Preach it Brother. When I quit my airline job to fly ag I was very irritated at the number of friends that couldn't understand why I quit a career job for a time builder. They just didn't understand it was the other way around for me.

Now that we have identified Aerial Application as a career choice. How does the pay compare to other jobs in both the aviation and ag areas. I like the individual who started the post Have a love for both fields (ag and aviation) and was curious.

And Im sorry if the info is out there, my network here is prohibited to say the least. Its really hard to find the info i need/want for the time being

it is a lot like commercial fishing: the job is seasonal and the pilot usually makes a percentage of the take or is paid by acre. the season is only a few months, but we work like crazy during those months. often flying 10 to 14 hours per day. some years are good some are worse. the pay is typically 15% to 25%. which can be anywhere from $0.25 to over $2 per acre. guys with their own planes take a lot more.

I am a relative newbie to the field and on a per-flight-hour basis, i make about 3 times as much as my wife, who has 10 years with one of the better regional airlines. however she makes more money than me over the year. i expect to surpass her in another season or two. (but she ought to be into a legacy by then. crossing fingers)

There is an outfit that does some aerial spraying out of the municipal airport near me. Ag aint real big in the valley where im at. Grew up in the midwest. Might talk to them see about getting my foot in the door or atleast pick their brain a bit.