With the airline I work for, the starting position in Ops pays about 15k a year plus shift with about 28 days leave a year. I personally don't understand why it is such a poorly paid and un-appreciated job, working in Ops. You could earn a lot more doing other jobs outside the industry that require you to have little or no qualifications, but I suppose, as has been said before, it is the thrill and enjoyment that keeps us there.
But for how long??? The career path in most airlines, does not provide great opportunities like other industries. It is no wonder that a lot of us working in Ops set our ambitions on flying for a living where there is a more exciting career path that is recognised and rewarded for by the company.
I think ops needs to become regulated in some way, and forming some kind of union may help push this.
Cheers