Flying Freight
I believe at Ameristar you either start in the LearJet or the DA-20 (Falcon 20). They do not have anything smaller as far as I know. They also have a small number of 737s and DC9s. I have heard rumors of Ameristar hiring directly into the DC-9 or 737, but they are just rumors. Their Learjet and Falcon fleets are much larger than the 737/DC9 - someone else knows the specific numbers.
I can't comment on what Ameristar is getting for time with new hires, but at USA Jet, the minimums are around 2500TT, and I think (but I'm probably wrong, 1000 ME). The actual hours were much higher - perhaps 4000TT. PilotYIP posted the hours and experience previously for a class of DA-20 new hires that started just last week. They make $33,000 to start (approx), although I *think* they are making less in training.
A DA-20 Captain at USA Jet (which you probably would get in 2-3 years presently) makes a base pay of $49,000. That is with a 65 hour guar. and 9 days off per month. A 4th year DA-20 Captain makes $55,000 per year ($71 per hour).
Now the quality of life is different between a CRJ FO and a freight FO - I don't think anyone would argue that. The discussion was about pay, and I wanted to add what I could.
iaflyer
[edited to mention USA Jet is a part 121 air carrier that both hauls freight (DA20 and DC9) and passengers (DC-9 only)]