Base salary or commission only? Choosing your pay structure in Dubai
Most real estate jobs in Dubai pay by commission. Some agencies add a monthly base salary, especially for beginners. Neither is better in itself: it depends on your savings, your network and the agency.
Commission only
You earn a share of every deal you close, and nothing when you do not close.
- For you: usually a higher split, more freedom.
- Against you: months without income are common at the start. You need savings to hold on.
Base salary plus commission
You receive a fixed amount every month, plus a smaller share of your deals.
Engel & Völkers Dubai writes that “there is no fixed real estate agent salary in Dubai”, and that when agencies offer a basic salary to new agents, it usually comes with lower commission rates, targets (KPIs) and clawback clauses (December 2025).
- For you: a safety net while you learn.
- Against you: a lower split, targets to reach, and sometimes money to pay back if you leave early.
How to compare two offers
Do the maths for your first year, not for your best month:
- Write down your realistic number of deals per month for months 1 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 12.
- Put each offer in the commission calculator: price, split, base salary.
- Add what each agency pays for you: visa, broker card, training, leads, marketing.
Questions to ask about a base salary
- How long is the salary paid, and is it guaranteed?
- What are the targets, and what happens if I miss them?
- Is the salary an advance on future commissions?
- Is there a clawback if I leave, and how much?
- Is all of this written in the contract?
On CloserPass, every job shows if the pay is a base salary, commission only, or both, when the agency gives it.