Dubai is home to some of the best graphic design companies that hire the best designers who can help them with digitally-focused services, especially logos and branding. They offer lucrative salaries, perks, and benefits to attract the best graphic design talent with the perfect amount of enthusiasm, creativity and flair. Relevant educational background and expertise in graphic design with sound knowledge of tools like Photoshop, Canva, ProofHub, and Illustrator can help designers land their dream job in Dubai. Learn all about graphic designer salary in Dubai and the factors that influence the total compensation. 

Role of a Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are expected to have technical depth and hands-on implementation practice of tools and practices in the designing toolchain. A graphic designer should be able to design and produce aesthetically pleasing visuals, including everything from posters to packaging, logos and marketing materials.

Graphic design is where technology meets art. Graphic designers ensure the delivery of high-quality visuals that perfectly blend elements such as colors, shapes, typography, images and more to convey ideas to an audience. 

Here are some key responsibilities of a graphic designer in top companies:

  • Develop original graphics, creative design, and production layout
  • Provide marketing support to the other departments
  • Develop and monitor printing and other production specifications
  • Choose appropriate production media and materials, including ink, paper, and production methods
  • Assist with integration of new standards as and when needed
  • Collaborate closely with the company’s internal design team
  • Communicate and understand the requirements of clients/brands
  • Develop and produce artwork and advertising that reflects the identity of the company globally

Different Graphic Design Job Profiles

The graphic design field is vast and has room for different talents. There are various job profiles for individuals with varying interests. Some of the most promising careers in graphic design are as follows:

1. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create graphics and layouts for the company’s product illustrations, logos, websites, etc. Individuals with an inclination for arts excel in this design field.

2. Creative Director

A creative director determines the creative vision of every project. They ensure that the overall aesthetic look stays on track. Directors lead a team through creating tangible products, such as video games, films, magazines or something abstract like a brand identity or an advertising campaign.

Individuals with managing, leadership and budgeting skills excel as creative directors. 

3. UX Designer

UX designers make products and services seamless and intuitive for users. They run user tests and refine any hurdles in web designing. Individuals who can think out of the box and have creative intuition can opt for this career path in graphic design. 

4. UI Designer

Usually a subset of UX design, this career is an excellent option for tech-savvy designers as it demands a blend of design and web technology skills. These user interface designers pay attention to how the product is laid out, designing each screen and every page to ensure that the layout visually works wonders. 

5. Product Developer

They ideate, manage and lead the creation of products. They are primarily associated with performing industry research, crafting illustrations, presenting the product to clients or stakeholders and contributing immensely to the development process.

6. Animator

Multimedia artists or animators are responsible for designing complex graphics. They use animation to add life to their graphics. Creative minds think about story development and visual components to meet their employer’s objectives. There is a surging demand for graphic designers with animation and motion graphics skills.

7. Freelancer

A freelancer can do it all when he wills. Graphic designers who possess some experience on their resumes, and a promising portfolio of expertise in design, marketing and graphics can advance their career by finding freelance projects.

What Is the Average Salary of a Graphic Designer in Dubai?

As per Indeed, the average salary of a graphic designer in Dubai is AED 3,941 per month or AED 55,659 per year. The total compensation comprises the base salary, bonuses, compensations, and other perks. The average total compensation of a graphic designer is as follows (Pay Scale):

  • Base Salary: AED 7k - AED 145k
  • Bonus: AED 255 - AED 20k
  • Commission: AED 0 - AED 2k
  • Total Pay: AED 8k - AED 163k

Factors That Might Influence Your Graphic Designer Salary in Dubai

Salary of Graphic designers in Dubai varies drastically based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and other factors.

  • Educational background
  • Experience in the industry
  • Relevant skills of the candidate 
  • Certifications from top universities
  • Company’s status
  • Location of the company
  • Prevalent market rates
  • A candidate’s performance in the current position  

Graphic Designer Salary in Dubai (Based on Experience)- 10 Year Plan

How does your experience affect your pay? The following table displays a ten-year plan based on years of experience. Candidates can expect their graphic designer salary to look as follows.

