To be a CFI or not to be a CFI?
 

I have 600 TT with 300 ME. It's not that I despise the idea of instructing, I just don't want to fork over the money it will cost for the rating. Also, the flight school in my area only pays $9 an hour.
BUT, Ive hit a plateau and can't find a way to build anymore hours.
Would you hold out for something or get the CFI rating and instruct?

$9 / hour??? Is that per flight hour or is it a certain number of hours per day guarantee?

It's $12 an hour flight, $6 an hour ground school. The paychecks average out to $9 an hour, before taxes. It's painful.

It's hard to find non-CFI entry-level flying jobs. That's why most people get the CFI. You could network like crazy and beat the bushes for work.

Or look into banner-tow, pipeline, parachute ops, or traffic watch jobs. The downside to these is lack of IFR experience. The regionals are desperate so you'll get hired as long as you have the ATP mins, but you still have to pass training...

Get a job (not as a pilot).

Get your CFI.

Move somewhere else.

Get the CFI. If anything, it'll add new life into your aviation endeavors.

Local flight schools might pay $9/hour, BUT, you could go freelance and set your own rate. I'm pretty sure these flight schools are billing out CFIs at $50-80/hour and paying the $9. You can do better on your own as a freelance instructor. Find local flying clubs to get involved with. Spend time at the local airports and be seen. Meet people. Word of mouth will drive enough business your way.

Curious how you managed 300 ME with 600 TT?

Through luck and connections I did most of my training (private multi, instrument, initial commercial) in a twin at fuel cost. And contract work in a King Air.

It'd have to be-
Move elsewhere (incurring rent that I don't have now which would eat up most of my paycheck)
Get a job
Get CFI

Which I suppose I have to do becuase other options look few and far between lol. There isn't anywhere to get a CFI in my area except the collegiate 141 program where it's a year long program.

That's true! I did most of my ratings with a freelance instructor for $45 an hour. He was more expensive than the flight school but he was a former airline and current corporate pilot so I felt he was worth it. Hopefully someone will feel I am worth it 😄