Difference is pilots are responsible for people's lives, in a tin can, doing 500mph, 6 miles above the earth, OAT -56, not enough oxygen to breathe. That's why they are paid (or should be) lots of money. Anyone who thinks a pilot hasn't a lot of responsibility shouldn't be let anywhere near an aeroplane let alone have anything to do with one!
Someone I'm very close to was a miner, though he got on with his life and did very nicely! He's 70 now, fit as a fiddle and having too much fun he's no time to be bitter.