4 Underrated Skills That Are Worth Up To $100,000+ In 2025

4 Underrated Skills That Are Worth Up To $100,000+ In 2025. As the Middle East job market evolves in 2025, driven by rapid economic growth in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, certain skills are emerging as game-changers for Indian professionals seeking high-paying careers. While technical expertise and degrees remain important, some underrated skills can unlock salaries of $100,000 or more annually. At Mahadjobs.com, powered by Mahad Manpower, we’re seeing these skills in high demand across industries like hospitality, technology, and healthcare. Here are four underrated skills to master in 2025 to land top roles in the MENA region.

4 Underrated Skills

1. Digital Project Management

Why It’s Underrated: Many overlook project management as a “soft skill”, but with certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or Agile, it’s a goldmine in the Middle East.

Why It Pays: Mega-projects like Qatar’s infrastructure developments and Dubai’s smart city initiatives require skilled project managers to oversee timelines, budgets, and teams. Companies value professionals who can deliver complex projects on time, especially in construction, IT, and hospitality.

• Salary Potential: $80,000–$120,000/year (e.g., Project Manager in Dubai, AED 25,000–40,000/month).
• Demand on Mahadjobs.com: Listings for Project Coordinators in Qatar and Program Managers in Saudi Arabia are surging, with 50+ openings in 2025.
• How to Get Started: Enrol in PMP or Agile courses (online platforms like Coursera offer affordable options). Highlight experience managing teams or budgets on your Mahadjobs.com resume.

Example: A Duty Manager with Agile certification can transition to a Hospitality Project Manager role, earning QAR 30,000/month in Doha.

2. Data Storytelling

Why It’s Underrated: Data analysis is common, but turning numbers into compelling narratives for decision-makers is rare and highly valued.

Why It Pays: Businesses in the UAE’s financial hubs and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 projects need professionals who can interpret data and present it to non-technical stakeholders. This skill is critical in finance, marketing, and healthcare, where strategic decisions drive growth.

• Salary Potential: $90,000–$130,000/year (e.g., Data Analyst in Riyadh, SAR 25,000–45,000/month).
• Demand on Mahadjobs.com: Roles like Business Intelligence Analyst or Data Consultant in Dubai are growing, with 30+ listings requiring storytelling skills.
• How to Get Started: Learn tools like Tableau and practice presenting your insights clearly. Add “data visualisation” to your Mahadjobs.com profile.

Example: An Indian CA with data storytelling skills can land a Financial Analyst role in Abu Dhabi, earning AED 35,000/month.

3. Cross-Cultural Communication

Why It’s Underrated: In diverse workplaces like Qatar and the UAE, the ability to navigate cultural nuances is often undervalued but essential for leadership roles.

Why It Pays: Multinational companies seek managers who can unite diverse teams and communicate effectively with clients from different backgrounds. This skill shines in hospitality (e.g., Duty Manager) and corporate roles, where client satisfaction is key.

• Salary Potential: $70,000–$110,000/year (e.g., Guest Relations Manager in Qatar, QAR 20,000–35,000/month).
• Demand on Mahadjobs.com: Hospitality roles like Duty Officer (45 openings) and Duty Manager (7 openings) prioritise candidates with strong communication across cultures.
• How to Get Started: Take online courses in intercultural communication (e.g., LinkedIn Learning). Highlight multilingual skills (English + Arabic/Hindi) on Mahadjobs.com.

Example: A Duty Officer fluent in English and Arabic can secure a Guest Relations Manager role in Dubai, earning AED 30,000/month.

4. Cybersecurity Awareness

Why It’s Underrated: Often overlooked, basic cybersecurity knowledge—not just for IT experts—becomes increasingly crucial as companies confront escalating cyber threats.

Why It Pays: With digital transformation in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector and the UAE’s tech hubs, employers value non-technical roles (e.g., HR, operations) with cybersecurity awareness to prevent breaches. This skill boosts employability in IT, finance, and healthcare.

• Salary Potential: $85,000–$125,000/year (e.g., Operations Manager with cybersecurity training in Riyadh, SAR 30,000–40,000/month).
• Demand on Mahadjobs.com: Listings for IT Coordinators and Operations Supervisors in Qatar increasingly require “cybersecurity basics” knowledge.
• Start by obtaining an affordable Comptia Security+ or Google Cybersecurity Certificate online. Please consider including “risk assessment” or “data protection” in your Mahadjobs.com resume.

Example: An Indian HR professional with Security+ certification can land an Operations Manager role in Dubai, earning AED 35,000/month.

How to Leverage These Skills with Mahadjobs.com

With these steps, Indian professionals can turn these skills into high-paying MENA jobs:

1. Upskill Fast: Use platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning to gain certifications in 3–6 months.
2. Update Your Resume: Add skills like “PMP certified” or “Tableau expertise” to match Mahadjobs.com job requirements.
3. Apply Strategically: Sign up on Mahadjobs.com, upload your resume, and target roles like Project Manager, Data Analyst, or Guest Relations Manager in Qatar, UAE, or Saudi Arabia.
4. Network: Follow Mahad Manpower on LinkedIn (Mahad Manpower Qatar) and Instagram (@mahadmanpowerqatar) for job alerts and tips.

Tip: Mention these skills in your Mahadjobs.com profile and cover letter to stand out. For example, “Certified in Agile, skilled in cross-cultural team leadership.”

Why Indian Professionals Excel

Indian candidates are highly sought after in the Middle East for their work ethic, technical skills, and adaptability. With 8+ million Indians thriving in the Gulf, adding these underrated skills can set you apart, especially in competitive fields like hospitality and IT.

• Success Story: Rajesh from Chennai added PMP certification to his resume and landed a Project Manager role in Doha via Mahadjobs.com, earning QAR 35,000/month.
• Success Story: Priya, from Bangalore, learnt Power BI and secured a data analyst role in Dubai, earning AED30,000 a month.

Conclusion

In 2025, skills such as digital project management, data storytelling, cross-cultural communication, and cybersecurity awareness can lead to salaries exceeding $100,000 in the Middle East. With Mahadjobs.com, Indian professionals can master these skills, apply to high-demand roles, and build thriving careers in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Don’t miss out—start upskilling today!