Well of course not a mercenary is paid way more than a pawn but they also don't have the entire force of the US military on their side. Not to mention most mercenaries are veterans of military so you can still get much better than hazard duty pay unless you lost a limb or something. I look at like the best opportunity for a pawn personally.
Only problem with the US military not paying contractors is the same as road crews, if they don't spend the entire budget they will get less money next year.
Why is a merc paid more than me, a pawn, in your words? Most merc's are old veterans, why not just pay the soldiers to do their jobs? Why not get rid of the military and go private then? I'm not sure you understand the gravity of contractors. They literally hire contractors for EVERYTHING. On most larger bases, Bagram, Leatherneck, Kadahar, etc, cooks, gas pumps, engineers, tech guys, you name it are all contracted out. Meanwhile most Pogs are used for bitch work, and infantry guys patrol. The government pays these contractors more than soldiers, and promises easier access to a visa in America. All my interpreters and contractors I worked with and met said they were only in it for visa, the money wasn't even that important.