I think its funny that so many people claime they will fly a cessna 172 if it paid well. Well here you go, we have pay banding.
I used to Fly a 172 for $200 a day. I used to do that flight 10 times a month. That's $2,000 + about $800 for cfiing = $2,800 a month. I was home every night, weekends off and with a lot of free time.
Career progression in equipment, not pay and QOL. But with almost no multi engine, turbine or transport cat I had to move.