Construction Salaries: Romania vs Dubai (UAE) – 2025

Construction Salaries: Romania vs Dubai (UAE) — 2025

Updated October 6, 2025. Reference conversions: 1 EUR ≈ 5.09 RON, 1 AED ≈ 0.232 EUR.
Romania: standard taxation applies in 2025; sector minimum gross is 4,582 RON/month.
Dubai (UAE): packages are basic salary + allowances (housing, transport, meals, medical). End-of-service gratuity is calculated only from basic salary.

How to read the ranges

• Romania: typical net/month (RON) + EUR (~).
• Dubai: typical basic/month (AED) + EUR (~). Allowances are often provided separately.

Site trades — core roles

General laborers

• Romania: 2,700–3,300 RON net, €530–650
• Dubai: 900–1,200 AED, €210–280

Masons / Plasterers / Stoppers / Painters

• Romania: 3,800–5,500 RON net, €750–1,080
• Dubai: 2,000–3,500 AED, €465–810

Tilers (ceramic/stone)

• Romania: 4,200–6,200 RON net, €825–1,220
• Dubai: 2,000–3,500 AED, €465–810

Drywall installers (gypsum systems)

• Romania: 4,000–6,000 RON net, €785–1,180
• Dubai: 2,200–3,800 AED, €510–880

Carpenters (formwork)

• Romania: 4,200–6,200 RON net, €825–1,220
• Dubai: 2,200–3,800 AED, €510–880

Steel fixers (rebar)

• Romania: 4,200–6,500 RON net, €825–1,275
• Dubai: 2,200–3,800 AED, €510–880

Scaffolders

• Romania: 4,000–5,800 RON net, €785–1,140
• Dubai: 2,000–3,500 AED, €465–810

Heavy equipment operators (excavator/bulldozer/loader)

• Romania: 4,800–7,200 RON net, €945–1,415
• Dubai: 3,000–5,500 AED, €700–1,275

Crane operators / Riggers

• Romania: 5,500–8,500 RON net, €1,080–1,670
• Dubai: 4,000–7,000 AED, €930–1,625

MEP & technical finishes

Plumbers / Heating installers

• Romania: 4,500–7,000 RON net, €885–1,375
• Dubai: 3,000–5,500 AED, €700–1,275

Electricians (buildings/site)

• Romania: 4,800–7,500 RON net, €945–1,475
• Dubai: 3,200–6,000 AED, €740–1,395

HVAC (duct fitters / AC technicians)

• Romania: 5,000–7,800 RON net, €980–1,535
• Dubai: 3,500–6,500 AED, €810–1,510

Flooring (parquet/Vinyl/LVT/epoxy)

• Romania: 4,200–6,200 RON net, €825–1,220
• Dubai: 2,500–4,000 AED, €580–930

Supervision & technical

Team leaders

• Romania: 5,000–7,500 RON net, €980–1,475
• Dubai: 3,400–4,800 AED, €790–1,115

Foremen

• Romania: 5,500–8,500 RON net, €1,080–1,670
• Dubai: 3,400–4,100 AED, €790–950

QS / Estimators / Measurers

• Romania: 5,500–9,000 RON net, €1,080–1,770
• Dubai: 6,000–12,000 AED, €1,395–2,790

Safety Officers (HSE)

• Romania: 5,500–9,000 RON net, €1,080–1,770
• Dubai: 5,000–10,000 AED, €1,160–2,320

Surveyors (topography)

• Romania: 5,800–9,500 RON net, €1,140–1,865
• Dubai: 6,000–12,000 AED, €1,395–2,790

Civil / Site engineers

• Romania: 7,500–12,500 RON net, €1,475–2,450
• Dubai: 10,000–23,000 AED, €2,320–5,350

MEP engineers

• Romania: 8,000–13,500 RON net, €1,575–2,650
• Dubai: 12,000–24,000 AED, €2,790–5,585

Construction / Project managers

• Romania: 12,000–22,000 RON net, €2,355–4,325
• Dubai: 13,000–23,000+ AED, €3,015–5,350+

What shapes the final offer

• Romania provides a clear sector minimum; since 2025, nets at the same gross are lower than in 2024 due to standard taxation.
• In Dubai, a modest basic can be offset by allowances (housing/transport/meals/medical) and no personal income tax, leading to competitive monthly take-home.
• Gratuity in Dubai is calculated only from the basic salary.
• Overtime, certifications, work at height, and project type (high-rise, hospitality, infrastructure) can shift packages significantly.

Dubai offer checklist

• Basic vs total package (and how gratuity is calculated)
• Housing type and distance, transport arrangements
• Overtime rates and monthly caps
• Annual flight and medical insurance (include dependents if applicable)
• Summer midday break compliance and daily schedule
• Visa costs, contract term, probation, termination conditions

Disclaimer

Ranges are indicative and vary by city, contractor, project, experience, and season. Currency conversions are estimates for comparison only.