US firms can pay higher R&D/engineering salaries because they have a lower cost of capital.
Part of the explanation for the lower cost of capital, is that US investors have a higher risk appetite than those in most other OECD economies; also, the US has an arguably more efficient pipeline (VC firms, etc) for getting money from investors to entrepreneurs.
Some of it is no doubt influenced by regulatory issues (such as taxation differences), but cultural differences likely also play a role.
Part of the explanation for the lower cost of capital, is that US investors have a higher risk appetite than those in most other OECD economies; also, the US has an arguably more efficient pipeline (VC firms, etc) for getting money from investors to entrepreneurs.
Some of it is no doubt influenced by regulatory issues (such as taxation differences), but cultural differences likely also play a role.