It is a long road just to earn the qualifications/experience for that job; then there are the gate keepers... On top of that, you mention California. The water has been shut off to much of the northern half of the Central Valley for many years, they are working on the southern half now... Most all of California is on some sort of water rationing, or likely will be. Many aerial applicators have had to seek work in other states, if nothing else to make the payments on their equipment.