At least in Physics a big issue isn't so much the pay (you won't get rich, but you won't starve..) but rather the instability and uncertainty.

Due to the way Academia is structured there simply aren't enough jobs, and the more senior people can get stuck just writing grant applications instead of doing actual science.

I'd massively expand the number of National Labs and research institutes so it isn't such a pyramid scheme - and allow budget for some sort of "scrum master" figure to deal with the non-science bureaucratic stuff.

Expanding the grants budget would also help make it less desperate so scientists can focus on doing science and not begging for funds.