Logistics Manager Salaries in UAE: 2025 Pay Guide

• Created at 2025-12-11 Updated at 2025-12-11
• Logistics, procurement & Supply Chain |
• 0

1. Introduction:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), over recent decades, has emerged as a global logistics hub — a strategic crossroads between East and West. Its ports, airports, free zones and trade corridors have turned it into a gateway for goods flowing throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. As the UAE diversifies its economy away from oil, logistics has become a cornerstone of national growth and international trade.

Because of this strategic importance, demand for skilled logistics professionals is growing. Among them, Logistics Managers play a pivotal role: they coordinate supply chains, oversee warehousing, manage imports/exports, and ensure timely distribution. As e-commerce expands, regional trade increases, and free zones continue to flourish, companies need capable managers to handle complex, high-volume logistics operations.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Logistics Manager salaries in the UAE — examining current salary trends, how pay varies by industry, experience, and emirate; what factors influence compensation; and what the future might hold for this role.

2. Overview of the Logistics Sector in the UAE

The logistics sector in the UAE is anchored by several key hubs and infrastructure — among them:

• Major seaports such as Jebel Ali Port and Khalifa Port.
• Free zones and specialised zones including JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone), and other free/trade zones around Dubai South and AD Ports.
• Air-cargo and airport logistics hubs, thanks to the UAE’s global aviation connectivity.

These logistics nodes support import/export, re-export, warehousing, transhipment, and distribution — making logistics a major contributor to economic activity. Although publicly available data for exact contribution of logistics to UAE GDP is limited, the rapid expansion of trade, port throughput and free-zone activity suggests a strong and growing economic role.

According to recent job-market activity (2024–2025), there remains high demand for Logistics Managers — companies across sectors are actively hiring to support growing volumes. For example, several job listings for Logistics Manager roles are visible across multiple emirates.

Thus, the UAE’s logistics sector is not only structurally significant — but also dynamically growing, creating favourable conditions for strong compensation for qualified managers.

3. What Does a Logistics Manager Do?

The role of a Logistics Manager in the UAE (and globally) tends to be broad, combining supply-chain oversight, operations, compliance, and coordination. Typical responsibilities include:

• Supply chain planning: forecasting demand, planning procurement and distribution, optimising routes and scheduling.
• Warehouse operations management: supervising storage, inventory control, loading/unloading, packaging, dispatch, warehouse staffing and safety.
• Procurement and freight management: liaising with suppliers, freight forwarders, negotiating shipping rates, arranging import/export, managing customs documentation.
• Customs and regulatory compliance: ensuring shipments comply with UAE import/export regulations, free-zone rules, customs documentation, and other legal requirements.
• Transportation coordination: organising surface transport (trucks, vans), coordinating pickup/delivery schedules, ensuring timely delivery to clients or warehouses.

Daily tasks often include reviewing shipment schedules, monitoring stock levels, coordinating with port/airport authorities, approving freight expenses, and managing warehousing staff. Key KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) might include: cost per shipment, on-time delivery percentage, inventory turnover rate, warehouse utilisation, freight cost savings, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

To fulfil these responsibilities in the UAE context, a Logistics Manager typically needs a mix of technical, regulatory, and soft skills: proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS); good understanding of UAE customs regulations, free-zone rules, import/export laws; negotiation skills (freight, suppliers, carriers); ability to coordinate across departments; and strong organisational and logistics-planning competence.

Such a diverse and demanding role helps explain why compensation for Logistics Managers can vary widely — depending on the complexity of operations, scale of business, and sector involved.

4. Average Logistics Manager Salary in the UAE (2024–2025)

Salary data for Logistics Managers in the UAE is varied across sources — reflecting differences in company size, sector, location, and individual profile. Below is a synthesis of available data:

It is important to note that the data sources have limitations (samplesize , reporting bias, mix of seniority levels). The wide variation reflects that “Logistics Manager” can mean very different things depending on company size, responsibilities, sector, and geographic location.

