So true.
But this applies to so many professions where certain actions have an effect on people. Even with the example above, train engineers/conductors, cruise ship captains, heck, even taxi drivers all have responsibility for transporting people from point A to point B safely. What are they worth. Does it matter the number of people carried?
In other professions - what is an architect who designs bridges that people travel over daily or skyscrapers where people work worth. The engineers or mechanics who work on those airplanes or engines?
Like you said - philosophical discussions where there probably isn't even a right answer

Your practical answer seem to be correct though. What you can bargain.

USMCFLYR