most companies treat groundworkers as disposable labour, work em until they drop , replace em with another one. The wages reflect as such. The groundie works non stop, breaking his back, developing muscle injuries but the companies dont care.
depends on what company you work for. Some will treat you better than others. I have been a "Groundman" since I was 7 and climbed since I was 11 and have worked for various companies doing both and sometimes you are appreciated, sometimes not. A good Roping Groundman is hard to find and is not treated badly as there are not many who are that good. Around here the roof is about 15-18/hour for an excellent non-climbing Groundman.