If we look at aggregate salary across the UAE, as per one salary aggregator, average gross annual salary for a Logistics Manager is around AED 250,308 .

However, numbers from job-specific sites like Naukrigulf suggest that experienced professionals (especially in senior positions) may earn significantly more than the “average.”

In practice, a typical Logistics Manager in 2024–2025 might expect monthly compensation somewhere between AED 10,000 and AED 25,000 — but experienced managers in high-responsibility roles might earn above that, depending on sector and company.

Over and above base pay, many packages include other components (bonuses, allowances) — we will address total compensation components later in the article.

5. Salary by Industry

The industry in which a Logistics Manager works has a major impact on compensation. Some sectors tend to pay more because of complexity, volume, regulations, and margins. Below is a general breakdown and comparison.

Because official public data rarely breaks down logistics salaries by industry, one must rely on job postings or anecdotal data. Nevertheless, industry analysts and recruiters confirm that oil & gas, ports/shipping, and aviation logistics tend to pay better than sectors such as retail or general manufacturing — due to complexity, regulatory burden, and strategic importance.

Hence, a Logistics Manager working for an international shipping company, oil & gas firm, or aviation-related logistics operations is more likely to command a higher salary than one working for a small retail-chain warehouse.

6. Salary by Experience Level

Experience remains one of the strongest determinants of compensation. While data is fragmented, a general trend emerges:

• Entry-level or coordinator-level roles (logistics coordinator / assistant) — lower end of pay scale.
• Mid-level roles (executives, assistant managers) — moderate pay.
• Senior Logistics Manager roles, or those with long experience (10+ years) — significantly higher pay.

Although data specific to “Logistics Manager by years of experience” in the UAE is limited, some sources provide indicative ranges. For example, one data-site suggests that, in practice, salaries may go as high as AED 66,666 for very senior profiles.

Based on available info and anecdotal market norms, a plausible breakdown might be:

• Entry / junior (coordinator / assistant): AED ~ 5,000–10,000 (though this tends more to lower-tier supply-chain/warehouse roles).
• Mid-level (executive / assistant manager): AED ~ 10,000–18,000.
• Logistics Manager / Senior Manager: AED ~ 20,000–35,000 (or more) depending on responsibilities, sector, and location.
• Head of Logistics / Supply Chain Director (large company, heavy responsibilities, region-wide): Potentially AED 45,000–70,000+ (depending on allowances, bonuses, and company size).

Because of variation depending on company, role scope, and whether you manage large teams or multiple warehouses/shipping lanes — actual compensation can differ substantially.

An illustrative “salary curve by experience level” would show modest growth in early years, then sharper rises after 5–10 years as individuals gain broader responsibilities and manage larger operations.

7. Salary Differences by Emirate

Location within the UAE also plays a role in wage variation. Roughly speaking:

• Dubai: Often has some of the highest salaries, because many multinational companies, free-zone businesses, and trade hubs are based here.
• Abu Dhabi: Especially for oil & gas, government-linked entities, or large industrial firms — pay tends to be high.
• Sharjah: More mid-range, often dependent on manufacturing and light industry.
• Northern Emirates (Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, others): Typically lower salaries, but cost of living tends to be lower too.

Concrete numbers are difficult to produce because few sources break down by emirate. However, insights from regional salary surveys and job postings support the pattern: roles in Dubai or Abu Dhabi tend to command higher compensation compared to more remote emirates.

A plausible expectation: a Logistics Manager working in Dubai or Abu Dhabi (especially in high-demand sectors) will likely have compensation 10–30% above those in Sharjah or Northern Emirates, all else equal.

8. Factors that Influence Salary Levels

Salaries for Logistics Managers in the UAE are influenced by a variety of interrelated factors. Below are the most significant — and how they tend to play out in real-world hiring and pay decisions.

Education & Qualifications

While not always mandatory, having a relevant degree (in supply chain management, business, engineering) — or postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA) — tends to improve salary prospects. Companies seeking managers for complex operations (international shipping, oil & gas, aviation) often prefer higher education credentials.

