What does a CFI typically earn???

[UnAnswerd]

If you were to get employment as a full-time CFI, could you possibly gross $700 a week, or is that way too optimistic???

 

[Bluto]

Everywhere I've worked that's way too optimistic. Most CFIs make between $14-$18/hour. Generally that's per hour flown or time billed to a student. I routinely spent 10+ hours a day at work to get paid for 3-4 hours. And that's with no cancellations. (Ironically, I've seen a similar setup at many regionals...) Depending on the school a very busy instructor might fly around 100 hours in a month, sometimes more, usually less. Keep in mind, that's usually while spending well over 40 hours a week at the airport. Don't assume those numbers mean you are only working 100 hours/month. By that reasoning, an average CFI might earn between $1400-$1800 gross in a month. That's pre-tax. Of course, your mileage may vary, etc. Some schools like IFTA ( http://www.ifta.aero/index.html ) pay their instructors well above average, but require some experience and expect a time commitment. Look around, but I'm afraid you won't find too many schools that pay what you are looking for. www.findapilot.com has some job postings for CFI's and occasionally lists pay rates. Good luck.

 

[UnAnswerd]

By that reasoning, an average CFI might earn between $1400-$1800 gross in a month. That's pre-tax.

Wow. And to think that at the age of 20, with no college, I currently make more than that with only basic automotive skills! I realize the Job of the CFI will always be immesly importaint, but if it's true that you typically have to work as a CFI before moving up into corporate aviation, then it has to be tough living!

 

[I.P. Freley]

In my last full year as a CFI (1999), I made just over $25k (gross), with a rate of $14-16/hr. As CFI's go, I guess I was fairly busy. But... First year at most regionals is a pay cut from that...

$700/week? That's $35,000/yr if you take two weeks off. I don't know anyone who made that kind of money as a CFI, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. I guess I was grossing around $500/wk.

 

[I.P. Freley]

And to think that at the age of 20, with no college, I currently make more than that with only basic automotive skills!

You can make more than an average CFI in almost any field of endeavor you can care to mention, unanswerd. An ex-gf of mine was making $750/wk or so as a manager at Ruby Tuesdays, and that was a pay cut from her prior job as a waitress in the same restaurant.

What you have to ask yourself is "how much money will I make at the top end as an auto mechanic as opposed to the top end as an airline pilot, even if I never leave the regionals?"

Then ask yourself the same question, throwing in the college degree that would get you the job at a major. Even at a LCC you'll drag down over $150k/yr as a senior captain.

 

[pppilot]

Yes it is possible

Were I currently teach I started out at 36K salaried plus benes, and thats a 40 hour work week.
Now do not expect to earn any money until you build experience and time, it is possible, but rare. I started out teaching college kids how to fly for 8.50 per contact hour, 12.50 once I got my CFII. I don't have personal experience in freelance instructing, but I have heard that in the right market a freelance instructor can make a descent living, where is this market???
If being a professional instructor is you goal, a place like IFTA or IASCO, I think even PANAM would be great possibility.

pp

 

[Goose Egg]

I make somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 per week, health and dental insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, etc. It's a great job, as far as the CFI deal goes. But then again, I had to have a college degree to get it.

Granted, I'm not a rich person, but I do better than most CFIs. And I have a full-time job in aviation. I can eat, pay rent, and fly. What could be better?

-Goose

 

[wiggsfly]

Hmm, there are also the Universities. Southern Illinois U starts there full-time instructors at $1,750/month salaried. The problem there is you probably won't see a dime on top of that for years. The FBP I'm at now pays about $15 per contact hour, but being we're in sort of a slump I'll be lucky to clear $500 this month. (That is with putting about 8hrs a day at the airport 7 days a week).

 

[Lead Sled]

Wow. And to think that at the age of 20, with no college, I currently make more than that with only basic automotive skills! I realize the Job of the CFI will always be immesly importaint, but if it's true that you typically have to work as a CFI before moving up into corporate aviation, then it has to be tough living!

Not only that, but after you've spent a stint instructing, most guys have to spend some time in a sucky paying charter job. It's called paying your dues. If you go into flying for the big $$$ alone, you're definately in the wrong career field.

Lead Sled

 

[banned username 2]

Wow. And to think that at the age of 20, with no college, I currently make more than that with only basic automotive skills! I realize the Job of the CFI will always be immesly importaint, but if it's true that you typically have to work as a CFI before moving up into corporate aviation, then it has to be tough living!

Back in 1991 I quite a full time Auto Body Shop job paying a little over $18,500/yr to go be a full time Flight Instructor making $13,000/yr... By the time I was done CFIing in early 1994 I was making $25,000/yr as the Chief Flight Instructor...

$700/week gross sounds pretty optimistic... If you are getting into Aviation for the money, go somewhere else... it takes 6-10 years before you start to see any reasonable wage...

 

[TransMach]

CFI Earnings

CFI's earn the respect of their students, if they are worthy. They earn the right to call themselves professional aviators, if they are worthy. They earn the opportunity get a better job in aviation, if they are worthy. But they don't earn any money, to speak of.

TransMach

 

[coolyokeluke]

I made between 10.5-12k a year way over 40 hour work weeks as a CFI. Started at $12/hr and was up to $16 when I left. Weather, cancellations, aircraft maintenance, one student at the beginning of the day and some at the end so no sense going home, might as well catch up on the mandatory (and unpaid) paperwork. It was a cool job with terrible compensation. I probably could've made $15k but I worked up to four other part time jobs that I made much more money at. A lot of self-employed flight instructors were getting $30/hr but they typically didn't have as many students or they weren't getting instrument/twin time.