Thriving Professions: Insights into UAE’s Booming Job Sectors

1. Specialized Medical Professionals
This category saw 112% growth in hires, with Nurses and General Practitioners being in high demand across UAE.
Top skills:
Nursing, Basic Life Support (BLS), Internal Medicine, Patient Safety, Healthcare Management
Common job titles:
Registered Nurse, Nurse, General Practitioner, Medical Doctor, Clinical Pharmacist

2. Digital Content Freelancers
To support the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE created new work permits for international freelancers. Additionally, the rise in online activity, the adoption of digital platforms across sectors, and changing consumer behavior led to high demand for freelancers and a 200% increase in digital content-related jobs, with 25% of them being available remotely. Bloggers, YouTubers and Podcasters took advantage of these new opportunities, and started pushing their own content online.
Top skills:
YouTube, Blogging, Social Media Marketing, Creative Writing, Video Production
Common job titles:
Content Coordinator, Blogger, Youtuber, Podcaster

3. Healthcare Supporting Staff
Laboratory Assistants and Clinical Managers worked behind-the-scenes on PCR testing and vaccine development. Organizations like Group 42 led the vaccine clinical trials, and researchers at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center worked on a groundbreaking stem cell treatment in August 2020. All of this work and developments led to a 129% increase in Healthcare Supporting Staff roles.
Top skills:
Hematology, Infection Control, Microbiology, Laboratory Skills, Clinical Research
Common job titles:
Medical Laboratory Technologist, Laboratory Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Medical Consultant, Clinic Manager

4. E-Commerce
The average age of those hired in E-Commerce Coordinator and Online Specialist roles was 29, and 66% of them hold a bachelor’s degree.
Top skills:
Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), E-commerce
Common job titles:
Ecommerce Coordinator, Online Specialist

5. Digital Marketing Specialists
A growth of 71% hired into Digital Marketing roles in 2020. Social media related roles showed some of the highest growth, which is understandable when you look at the social media usage by platform. This category saw one of the most balanced gender hiring, with 51:49 female to male ratio, and the vast majority were self-employed or freelancers.
Top skills:
Influencer Marketing, Content Strategy, Digital Marketing, Market Research, Google Ads
Common job titles:
Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketing Specialist, Marketing Director, Social Media Marketing Manager

6. Business Development and Sales Roles
Software and technology enabling digital transformation saw an upward trend in the region. This resulted in more salespeople being hired in the UAE to capitalize on this growth, contributing to a 74% growth in Business Development and Sales hires. One possible complementary factor to this growth was the UAE’s decision to allow foreign investors and entrepreneurs to set up businesses without involving local shareholders. It’s also worth mentioning that 11% of the roles were remote.
Top skills:
Business Development, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Lead Generation, Team Management, Sales Management
Common job titles:
Business Development Specialist, Business Development Associate, Vice President of Sales, Sales Team Lead

7. Professional and Personal Coaches
Professional and Personal Coaches which led to a 207% growth in these roles compared to 2019. 61% of these roles were filled by women, the majority of them being self-employed.
Top skills:
Life Coaching, Executive Coaching
Common job titles:
Life Coach, Leadership Coach