I believe it was Jim Penton who pointed out that JWs have a more pronounced hierarchy than most denominations in "Christendom".
Indeed, more important than getting paid (which as has been pointed out circuit overseers on up get forms of compensation), is the question of how much authority such an individual has over the rank and file. What happens to an individual do does not follow the direction or agree with the clergyman or priest or pastor or elder? In most denominations: nothing!