UAE offers 48% higher pay to green roles in construction sector
There’s been a significant 25 per cent increase in the demand for green skills among blue-collar construction workers in the United Arab Emirates over the past year, as reflected in Huntr’s workforce data report.
The report also notes that the country's construction sector is shifting significantly towards green building practices, therefore, construction employers are looking for expertise in Building Information Modeling (BIM), Digital Twin Technologies, energy efficiency, safety compliance, and sustainable materials management skills, which are crucial for supporting the UAE’s sustainability goals, with a focus on energy-efficient and waste-reducing projects.
Additional findings from the report reveal a sharp rise in demand for sustainable roles like Energy Efficiency Specialists and Waste Management Coordinators. The adoption of modular construction techniques and waste-reducing methods has also fueled a new wave of hiring, particularly for Prefabrication Engineers and Quality Control Inspectors.
Interestingly, green roles in the UAE’s construction sector offer an average annual salary of AED 108,522, which is about 48 per cent higher than traditional construction roles, where the average salary is AED 73,250. In addition, contracts for green roles typically last between 2 to 4 years, providing better job security compared to the shorter-term contracts in traditional roles. Furthermore, sustainable construction projects offer improved working conditions, including upskilling opportunities and career growth, leading to a 12 per cent higher retention rate than traditional construction projects.
The report also reveals that the UAE, with its range of benefits, is attracting young Indian talent for sustainability-focused roles due to their adaptability to new technologies like BIM and energy management systems. Notably, 50.3 per cent of top-tier commercial office spaces in Abu Dhabi are now LEED-certified, while Dubai has reached 23.7 per cent. This growing emphasis on sustainability is expected to keep driving demand for Indian workers skilled in green construction technologies.
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Samuel Joy, Founder and CEO of Huntr said, “The growing demand for green building skills in the UAE reflects a major shift in how construction projects are approached. It’s not just about meeting regulatory standards but a broader move toward efficiency and long-term sustainability. Indian workers with expertise in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices are perfectly positioned to fill this demand, and the benefits—higher wages, longer contracts, and better working conditions—are significant.”