Experience 

Average Salary Per Year

0-6 months

AED 45k

1-5 years

AED 54k

10 years

AED 62k

Source

Graphic Designer Salary Based on Educational Qualification

Higher education equals a bigger salary. So, how much more can a degree add to a graphic designer's income? Here is a comparison of graphic designer salaries based on a person’s education level as per Salary Explorer data

  • The average salary of a Graphic Designer with only a high-school certificate is 7,900 AED per month.
  • A designer with a certificate or diploma can earn up to 9,290 AED per month, which is 18% more than the one who only has a high school certificate.
  • A bachelor's degree can earn a graphic designer a salary of up to 13,500 AED per month, which is a 45% hike in the average monthly salary as compared to someone with a certificate or diploma.
  • Professionals with a master's degree earn an average salary of 17,700 AED per month.

Comparison of Graphic Designer Salary in Different UAE Cities

A graphic designer's salary depends largely on the location of the company. While several cities pay more, the others offer a lower salary, as shown in the table below.

City

Average Salary Per Year

Al Barsha

AED 73,198

Media City

AED 64,844

Jebel Ali

AED 56,709

Dubai

AED 55,814

Jumeirah 

AED 55,066

Dubai Silicon Oasis 

AED 50,152

Al Quoz

AED 47,277

Source

Graphic Designer Salary in Dubai for Various Job Profiles 

Graphic designers are hired for different job positions depending on their skills and expertise. The average compensation for various positions is as follows:

Job Profile

Average Salary Range Per Year

Senior Graphic Designer

AED 12k — AED 258k

Design Architect

AED 8k — AED 252k

Art Director

AED 1k — AED 329k

Film / Video Editor

AED 7k — AED 204k

Graphic Artist 

AED 6k — AED 141k

Junior Graphic Designer

AED 2k — AED 89k

Web Designer

AED 58 — AED 196k

Source

Skills to Uplevel Your Graphic Designer Salary 

Employers are always looking for exceptionally skilled graphic designers who can help their businesses reach new heights. The following skills are in demand and help negotiate a higher salary. 

  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Animation
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Video Editing
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Corel Draw
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Graphic Design
  • Familiarity with UI/UX
  • Figma
  • Soft skills ( time management, communication, creativity, problem-solving ability, etc.)

Tips to Negotiate Graphic Designer Salary in Dubai

Consider the following points while negotiating a higher compensation package as a graphic designer: 

  • Develop a good understanding with the hiring manager
  • Consider all perks and benefits
  • Leverage your skills, strengths, and potential value 
  • Consider asking for a relocation package
  • It is best to refrain from sharing your current or expected compensation figures 
  • Conduct prior research on the company's and industry's salary trends
  • Compare the offer with recent market data before rejecting/accepting it

Become a Design Leader 

Enroll in Simplilearn’s Business Analytics for Strategic Decision Making with IIT Roorkee and gain powerful digital leadership skills. Advance your career while learning a host of reformative concepts that help graphic designers kickstart their design journey.

With an ever-increasing demand for aesthetically pleasing and informative visuals, every industry seeks graphic designers and offers lucrative compensation to their skilled team members. Graphic design is profoundly versatile, and a designer's imagination and passion for the work can take it almost anywhere. Advance your skills and prove your mettle in the upcoming interview to land the most promising offers. Simplilearn offers a wide range of professional courses that can help you upskill. Start learning now! 

FAQs

1. What are the top-paying companies for graphic designers in Dubai?

Hyatt is among the top graphic design companies that offer its graphic designers up to AED 211,859 per year. Mac Group ranks second in the list of top-paying companies and pays an average salary of AED 111,654 per year to its graphic designers. 

2. What is the average freelance graphic designer salary in Dubai?

A freelance graphic designer can earn up to AED 4,427 per month in Dubai. Several companies offer higher salaries. For instance, Alsayegh Media pays a fee of AED 9,910 per month to its freelance designers.

3. What is the average graphic designer salary for freshers in Dubai?

The average base salary for a fresher is AED 45k in the graphic design field in Dubai.