Freelancers in UAE earn up to Dh3,600 per day; top roles revealed

Freelancers in the UAE command rates of up to $1,000 (Dh3,600) per day, a new report has found. Top skills in demand include cards portfolio management, project and product management, data analytics, business development, and risk management, with day rates starting from $300 (Dh1,100).

Released by independent talent platform Outsized, the 2025 Talent on Demand report said freelancer registrations in the Mena region increased by 78 per cent in the past year.

“The day rates for independent professionals in the UAE vary widely depending on their experience, industry, and the complexity of the projects they undertake,” Azeem Zainulbhai, managing director for Mena and India at Outsized, told Khaleej Times. “For instance, in cards portfolio management, someone with up to five years of experience typically earns between $275 and $325 per day, whereas a more seasoned professional with 11-15 years of experience can command anywhere from $725 to $875 per day. Similarly, project managers at the early stages of their career earn around $250 per day, with rates increasing to $525 to $675 per day for those with over a decade of expertise.”

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In the field of data and analytics, freelancers command daily rates between $225 to $750. “Product managers starting out generally make between $175 and $225 per day, while those with extensive experience can earn up to $600 per day. Meanwhile, business development professionals typically earn between $425 and $675 per day.”

Senior professionals with 15+ years of experience in any of these fields often command even higher rates, “particularly if they bring niche expertise or have worked on complex, high-impact projects”.

UAE’s freelancing community

Zainulbhai said the UAE’s freelance market is witnessing a 10 per cent annual growth. This highlights how “professionals are increasingly exploring independent work as a viable and sustainable career option, and how businesses in the UAE are recognising the value of flexible, on-demand expertise to support their growth and transformation efforts”.

However, a “significant” supply-demand gap persists in the region, the report said. As a result, skilled professionals command higher premiums compared to other regions like South Asia or South Africa. “This talent scarcity has also led to increased reliance on flexible talent solutions, such as independent consultants and project-based hires, which offer agility without long-term commitments.”

Visa options

The UAE offers multiple visa and residency options to freelancers. In 2022, the country introduced a five-year Green Visa for freelancers and self-employed individuals without requiring a sponsor. 

“Freelancers can apply through various free zones such as Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Internet City (DIC), among others,” said Zainulbhai. “The cost of obtaining a freelancer visa typically ranges between Dh2,000 to Dh12,000, and once the necessary documents are submitted, the approval process usually takes around seven to 10 days.”

Becoming a freelancer in the UAE requires planning, he added. “Skilled professionals looking to transition into independent work should start by building a strong portfolio that showcases tangible results from their past projects.”

According to Outsized, businesses in the Middle East are increasingly recognising the “speed, quality, and flexibility” that independent talent brings. 

“From Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to the UAE’s digital transformation agenda, organisations are tapping into skilled independent consultants and freelancers to accelerate high-impact projects at a competitive cost, with reduced hiring risks,” said Zainulbhai.

According to the company, the 2025 Talent on Demand report is based on research and “proprietary data points from real projects” on its platform.