Data Engineer vs Software Engineer salary
In United Arab Emirates, a software engineer earns about 2% more than a data engineer — $135,602 vs $132,335 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AED). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Technology
Software Engineer$135,602/yr
- Monthly
- $11,300
- Hourly
- $65
- Range
- $86,780–$195,262
- 10-yr outlook
- +17%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $84,683 | $86,780 |
| 25th | $108,509 | $111,205 |
| Median | $132,335 | $135,602 |
| 75th | $161,443 | $165,446 |
| Senior (90th) | $190,551 | $195,262 |
National United Arab Emirates figures in AED. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or software engineer earn more in United Arab Emirates?
- A software engineer earns more, at about AED 498,000 per year vs AED 486,000 for a data engineer — roughly 2% (AED 12,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Arab Emirates?
- A data engineer typically earns AED 311,000–AED 699,800, while a software engineer earns AED 318,700–AED 717,100 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Arab Emirates?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about AED 40,500 and a software engineer about AED 41,500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 311,000 while a software engineer earns about AED 318,700 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 699,800 while a software engineer earns about AED 717,100 per year.
- Are data engineer and software engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.