Company Size, Turnover and Complexity

Large multinational firms, shipping companies, and major logistics operators often have higher budgets and complex supply chains — leading to higher pay. Conversely, small local warehouses or retail-chain logistics may pay more modestly. Free-zone companies, shipping firms, or oil & gas operators tend to pay more than small-scale domestic logistics operations.

Free Zone vs Mainland, Port/Non-Port Operations

Companies operating in free zones (with import/export, transhipment, customs requirements) or involved in port/airport logistics often require more compliance, documentation and coordination — increasing managerial workload and justifying higher pay.

Sector Competitiveness & Cargo Complexity

Sectors like oil & gas, aviation cargo, and maritime freight often involve higher regulatory compliance, specialised logistics, safety requirements, and complex coordination across global supply chains. These sectors tend to pay more than low-complexity retail or domestic logistics.

Skill Set & Demand for Special Competencies

Proficiency in logistics software (ERP / WMS), data-driven planning, route optimisation, cost-efficiency analysis, freight negotiation, international shipping regulations, customs laws — all add value. Additionally, managers with strong negotiation, vendor management, and multi-modal logistics coordination skills tend to command higher salaries.

Freight Forwarding vs Internal Corporate Logistics Roles

Freight-forwarding, third-party logistics (3PL), shipping & forwarding companies often pay more than internal corporate logistics teams (e.g. retail chain warehouse) because of complexity, external coordination, liability and volume.

Experience and Track Record 
Past success in reducing costs, optimising supply-chain efficiency, handling large volume shipments, and managing diverse teams can significantly influence salary offers.

In short: salary is not just a function of title — it depends on the complexity and scale of logistics operations, the sector, company profile, and individual competencies.

9. Impact of Certifications on Salary

Beyond formal degrees and experience, professional certifications often play a role in enhancing employability and potentially boosting salary. In the global supply-chain industry — and increasingly in the UAE — certifications such as:

• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply)
• CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)
• CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution)
• PMP (Project Management Professional) — especially for logistics project-management roles
• Lean Six Sigma / Lean/Continuous Improvement Certifications

are increasingly recognised by employers.

Although there is limited publicly available statistical data from UAE-specific salary surveys correlating certifications and pay increase, global industry reports — and regional recruitment firm insights — suggest that certified professionals often command 10–25% higher salaries compared to non-certified peers (when controlling for similar experience and responsibilities).

In practical terms: a Logistics Manager in UAE who adds a certification like CSCP or CLTD — especially if working in a complex logistics environment (e.g. ports, oil & gas, multi-modal freight) — may negotiate higher compensation or be eligible for more senior roles.

Therefore, certifications remain a useful lever for personal career growth, salary negotiation, and differentiating oneself in a competitive market.

10. Expat vs. Local Hiring Trends in Logistics

The UAE labour market is heavily reliant on expatriates — especially in logistics, supply chain, engineering, and management roles. For Logistics Manager positions, many of the applicants and incumbents are expatriates.

Expat Professionals:

• Often receive compensation packages that include not only base salary, but also allowances (housing, transport, annual flight tickets), medical insurance, and sometimes end-of-service benefits.
• Their pay tends to reflect international standards — especially when hired by multinational firms, shipping companies, or firms with global supply-chain operations.

Local (Emirati) Professionals: 

• UAE nationals may be hired under different compensation and benefits rules, often tied to government or semi-government entities.
• Governments and some large firms support nationalisation programmes. In some cases, salary bands for citizens may differ, but benefits (job security, allowances, allowances tied to national policies) may compensate.

Because public data seldom distinguishes expatriate vs Emirati salaries for logistics roles, it's hard to draw definitive numeric comparisons. However, anecdotal industry insights indicate that multinational firms tend to prefer experienced expats for logistics-heavy roles, often offering competitive packages including allowances — which significantly enhance total compensation beyond base salary.

Therefore, while base salary numbers provide a baseline, total compensation for many expatriates in the UAE can be considerably higher than “salary only” figures suggest.

