The guys that stand on the sidewalk with business signs

How much do these guys get paid? Before having a professional job, I just assumed that these people weren’t needed for the moment in their stores, restaurants, etc, so they’re managers sent them out to wave signs during slow afternoons. Now that I’ve been working for awhile and have actually talked to some of our city zoning people about signage, I know that sign laws are so strict in a lot of places that this is one of the few ways businesses can get signs out there; they have very limited options for placing signage on buildings, sidewalks, etc.

Is this a job people like doing? Is it satisfying? Do they get paid more than minimum wage? I mean, they have to stand out on the street, breathing car exhaust, having nothing to do, dealing with elements? Would it be condescending of me to walk up to one of these guys and just ask him? I really don’t want to be offensive. I’m curious.