Please correct me if I am wrong, but even if we do not earn money, the point earnings do go towards a badge, so there is a nonmonetary award.  We are used to non-monetary rewards, are we not?  :)

Same here. Some posts are credited to my editor log and I get a dollar for them, others aren't, though I get 10 points for them. Maybe posts could be marked as paying and non-paying ones, so that those not interested in spending time on the discussion for no payment can move on to the next one.

The first 10 posts in a discussion topic are eligible for payment. Anything after the first 10 will not receive payment. If your response was one of the first 10 and you notice that the payment is not credited in your editor log, please send me a message, and I'll check into it.

How do I know how many points will be awarded to editors on questions and discussion posts?

It seems like the points awarded varies, and I am curious because I don't really get why some responses are awarded 45 points and others 10.

The point rates do vary. Here are the current main values:

1. Answering a question = 15 points

2. Adding a discussion post = 10 points

Extra points are earned if you receive a bonus or your answer is selected as the best response.

Same here. Some posts are credited to my editor log and I get a dollar for them, others aren't, though I get 10 points for them. Maybe posts could be marked as paying and non-paying ones, so that those not interested in spending time on the discussion for no payment can move on to the next one.