Simple salary doesn't give the entire picture, though. A doctor generally makes more in the US than, say, Norway. The Norwegian doctor, however, doesn't necess

Simple salary doesn't give the entire picture, though. A doctor generally makes more in the US than, say, Norway. The Norwegian doctor, however, doesn't necessarily have a school loan since tuition isn't charged. If they live in a city, they don't need a vehicle, to pay health insurance, and their children's health care is free. The doctor gets maternity leave and they get paid sick leave if needed. They probably pay a bit more tax, but it isn't crushing. The entire life cost structure is simply different - without including some of these quality of life things in with the costs, it isn't a fair comparison.