Middle East VS Europe, better place to work as an Engineer

Hey guys, in this article, I'll break down the main pros and cons of working as an engineer in Europe and the Middle East, focusing on expatriate jobs, not local engineers who are citizens of these areas.

Let’s start with what most people are concerned about: salary. On average, an engineer with about 10 years of experience can expect to earn around $30-40k per year after taxes in European countries. In the Middle East, this number can be $100k or more per year.

In Europe, salaries are more or less equal, but in the Middle East, it varies depending on each country, company, and your citizenship. An Indian or Pakistani citizen might earn $30-40k per year, a European citizen around $100k per year, and a citizen from the United States or Canada could earn $200k or even $300k per year NET.

The next thing is the almost no taxes in the Middle East; unlike in Western Europe, where taxes can be 50-60% of your income. I know engineers in Eastern Europe earn $60-80k a year, but after taxes, rent, utilities, school fees, and living expenses, there’s hardly anything left.

But in the Middle East, a company might pay you, let’s say the same $80k a year but also cover your housing, pay for your kids’ schooling in good private British or American schools, and maybe even cover utility bills. So all your salary, except for food expenses, stays with you. The most important thing is how much you can save from your salary to build capital for the future, not just cover daily expenses. This is crucial when thinking about your career long-term.

Another criterion is the standard of living. European countries generally win in terms of infrastructure development, healthcare, education, sports, and leisure. However, cities like Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain can compete, so it depends on the exact location of your work. If you want to learn more about career opportunities in jobs in Europe and the Middle East, it's worth looking into more about cost of living and lifestyle in each country.

Vacation days are another comparison point. In most of Europe, you get about 20 paid days off, while in many Middle Eastern countries, it’s over 30. In Saudi Arabia, I had 38 days off plus 4 travel days, so in total 42 days, not including about 15 public holidays, almost 60 paid days off a year, which seems fantastic compared to countries with only 10 days off a year. A huge work life balance benefit.

The religious aspect of Europe and Middle East comparison is another consideration. In Arab countries, frequent prayers and specific behavior rules might be unusual for typical Europeans. However, my family and I respect the local traditions and customs. Many women fear they’ll have to wear black abaya covering everything but their eyes, but in many cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, you can wear typical Western Europe clothes. In more religious areas, wearing an abaya, a long dress covering the arms, is advisable, but it doesn’t have to be black. My wife had a colorful blue abaya and never covered her face, finding many advantages to this dress code since it simplifies outfit choices.

When considering working abroad, you must evaluate not just salary, but also work-life, life balance, education for your children, culture, safety, and how you can grow with your skills. If you're from around the world, and looking to work abroad, this region offers both challenges and unique opportunities.

Whether you're in software development, oil and gas, construction, or management, learn more about working with international companies. Many expats have built successful careers with great work-life balance in Europe and Middle East markets.

So if you're serious about your career, want to develop your skills, and find real opportunities around the world, make sure to research these areas in detail. This article is a small intro — to learn more, subscribe and follow upcoming content.

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