At xjt 1st yr i think i made lower 30's including per diem. Yrs 2-4 i made 42-43 + per diem which totaled right around 50. I have had a pretty respectable QOL my whole time at a regional. Regional contracts have a lot of little perks that 135 or corporate flying never see. Its not a get rich quick scheme but I have averaged 15 days off a month since i have been here and have been able to trade for productive trips because i live in base. I fly around 800 hrs a year. If i had to worry about a commute i would have gone 135, CBP, or some other government job.