Hello all,
I currently work in San Antonio, Texas commuting 25 miles one way to my 65 hour a week job making $13.74 on straight pay and $20.61 on overtime. I am 23 and still rather inexperienced in aviation having only been in the job for about a year. To make more money in aviation, I need more experience (duh) and to get out of SA. I feel as if I am not getting the work experience that I need to advance and that there isn't much room to advance anyway. I am currently a C level mechanic, entry level; a class A mechanic here might make around $18 an hour. Leads make a little more and from there it's management. I was told by the head of HR that if I was interested in relocating to Lake Charles, LA, I would be guaranteed $17 an hour and I am assuming nearly as much OT. I could also relocate to Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, or Everett, Washington, but I only know the pay I could make in Lake Charles. They did say if I was seriously interested in relocating, they would send me to whichever location for two weeks so I do not end up stuck there if I hate it. It would be a permanent move unless relocation is something I want down the road.
Perks of SA:
Cheap rent. I pay $550 a month, bills included, for a bedroom in a 3br house, however it is far away
The facility I work at has EV quick charge spots that I get to use for free to charge my Chevrolet Volt (that I bought used, not very Mustachian but I did pay cash)
Overall spending in SA is $750 with about $250 for groceries for myself and my wife
Disadvantages of leaving SA:
Moving. Company will give a relocation package if I decide to go, but it's basically an advance since I will be paying it back. Not sure if I can match rent here.
HR lady mentioned that Lake Charles is an oil town and things are a little more expensive there. I've worked in oil towns, things tend to be much more expensive
Figuring it out with the wife, who has one year of school left.
If I maintain current OT hours at $17 an hour, I will be looking at grossing $13,000 more a year, or $68,000 a year. No OT, puts me at $35,000 but this job has always been made on the OT. Another thing that HR mentioned is that there is room to grow and grow fast at Lake Charles specifically.
Thoughts? Questions?
Thanks in advance