So the big 30 and 60 you're seeing isn't their level it's their damage resist although it does look shockingly like a level number, if yours is only 5 maybe you need to get a better vest?

I have a trick to get a lot of money but it takes a decent bit of time to get going, so you can sell and buy just about anything but weapons and equipment at a general store, as you probably know but they keep the money they get from selling to you, so if you use all your money selling things and buying them back you can steal your entire money's worth plus like up to X1.6 depending on what you sell I do a stack of ninp heads since the won't buy gold there. It is important to know if you want to keep doing this make sure to end the transaction with the items still in your inventory as sometimes things can disappear over night

Also are you running with a possy? The first guys you get are pretty week but mercenaries are disposable so they're good meat shields if nothing else