11. Benefits & Perks Included in UAE Logistics Manager Packages

In the UAE — especially when hiring expatriates — compensation packages often include more than just base salary. Common additional components include:

• Housing allowance (or company-provided accommodation)
• Transportation allowance (or company car/transport)
• Annual ticket allowance (for flights home)
• Medical insurance
• Performance bonuses / profit sharing
• Professional development (training, certification reimbursement)
• End-of-service benefits (gratuity)

Because of these components, total compensation may significantly exceed the “base salary” reported in surveys. For example, a manager with a 20,000 AED base salary might effectively receive 25,000–30,000 AED in total monthly value once allowances and bonuses are included.

Below is a simple comparison table (illustrative) of how salary + allowances might compare to base salary alone:

Because of these, many Logistics Managers in the UAE value the total compensation package significantly more than just the base salary — making the role more financially attractive than raw base-salary data suggests. 

12. Gender Salary Gap in Logistics Roles

Public data for UAE — especially in logistics — rarely provides breakdowns of salary by gender. Thus, it is difficult to provide robust UAE-specific statistics. However, global trends in supply-chain, logistics, and operations industries show that logistics remains a somewhat male-dominated field.

In international studies, some modest gender pay gaps persist (though narrowing in many companies over time). In the UAE context, anecdotal reports and corporate diversity initiatives suggest growing female participation — but comprehensive data is lacking.

Therefore, while you may mention that “female participation in UAE logistics roles is rising,” any claim about equal pay or gender pay gap should be qualified: publicly-available data does not allow a reliable conclusion.

Nonetheless, this trend (increasing female presence, rising awareness of pay equity) is worth observing — as more companies emphasise diversity, inclusion, and equitable compensation practices.

13. UAE Market Trends Affecting Logistics Salaries in 2025 and Beyond

Several emerging trends are likely to influence logistics roles — and thus salaries — in the coming years. Key among them:

• E-commerce boom: The rapid growth of online retail (regional and global) drives demand for warehousing, last-mile delivery, reverse logistics — increasing demand for skilled logistics management.
• Automation and AI in supply chain: As firms adopt warehouse automation, robotics, AI-driven demand forecasting and route optimisation, demand rises for managers familiar with technology-driven logistics.
• Green logistics & sustainability compliance: More emphasis on sustainable transport, carbon-emission control, efficient routing, waste reduction — requiring logistics managers to be adept in compliance and sustainability standards.
• Smart ports and digital freight systems: Investments in smart port infrastructure (digitised customs, tracking, IoT-enabled warehouses) increase operational complexity — and the need for qualified managers.
• Regional integration / rail networks / Gulf Corridor initiatives: As regional transport networks (road, rail) improve, cross-emirate and cross-Gulf logistics may expand — requiring managers with multi-modal, multi-region supply-chain expertise.

These trends suggest that over the medium to long term, demand for experienced, tech-savvy Logistics Managers will increase — which should push compensation upward, especially for those who invest in upskilling, certifications, and digital/logistics-tech competencies.

14. Comparison with Other Gulf Countries

While this article focuses on the UAE, it is useful to briefly compare with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to highlight the UAE’s competitive position. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, typical salaries for supply-chain / related managerial roles may be lower or comparable depending on sector. According to one salary-survey site , a Supply Chain Manager in Saudi Arabia earns around SAR 12,000 per month (though pay scales vary).

Given the UAE’s established infrastructure, strategic ports, free zones, and global trade connectivity — plus relatively high cost of living and expatriate-oriented compensation packages — the UAE remains an attractive destination for logistics professionals compared to many neighbouring markets.

Other smaller Gulf countries (e.g. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) may offer logistics roles, but often with lower volumes, smaller operations, and less diversified logistics ecosystems — which tends to translate into lower pay or fewer opportunities.

Thus, from a regional perspective, the UAE remains a top destination for logistics talent, particularly for those seeking competitive compensation, career growth, and exposure to international trade operations.

