided for the teacher and, in many schools, for immediate family members.
School fee discounts for children: policies vary widely – some offer places at low or no cost, others offer a percentage discount, and some offer no fee support at all.
End-of-service gratuity: a lump sum paid when you leave, based on years of service and basic salary, in line with UAE labour law.
Professional learning: many schools invest in CPD, inspection frameworks, IB/UK curriculum training and leadership development.
Cost of living and savings potential
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi regularly appear on cost-of-living rankings. Rents have risen in recent years, and lifestyle spending can creep up quickly if you're not careful. The positive side is that salaries are tax-free and, with a sensible package, many teachers still manage to save significantly.
Rough monthly costs
Recent expat data suggests a single teacher might spend around AED 3,500–5,000 per month on living costs excluding rent, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a reasonable area often adding AED 4,000–8,000+ depending on city and location. Families can see total monthly costs (including rent) climb above AED 15,000–25,000.
These are broad estimates and vary widely by emirate, neighbourhood and lifestyle choices.
Savings: teacher experiences
Many single teachers on mid- to upper-range packages report being able to save a good proportion of their income each month, especially when housing is fully covered. Families can still save, but school fees, larger housing and childcare costs mean that the details of the contract matter even more.
Savings potential is strongly linked to housing, school fees for dependants and how much of the local lifestyle you decide to embrace.
Who is the UAE a good fit for?
The UAE can be a great match for teachers who enjoy busy, modern cities and are happy in a fast-paced international environment. It tends to be a particularly strong fit if you:
Want a tax-free salary with the potential for strong savings, especially in the early or mid stages of your career.
Appreciate well-resourced schools, inspection frameworks and clear expectations, even if that sometimes means a demanding workload.
Are prepared to be intentional about housing choices and everyday spending so that rising costs don't quietly eat your savings.
For some teachers, the UAE is a 2–4 year adventure that clears debts and builds savings; for others it becomes a long-term home. Understanding the finances up front makes it much easier to decide which you want it to be.
Compare your UAE offer
If you already have an offer in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate, use our My Offer vs. The World tool to see how it stacks up against anonymous submissions from other teachers around the world.
🎯 My Offer vs. The World
Compare your salary to real submissions for the same country and role (normalised to USD for accuracy).
Explore more on Wondering Staffroom
Use the rest of the site to place your UAE offer in a global context and hear from other teachers.
Visit Browse salaries to see live, anonymous submissions from teachers in the UAE and beyond.
Explore Analytics for tools and visualisations comparing salaries and benefits across countries.
Share your own UAE package via the Submit form to help other teachers make informed decisions.
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Join the mailing listFrequently asked questions
- What is a typical salary for an international school teacher in the UAE?
- Many qualified teachers in mainstream international schools earn somewhere between AED 10,000 and 21,000 per month, depending on experience, role and the type of school. Some mid-market schools sit lower, while top-tier schools and leadership roles can reach significantly higher.
- Is the salary really tax-free?
- At the time of writing there is no personal income tax on salaries in the UAE for employees, so your contract salary is normally paid gross. You may still have tax obligations in your home country, so it’s always worth checking.
- Do schools still offer housing and flights?
- Yes. Most reputable schools provide either accommodation or a housing allowance, plus annual flights and medical insurance. The exact level of support varies widely between schools and roles.
- How much can a teacher realistically save?
- With a solid package, careful housing choices and realistic expectations, many single teachers report being able to save a meaningful portion of their salary each month. Families can still save, but school fees and larger housing costs make the equation tighter.
- Where does Wondering Staffroom’s data fit in?
- Our UAE insights are built from anonymous teacher submissions, combined with public salary guides and recruitment information. Over time, this helps create a clearer, teacher-led picture of what packages really look like.
