Let's start with the patties... The optimal thickness for burgers is about 3/4 of an inch thick (unless your making sliders or mini's which can be made a little thinner). Any thinner than they can tear when you transfer them onto the grill and dry out while being grilled.
The largest percentage of participants in the 2015 MLO salary survey is in the 56-to-65 age group: 41.7%. This is up from 39.7% in the 2014 survey findings.
MTs here in Oklahoma get paid roughly what most of you have said (25-30 bucks an hour) while MLTs get paid anywhere from 16-20 per hour. MLTs can report results and do so competently. As a matter of fact, Mr. CLS48, the MLTs that I know here tend to be as competent as the full techs.