Mid east is not the money maker it used to be in the seventies and eighties. I only hear sob stories from EK that they do not pay the going rate and that it is a bum deal. However, as had been said before, cost of living and personal circumstances have to be taken into account.
For EK an LAE would on at least 5000 US a month, house and utilities provided, schooling paid, allowance for a car and airline travel perks. But Dubai is a quite an expensive place to live compared to Abu Dhabi up the road. So the guys at GAMCO in AD may be on a bit less per month, but the money could go further.
Even AD aviation a heli operator pays these kind of rates but less perks.
Qatar Awys in Doha have always paid a bit less than EK but I understand of late they have improved the offer.
All of the above are tax free of course which is a saving of 35-45% depending on where you are coming from.