Dubai Real Estate Hiring Boom Faces High Turnover and Short Tenures
Dubai thriving property market continues to attract new real estate agents in record numbers, yet industry experts warn that high turnover remains a major challenge. According to a report by Executive Search, an average of 37 new agents enter the market daily, bringing the total to nearly 40,000 active brokers—the highest in the city’s history. Despite this 70% year-on-year hiring surge, retention has dropped sharply, with average tenures falling from 12 months to just six months or less.
Recruitment Surges but Retention Remains the Challenge
Driven by new brokerage launches and rising market demand, Dubai’s real estate recruitment has reached unprecedented levels. However, luxury and off-plan specialists tend to stay longer—up to two years—while rental agents and newcomers often leave within three months. Firms investing in training and mentorship enjoy the highest success, achieving retention rates between 80% and 90%, the report found.
“The number of active brokers approached 40,000 and brokerages exceeded 7,900, reflecting both opportunity and saturation,” said Nathan Kearney, Managing Director of Executive Search. “Yet beneath the growth lies a persistent challenge: short tenures and high churn. While commissions have nearly doubled year-on-year, income remains unevenly distributed.”
Market Drivers and Broader Hiring Trends
The UAE’s property sector continues to benefit from pro-investment policies, including the Golden Visa program and permits for remote workers. The influx of global millionaires has further fueled luxury real estate demand. Pedro Lacerda, UAE Country Head at Tasc Group, noted that over 140,000 apartments and 30,000 villas are under construction, prompting developers to hire across sales, marketing, customer relations, and administration. “We’re seeing consistent demand not only for sales roles but for the entire ecosystem that supports these projects,” he said.
Skills and Reality Behind the Glamour
“Real estate will always be lucrative if you’re good at it, but only a small percentage have the discipline to truly succeed,” said Nicki Wilson, Managing Director of Genie Recruitment. “It’s not a 9-to-5 job, despite the glamorous social media posts.” While broker earnings have surged—reaching AED 3.2 billion so far in 2025—the average agent now closes fewer deals due to oversaturation. Top performers, especially those in luxury and off-plan segments, earn more than AED 1 million annually, while average brokers take home about AED 18,000 per month.
Commission Models and Income Structures
Agent income in Dubai’s real estate market is fully commission-based, depending on deal size, volume, and commission splits. Larger firms provide steady leads but lower payouts (40%–50%), while boutique agencies offer higher splits (60%–70%) with fewer leads. Off-plan agents enjoy higher developer commissions of 4%–6%, whereas leasing agents rely on multiple smaller transactions monthly. “Some firms now offer basic salaries or restructure commissions to retain top talent,” said Wilson.
Developer Commissions and Payment Timelines
Developers structure commissions differently from brokerages. Instead of large one-time payouts, they offer smaller, steady rates of 0.3%–0.8% paired with fixed salaries and performance-based incentives. Major developers such as Emaar, DAMAC, and Sobha Realty typically release commissions quarterly, aligning them with project cash flow rather than booking numbers. For post-handover payment plans, commissions may be deferred 12–24 months, offering agents long-term income stability.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Growth and Sustainability
Despite strong market fundamentals, Dubai’s real estate sector must tackle the imbalance between growth and agent retention. Continuous investment in training, mentorship, and performance-based rewards will be key to sustaining this boom. As new communities like Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Marina, and DAMAC Hills expand, the city’s brokerage landscape is evolving into one of the most dynamic and competitive in the world.
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