I'm not saying I'm a brain surgeon but I do believe that we do have a similar level of responsibility and profesionalism.
I have yet to meet a brain surgeon who cannot spell.
Whilst I agree that we possess a degree of ability and talent, I don't think we need get carried away and compare ourselves with high level medics etc. There is no requirement for degree level education for example, and I have encountered quite a few 'plodders' in aviation, who I definitely would not want anywhere near me with a scalpel.
For me, 40k for a 50+ tonne jet FO, and 70k for a year 1 captain on the same machine seems about fair. Plus all the usual extras of course! Add 20k and 30k respectively for anything over 100 tonnes, and take 10k/20k off for a turboprop (even though they are more demanding in many ways).