US high-skill jobs optimize exclusively for high numeric salary while the culture in other developed countries allows high-skill people to have a subjectively h

US high-skill jobs optimize exclusively for high numeric salary while the culture in other developed countries allows high-skill people to have a subjectively higher quality of life while earning less money. The US can't be beat if what you want out of life is a big house, a big SUV, and as much money invested as possible. If you want things like a lot of paid vacation time, the option to live in a walkable community, working public transit, more psychological and economic security in the face of major illness or injury, etc, then you'll get a better deal elsewhere. Most places other than Japan also offer a much better work-life balance. Which is better really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want.