I flight instructed for some years in the Northeast. I grossed about 20K when I was working for an established school (part 61) with multiple programs that made it interesting to locals and visitors alike. Keep in mind, 20K meant working- or at least being at the airport ready to go- 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. The pay might be a little better now, but with the economy, it might not equate to larger earnings.

You may want to shop around for a place to get your CFI that could also at some point become your place of employment, because then you'll have your foot in the door. This scenario worked for me under different circumstances.

Sorry, no experience down south or west with 141 schools and their hiring practices, though I'm afraid to think that no one is hiring or will be for a bit of time.