i hear what you're saying there. it's not fair that folks come to me with back pain associated with manual labor. i make more than most of them. the only solice - in my mind - is that i invested 14 years in education after high school. the tuition and lost years of earning potential i guess have to be made up for somehow.

In a just world, the harder job would pay more. However, there's very little room for "Should" in business. In a system where employers are centered on making profits first and foremost, how much a person is paid isn't determined by how much work they do, but rather by important the work they do is, and how easy they would be to replace.

here is some examples from people that i know; Office manager with a B/A but no people skilss...75,000/yr Electrician no people skills....143,000/yr Engineer at Raytheon...120,000/yr Pier worker union member.....176,000/yr Petroleum engineer(my father)...250,000/yr truck driver...85,000/yr...Oner operator truck driver..up to 250,000/yr per truck.

THE REAL Q: How important is your health to you? If you can sustain the constant exposure to the elements AND the constant beating your body, your back and knees will take, are you prepared to make that sacrifice? Will either employer pay for your hospitalization and/or health insureance? There are LOTWS of Qs you have to ask yourself AND get concrete answers to. There isn't one intelligent person in this world who wants to make mistakes, have setbacks or fail. EVERYONE makes mistakes, has setbacks and fails. That's the reason pencils are mass-produced with erasers on the end AND there are reverse arrows, delete and backspace buttons on your computer. Procrastination - putting things off to a later time - seldom brings about a favorable decision. It doesn't make any difference whether it's one of life's many important decisions, a career change or an investment decision, there is an easy way to "get off the fence" and make intelligent, calculated decisions! UNLESS I'M REALLY under a lot of pressure to make a decision from a superior/boss, parent and/or other people OR in case of an emergency, I learned to make that decision Who knows you, better than you? No one - except Y-O-U! Who knows your habits better than you? No one - except Y-O-U! Who knows what you like and dislike better than you? No one - except Y-O-U! Before investing in anything, you have to investigate. Do a search and do research: 1] on-line AND 2] at the local library or libraries. AND 3] Ask questions of knowledgeable people. There are two old sayings: A] "The only stupid question is the question you don't ask." B] "So, you thought --- and think --- education is expensive? Just wait until you try ignorance." Remember this: When you are in a group and you or someone else asks a question; that question being asked could be a question one or more folks have on their mind, BUT are afraid to ask. DON'T be afraid to ask questions - and keep asking questions until you get understandable answers to your questions. This requires persistence and tenacity. Will some folks think you're a pain in the neck [and another place]? Absolutely. Don't settle for "fluff" answers or "smoke and mirrors" answers. THEN make your decisions. When you aren't sure how to make a decision, please continue reading my answer. HOW? Benjamin Franklin developed a very simple, yet very effective system. You can use more than one sheet of paper for any decision, one career or one type of investment. You can take as long as you like. You can take as little time as you like. You can simply ignore this. This may be your career and your life you’re getting answers to and about. Sit down in a very quiet place. No TV, radio or any other interruptions or distractions. On the left side of that middle vertical line, write "For" or "+". On the right side of that middle vertical line, write "Against" or "-". Under that +, you number and write down ALL those things or points which could help you to go FOR that question. Under that -, you number and write down ALL those things or points which could help you NOT to go or Against that question. Look at the numbers: When the + outnumber/outweigh the -, do it. When the - outnumber/outweigh the +, don't do it. Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Sources: Some personal observations and opinions. "THE University of Hard Knocks" Also known as ("a/k/a") "life's valuable lessons"

The determining factor for pay is the social benefit of the work. While digging ditches is obviously physically strenuous, it pays only a few dollars an hour. An attorney trying a jury trial will earn hundreds of dollars an hour. The market place determines which is more valuable. Just as the entertainer who sings, or acts or dances may be paid thousands of dollars an hour. Or playing golf or basketball pays lots and lots of money.

You know what my answer is, Simply99, but you also know as well as I do...that is not the way the world operates.....There are things called unions, but not too many "sweaters and humpers" belong to one. Unions are not encouraged in my "neck of the woods" nor in many other places. There are those who seem to believe it is their God-given duty to ensure that there continues to be a great gap between those who work in offices and those who bust their ass in the sun and snow and rain.

Hard manual labour definatly. It really annoys me when you here that those office pen pushers get high paid wages,when those who work hard outside in all weather kinds of weather get paid near enough nowt!I really don't under stand it! my heart goes out to all those hard working people who deserve a hell of a lot more.