> Low pay
I see you haven't hired a tradesman in the USA lately...
Sure, my body would hate me for it, but as a plumber I could make about half what I make as a SWE and given the progressive tax structure and business write-offs I'd probably net a comparable salary.
Really? Time to move to the USA I guess. Here in Europe it seems to me there's a big gap between minimum wage and high paying jobs. Not much in between
(Afterthought: Don't forget the time and cost of retraining. I don't doubt your statement that you'll make just as much but I doubt it'll be right off the bat)
Self-employment is more expensive than you think. On the positive side, generous IRA limits. In the negative side, health insurance costs. In my experience, that’s what gets ya. Tax differences are fairly minor and not enough to cover the gap.