Salary Negotiation Script for Software Engineers in Dubai
Dubai has no minimum wage for expats. Companies will lowball you. You have to ask.
The Script
Recruiter: "We are offering AED 18,000 per month."
You: "Thank you for the offer. I'm really excited about the role. However, researching the market rates for a [Role] with [Skill] in Dubai, and considering the cost of living adjustments for 2026, I was expecting a package in the range of AED 22,000 - 24,000."
The Pivot: "I have a verified portfolio on ProofStack showing I shipped a similar system at my last job, which saved them $50k. I can bring that same efficiency here immediately."
Why This Works
You aren't being greedy. You are being data-driven. You anchored your value to results (ProofStack), not just "I want more money."