milonke

Hello people. I'm about to finish up my CFI checkrides within the next few weeks and am wondering about typical pay. With the current market, what kind of money should I expect to make? Also, if anyone knows of a good flight school that is hiring let me know. I have a four year aviation degree and will have the AGI/IGI when im all finished, and dont mind relocating......Thanks

jdlilfan

Kind of depends on the FBO and the location. In the midwest working at a mid size FBO/ part 61 school and taking into account weather, expect $150-$250 per week. Some weeks are better ($350+) and others during the winter are terrible ($50).

Obviously life at a 141 pilot factory in Florida or Arizona is a bit different...

SongMan

West Coast (California) is bit better if you get on with a decent 61 school.
I make $ 200 in a morning... then again, rent for 1 bed apartment is $1200 and $4 per gallon gas.
Still beats $150- $350 PER WEEK.

Laxrox43

If you can swing it, see about getting a CFI job down in Florida, or any other state where it is flyable weather 300 plus days per year. It's not gaurenteed work, but you will more then likey fly your butt off in the "off season" a.k.a. Winter season.

The job that I had down in FL, I averaged about 100 hours of flight time and 10 + hours of ground per month and made roughly $2,500/month (which is what you would make as a 2nd year FO at most regionals). AND since I have left (almost 2 years ago) their pay rates have gone up due to attrition! You will have to work for your money though. I was at the airport, sometimes, 7 days per week, but I still had time for the Palm Beach night life. So, no worries!

BrandedPilot

Anything less than $35 to $40 per hour TAKE HOME is not worth it.

You spent the cash, now charge a reasonable rate and never undercut other CFI's just to get business. Also be ethical and get your students done in the least time possible (don't be running students up to 100hrs for a private etc).

I know of a Hawaii club that is always in need of pilots (and life out there is not impossible as a CFI). This place was chill, and the management was absolutely top rate & former military guys you could depend on.

I flew solid 8 hr days 5 days a week, taught ground at night, and did ride alongs with mainland/intl visitors on the side. Other guys worked the front desk a few days a week for more income. You become a state licensed independent contractor, and can be paid in CASH directly from your student. Most of my students were Army helo drivers looking for a quick multi ATP or FW commercial rating - so there was plenty of flying and people who could afford the rates via GI Bill supplements. Very few locals flying though. We knew the two DPE's very well, and the pass rate was 100% the four years I instructed there.

I loved the place, and highly recommend it. Paid cargo jobs are available out there, and the locals only thing is a myth that I personally busted.

Take a risk.... fly in Hawaii! PM me if you are serious.

ChristheCFI

Arizona, Florida or Texas schools are still hiring with pay upwards of 25K/year to start. Folks at my school are making $35k+ after their first year. Schools with high instructor wash-out rates and JAA rules (i.e. Lufthansa) requiring more experience start at 40-55K/year. You'll need 500TT/200 Dual given to even get hired there.

Illini

Good luck on your checkrides! I work for a company in AZ that trains Chinese pilots. Starting salary is 35/yr and this allows you to relax and not worry if you get sick or don't fly for some reason. Don't think you won't work hard though. I find myself logging 5-7 hours a day and the cool part is that you take your students from PSEL through CMEL. PM me if you want more details or an email address.

Illini

DC2495

I'm in eastern WA/North Idaho, nestled in between two different Universities. Winter months last year I was only making about 500/mo. Now that I'm the senior pilot I make a substantial amount more, I'm out on 135 charters a lot of the time and really am at the airport much more than I should, I run into my duty day limit alot with all the diferent flying I do. You just have to find what works for you, you can make $40g/yr or $12g/yr in the business.

threegreen

i am in southern cali. 27/hr +OT+office time. avg 60-70 hrs per pay period (twice a month)

DC2495

If I hadn't just hit my IFR 135 MINS I'd be applying where you work! I get a whopping 22/hr when I'm flying one of the twins. 17/hr for all the singles, and 17/hr for standby/ground time.