Hi there. Look it's impossible to say because it all depends on where you work, what kind of projects they are and the value involved, what your skills are. In general though, you're not really underpaid. 3 years is still very young and you're considered a junior. I'd say definitely keep asking for higher but also try to get more responsibility so you can back up your request. Unfortunately workload isn't always a measure that companies use (sadly) it's more about the level of responsibility and scope. Try to be involved in decision making, join important meetings, and ask to take on new projects. im in HR and used to work for design firms so hopefully Im giving you good advice :)) good luck

Yes, you're underpaid. 3 years experience in Dubai running 4–5 live projects should be 10–13k depending on firm size. Start looking.

Transport allowance being included changes the math a lot, don't just compare base salary numbers with people who don't get that.

8.5k plus bonus and transport is just about decent for coordinator level tbh, but you can still get higher if you increase your responsibilities.

Hotel renovation work usually pays a bit more than pure residential due to tighter timelines, so you might be slightly underpaid if it's mostly hotel projects.

Depends what "running operations" includes exactly, is it just admin/scheduling or is it running actual projects on site and managing clients. If its only internal work, then its low but not so much. But if youre managing projects and clients then you are very underpaid.

Yes yes yes. You are very underpaid brother. Start looking.

Small company life... its always "we'll increase it once we land the next big project" 😩

Wallpaper/textiles, 5 years, 9k fixed, no commission, kind of wish mine had one after seeing this thread

Tile sales, 6 years, 8k base + 3% commission

Furniture supplier, 13 years, 10k base + 2.5% commission

15% is too low for the work involved in procurement. I charge 20% as standard, written into the contract. High-end clients sometimes negotiate to 18% but I rarely go below that. Hope that helps you.

Hi, that's an interesting question. But I feel impossible to answer without more context... all depends on the project and budget. Sometimes we even not put any percentage if we need the work :)

11k for 6 yrs managing multiple sites is low ngl. I was at 14k with similar experience 2 years ago and that was considered mid-range even then.

Interviews are the best place to actually find this out honestly, recruiters will tell you real numbers once they see your CV.

Haha just wanted to comment on the previous response… "recruiters will tell you real numbers?"…. errr, no they won't. It's their job to get you hired for as low as possible, just saying…

Make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Some "PM" titles here are basically project coordinators with a fancier title lol. But I would say you are on the low side and definitely should try bringing up your pay.

We outsourced procurement 18 months ago. It freed up significant capacity but you share the margin. We now do a hybrid, keep procurement for key statement pieces where the client relationship matters, outsource the volume items. Worth testing on one project first.

Not great to be honest, I've also been looking for a few months. Hoping also to get some advice here if anyone can support.

Keep looking there are many opportunities. Make sure you are well-presented on LinkedIn and that you have a portfolio of projects to show. Use your previous contacts, tell everyone that you are looking. Many jobs are advertised and come thru references. Its a bit harder than before but not impossible, good luck

13k feels reasonable though, regardless of pay structure. But its worth asking around at other flooring companies.

Fixed monthly is actually more common than people think in flooring/installation companies, commission is more typical for sales roles not project management ones.

Curious what others say too, feels like procurement doesn't get talked about enough on here compared to PM/design roles.

I'm at 19k with 10 years but I also handle vendor negotiations, contracts, and disputes, not just sourcing, so scope matters a lot here. Wish you best of luck.

19k at 12 years sounds reasonable for contracting side. Consultancy or developer side procurement tends to pay a bit more from what I've seen.

Congrats! I made a similar move, retail fitout to retail design management a while back. Biggest shift is you go from hands on design to overseeing the bigger picture, timelines, budgets,brand consistency across stores. your fitout experience actually sets you up well for this. Good luck !

Haha welcome to the other side. moving from fitout into design mgmt means less time in the details and more time managing people, priorities, and stakeholders. store openings don't move so pressure is real, but running a small 3d team already means you know how to keep a team moving under deadlines. you'll be fine tbh

5k is a reasonable ask in Dubai for a fresh grad. Realistic range is 4.5–6k depending on the firm size. Don't undersell yourself but also don't price yourself out of good learning environments early on.

Hello ! Starting out early in your career can be confusing. Previous replies here are spot on, prioritize learning over salary in the early years. But make sure you also set a baseline for yourself, understand what you will and won't accept. alculate your expenses, transport, and establish what you need to feel rewarded, and what work conditions work for you. Then negotiate higher pay (always). There is usually a little room for you to earn higher than their offer. Best of luck to you.

I graduated from AUS a few years ago and started at 4.8k in a small studio. Within 2 years I was on 9k with real project experience. At this stage chase the best learning environment, not the highest starting number.

Hello friend I think you're in the average range right now although that doesn't mean you can't increase your pay. I've spent a lot of years in this field and have a fairly good idea of salaries for procurement. Best advice I could give is try to cover more responsibilities in your current role such as finance or project managment, as procurement differs a lot from one company to another and its good to be prepared for were your next role lands you. Best of luck

I was at 12k with 8 years exp so if anything you're probably okay but keep your eyes open for opportunities. Worth shopping around before your next review.

14k after 8 years is honestly fair, but it really depends on your level of responsibilities and skills.

wow we're all just gonna casually drop our salaries publicly now 😂 respect

Depends heavily on the studio size tbh. Small studios like OP's tend to cap lower regardless of experience because the overheads are different from bigger firms.

Starting as a freelancer can be very hard, I totally sympathize. But in my view the bigger issue isn't the rate, it's whether you're charging for revisions. That's where most designers quietly lose money. Make sure your contract is clear on what's included. Wish you best of luck on your freelancer journey!

Hi! 150 per sqm for design only is on the low end, especially for villa work. I charge 200–250 depending on complexity. Don't go below 175 for anything under 400 sqm. Hope that helps.

Entry level rates vary a lot by studio size but 5-6k is a common starting range for design assistants in Dubai.

honestly just happy you're getting paid on time in this industry lmaooo

5.5k for year 1 is pretty standard from what I've seen, I started around there too. But then, keep in mind there is no "standard". Salaries vary A LOT.

Hello fellow freelancer! I'm on IFZA, been on it 2 years. Total annual cost including license, visa and medical is around AED 18k. SHAMS is slightly cheaper but I've heard renewals can be slower. Both should work fine for residential ID and FF&E work.