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Residents get paid, doctors don't spend their 20's as un-paid employees of the medical system.

You should talk to more teachers.

Unless you don't have other options or really, really love teaching, I wouldn't recommend becoming a teacher unless the pay was greatly increased. Too much liability and annoyance of dealing with other parents.

Or if you want a M-F, 7a-3p job with great vacation.

Though you might need to grade homework/projects on your time off, as well as develop lesson plans.

(I went to a Super Bowl party, and there were teachers grading worksheets in the corner.)

Lots of people work hard and work long hours all their life; where's their big payday?

They may not have a choice, people who are intelligent enough and/or supported enough to become doctors presumably have other high paying options. High pay is determined by supply and demand, not how hard you work.