Experience is important....but work ethic is kind of a hard thing to quantify....
I don't think so. Every place I've worked I could tell you about a person's work ethic.
But, there is an underlying theme to the thread that the person who works their arse off at Humpty's has to earn less than someone who has a job that requires more training/schooling, etc.
And I agree, but only somewhat. I think that if I'm going to invest $30-50K in a degree, I'm going to need to earn a return - which is a real shame that we've raised education costs to the point that we're not seeking knowledge, but instead ROI.
I don't think everyone should earn the same - nope. But, I'm solidly in the camp that anyone with a job should be earning enough to rent a place, feed themselves, and enjoy their lives at least somewhat. This is not true now.
Why not? Because the middle class and those earning less fight each other for the crumbs. We're taught that we don't deserve a living wage 'cause we don't have whatever it is that's needed: some skill, some education, whatever.
And to the argument that business can't afford those living wages? Again, read about minimum incomes. It can create opportunity as then start ups and low margin service businesses can make a go of it.