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Technology · Salary in the GCC

Software Development Manager

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. In the GCC market, this role is actively hired across Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi with 8 recent postings.

In brief

A Software Development Manager in the GCC region requires communication, python, Git, Excel, cloud. Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. This role is in demand across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Salary across the GCC

Salary across the GCC

Monthly gross median in local currency, by country × seniority.

Software Development Manager — Monthly gross median in local currency, by country × seniority.
CountryJuniorMid-LevelSeniorLead / Principal
United Arab Emirates15,500 AED26,500 AED41,000 AED57,000 AED
Saudi Arabia14,500 SAR25,000 SAR39,000 SAR54,000 SAR
Qatar16,000 QAR27,500 QAR43,000 QAR59,500 QAR
Kuwait1,250 KWD2,150 KWD3,350 KWD4,650 KWD
Oman1,400 OMR2,400 OMR3,700 OMR5,150 OMR
Bahrain1,300 BHD2,300 BHD3,550 BHD4,900 BHD
Salary breakdown

How Software Development Manager pay varies in the UAE

UAE · mid-level · monthly gross in AED

Modelled from 500 market signals (Michael Page, Cooper Fitch & Hays surveys + Tabbio posting data) · updated June 15, 2026 · How we estimate

Market signals
500
postings & surveys
Year-over-year
+9%
vs 2025
Hiring demand
Medium
roles open now
Remote share
26%
fully or hybrid

By company size

Median compensation varies with headcount.

Startup (<50)22,500
Scale-up (50–500)26,500
Enterprise (500+)34,500

Top-paying industries

Median for this role, ranked by sector.

01Fintech
32,500
02Cloud & SaaS
29,500
03E-commerce
26,500
04Government tech
24,500
05Telecom
23,000

Estimates modelled from GCC pay surveys and live posting volume — a directional guide, not a live salary feed.

Required skills

communicationpythongitexcelcloudawserpdocker

Top hiring companies

  • noon
  • Master-Works
  • Charterhouse Middle East
  • UBS
  • Top Notch Consultancy
  • KDD

Active markets

  • kuwait
  • qatar
  • saudi
  • uae
What a Software Development Manager does
  • 01

    Applications Production

  • 02

    environment management with knowledge on

  • 03

    policies and procedures

  • 04

    on Change Management and IT Governance standards.

  • 05

    Reports review and validation and closing vulnerabilities and provide closure report with evidence.

  • 06

    Development knowledge:

  • 07

    experienced on development outcomes including compiled files and configurations files of web applications and web servers management.

  • 08

    Troubleshooting live applications in Collaboration with

See the full job description →
Country
Seniority level
Estimates modelled from GCC pay surveys and live posting volume
Frequently asked questions

  • What is the average Software Development Manager salary in the UAE?

    The median monthly gross salary for a mid-level Software Development Manager in the UAE is estimated from sample Gulf pay data. The figures scale with seniority — juniors earn roughly 55-60% of the mid level, seniors about 1.5×, and leads/principals close to 2×.

  • Which GCC country pays Software Development Manager salaries the most?

    Qatar and the UAE typically lead for Software Development Manager salaries, with Saudi Arabia close behind. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman pay in local currency but the gross AED-equivalent is usually somewhat lower.

  • Are these figures gross or net?

    All numbers are monthly gross base pay — before housing or transport allowances, bonuses, or statutory deductions. GCC payroll typically has no income tax for residents, so gross and net are close for most expats.

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