15. How to Increase Your Salary as a Logistics Manager in the UAE

If you are a Logistics Manager (or aiming to become one) in the UAE, here are actionable strategies to increase your compensation and career prospects:

1. Gain recognised certifications — such as CSCP, CLTD, CIPS, PMP or Lean Six Sigma — to differentiate yourself, especially for complex logistics or supply-chain roles.
2. Target high-paying sectors — such as oil & gas, maritime freight, aviation cargo, or major supply-chain operators, rather than low-margin retail or small-scale logistics.
3. Develop strong technical skills — including ERP/WMS systems, data analysis, automation tools, supply-chain software, and digital freight management.
4. Seek roles in large firms or multinationals — they tend to have larger budgets, more complex operations, and higher compensation packages (including allowances and bonuses).
5. Take on broader responsibilities — e.g., multi-site logistics, international freight, port operations, compliance, cross-border distribution — because broader scope tends to command higher pay.
6. Build industry networks and relationships — good vendor relationships, freight forwarder networks, reputation for efficiency and reliability can lead to better roles.
7. Leverage expatriate benefits — make sure to negotiate housing, transport, flight allowances, medical insurance, performance bonuses — which can significantly boost total compensation beyond base salary.

By combining these strategies, a Logistics Manager can potentially move from a mid-range salary to a senior, high-value role over a few years.

Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Having a reliable supply chain is essential to any growing and successful business. Your supply chain ensures that your business has all of the products and equipment to run productively.   Many factors must be considered when creating and maintaining a

16. Future Outlook: What Will Logistics Manager Salaries Look Like in 2030?

Looking ahead to 2030, several factors suggest that the demand for logistics professionals — and hence salaries — will continue to rise in the UAE. Key drivers include:

• Continued expansion of trade and re-export activities. As global trade patterns shift, the UAE’s strategic location and infrastructure will likely attract more shipping, warehousing, and transshipment business.
• Further growth in e-commerce, regional distribution, and cross-border trade. As consumer demand grows and logistics networks evolve, companies will need experienced managers to coordinate increasingly complex supply-chains.
• Adoption of new technologies — automation, AI, digital freight, IoT-enabled logistics, smart warehouses — will increase demand for tech-savvy managers who can combine logistics know-how with digital skills.
• Expansion of free zones, port infrastructure, regional rail/road networks, and inter-GCC trade corridors — which will increase cross-emirate and international logistics operations, requiring regional supply-chain coordination.
• Growing emphasis on sustainability and green logistics — companies may prioritise environmentally friendly transport, efficient warehousing, carbon balancing — requiring managers with awareness of regulatory compliance and sustainability practices.

Given these trends, by 2030 it is plausible that senior Logistics Managers (with experience, certifications, and cross-region responsibilities) could see total compensation packages (including allowances and bonuses) well above today’s top range — possibly reaching or exceeding AED 70,000–90,000 per month (depending on company and role). Those with niche skills (e.g. cross-modal logistics, compliance, digital supply-chain) may be especially well-positioned.

17. Conclusion

Logistics Manager roles in the UAE present a compelling opportunity — thanks to the strategic importance of logistics in the country’s economy, the diversity of sectors, and the scale of operations. While reported base salaries vary (often between AED 7,800 and AED 25,000 per month), it is clear that experienced professionals working in complex sectors or large companies may command significantly higher total compensation — especially when allowances, bonuses, and benefits are accounted for.

Factors such as sector (aviation, maritime, oil & gas), company size, responsibilities, certifications, and expatriate benefits play a big role in determining actual earnings. As the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub, with increasing trade, e-commerce growth, and infrastructural developments, demand for capable logistics managers will likely rise — pushing compensation levels up as well.

For professionals aspiring to succeed in this field: investing in certifications, gaining technical and regulatory skills, targeting dynamic sectors, and leveraging expatriate compensation packages remain key strategies. With the right expertise and ambition, Logistics Managers in the UAE stand to benefit

significantly from a growing, dynamic, and globalised logistics industry.