It is true that the first year pay is around $20,000 a year, but that pay rate increases dramatically the second year and continues to increase from there. You will not be earning that low wage for your first 10 years by any stretch of the imagination. Please do your research outside of these forums. You need to understand that the industry will look much different over the next ten years than it has over the last ten. I strongly encourage you to do research outside of these forums before you make your final decision. While there is much valuable information here, this vocal group of pilots does not necessarily represent the industry as a whole. Looking for advice on becoming a pilot here is much like asking which democratic candidate to choose on a republican website.