I find this topic fascinating. There was a while when I was frustrated and in debt and started researching stripping as a fast way to get out of the hole. An online forum called Stripper Web was particularly fascinating, as most of the community members are strippers, ex-strippers, or bouncers/DJs in strip clubs. I have a lot of respect for these women.
I considered it but ultimately decided not to because it probably would have ended the wonderful relationship I have with my boyfriend. It was a matter of priorities, and my relationship won out over the quick money scheme!
If I was the only one to have to deal with the reprucussions, I'd have been willing to put up with it.
And as far as pay goes, I'd say that nobody would be in the sex industry if they didn't get paid for it (unless they were forced/coerced into it). Girls who compulsively enter the sex industry because of past abuse could have an anonymous string of one-night stands without ever stepping foot in a strip club or porn studio. On top of that, there's on-the-job nastiness that no one would put up with if it wasn't for the money. For strippers, it tends to be guys who grope what they're not allowed to grope, and who basically spend the entire evening sexually harassing the strippers. (Yes, it's possible to be a gentleman in a strip club.) Then there's the possibility of stalkers, of the other strippers stealing your personal belongings, your clients, or both, and the general disdain the general population feels about strippers.
That said, I don't think a stripper who didn't enjoy their job could be very successful. A pissed-off looking girl never looks as attractive as a relaxed and happy girl. In fact, I'd say that anybody who hates their job doesn't do as well as someone who loves their job, no matter what industry they're in.
And, I'd like to note that I see a BIG difference between stripping and prostitution... with the exception of full-contact lap dances.
(Ew!)