Backend Engineer with 6 Years Experience Questions Dubai Salary; Reddit Compares India vs UAE Offers

Trending News: In a famous Reddit post, a backend developer with six years of experience sparked debate by wondering whether a job offer from Dubai is fair or too cheap for his skill set. The engineer earns ₹23 lakh per year in India and presently has two job offers. The Dubai offer pays AED 18,000 a month, equivalent to approximately ₹50 lakh a year before tax. The package includes health insurance (for the individual only), commute costs, and an annual flight allowance of AED 1,500. However, it excludes housing and insurance for family members.

Comparison with Indian offer

According to the post, the Indian offer is ₹33 lakh per year, which includes a hybrid work paradigm, health insurance for family and parents, and improved work-life balance. "Need advice: India vs Dubai offer – am I being lowballed?" The caption to the post says. While the Dubai offer looks to be better on paper, the developer questions whether it reflects the genuine market worth for someone with his level of experience.

Users react

The post was shared on July 20, 2025, and has since received more than 30 likes and multiple comments. Some users said that AED 18K was below average for Dubai, while others noted it depends on the employer, cost of living, and long-term aspirations. One of the users, @Loud_Voice_9350, commented, “If you are single, you can live a decent life on 1 lakh per month or less in Dubai. In India, after tax, you will get somewhere around 2 lakh per month. Single – Dubai Family – India ”

Developer should compare all the costs: Users

Another user, @StArLoRd_808, commented, “If you are planning on moving to Dubai, I highly recommend you ask for accommodation; otherwise, this salary will vanish in no time. India's offer is better.” Many Reddit users advised the developer to carefully consider all expenses and benefits of any job offer, not just the income.