Nurse Salary in the UAE (2026)
Average / month
AED 8,000
Typical range
AED 5,000 – AED 15,000
Entry level
AED 5,500
Senior level
AED 15,000
Nurses in the UAE earn an average of AED 8,000 per month in 2026, with registered nurses ranging from AED 5,000 at smaller clinics to AED 15,000 or more for specialised and charge nurses at major hospitals. As with all UAE salaries, this income is completely tax-free. Pay depends heavily on your licence — DHA (Dubai), DOH/HAAD (Abu Dhabi), or MOH (Sharjah and Northern Emirates) — as well as your specialisation and the type of facility. Government hospitals and large private groups such as those in Dubai Healthcare City typically offer the best packages, often including housing allowance, flight tickets, and malpractice insurance.
What affects nurse pay in the UAE
- Licensing authority — DHA and DOH-licensed nurses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi earn more than MOH-licensed nurses in other emirates
- Specialisation — ICU, NICU, OR, ER, and dialysis nurses command AED 2,000–5,000 more than general ward nurses
- Facility type — government hospitals and large private hospital groups pay more than small clinics and home-care agencies
- Years of experience and country of prior practice — Western, GCC, and JCI-accredited hospital experience is valued highly
- Additional certifications such as BLS, ACLS, PALS, and postgraduate specialty diplomas
- Package structure — housing allowance, transport, and overtime can add 20–30% to the basic salary
Nurse salary by city
| City | Monthly salary range (AED, tax-free) |
|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 6,500 – 15,000 |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 6,500 – 14,000 |
| Sharjah | AED 5,000 – 9,000 |
| Northern Emirates | AED 4,500 – 8,000 |
💡 4 live healthcare & nursing jobss pay at or above the average — see below.
Also useful: our gratuity calculator and salary breakdown calculator.
Nurse Salary — FAQs
›How much does a DHA nurse earn in Dubai?
DHA-licensed registered nurses in Dubai earn AED 6,500 to 15,000 per month tax-free in 2026. General ward nurses at private hospitals typically earn AED 7,000 to 9,000, while ICU, ER, and charge nurses at large hospitals earn AED 10,000 to 15,000 plus housing and flight benefits.
›What is the difference between DHA, MOH, and DOH nursing licences?
DHA licences you to work in Dubai, DOH (formerly HAAD) covers Abu Dhabi, and MOH covers Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. Each requires credential verification via DataFlow and a Prometric exam. Dubai and Abu Dhabi facilities generally pay more, which is why many nurses start on MOH and later convert to DHA or DOH.
›Is 7,000 AED a good salary for a nurse in the UAE?
AED 7,000 tax-free is a reasonable mid-range nursing salary in 2026, close to the national average, especially if the employer provides accommodation or a housing allowance. Nurses in Dubai without housing support usually target AED 8,500 or more to live comfortably and still send money home.
›Do nurses get free accommodation in the UAE?
Many hospitals, especially government facilities and large private groups, provide free shared accommodation or a housing allowance of AED 1,500 to 4,000 per month. Smaller clinics often pay an all-inclusive salary instead, so always check whether housing is separate when comparing offers.