a pfe , by definition , is profesional flihgt engineer, and you must have an a&p to get a job as a pfe. an so is a second officer. what it means is the so is a pilot with a fligth engineer ticket who does not have the senority to hold an fo position. pfe and so pays are the same, as they perform the same job. and in a lot of airines pfe and fo are paid the same too.

keep in mind, however, that there are very few airlines who hire pfe anymore. most hire so, because they know in the next 10 years they will retire the 3 crew planes, plus the 60 year old ex captains with no pensions go back to being so ( herpes).

i would not go into the pfe unless you want to get your licenses and be a pilot. if that is not an option, get a good mechanic job ( corporate maybe?)