EMS Pilot possible career change questions

[Hopeful Michael]

Hello Everyone,

Not to give TMI, however its kind of relevant to my questions. I am 30 years old and I currently make about six figures in sales at a work from home job, and me and my wife are thinking about adding a little one soon. My sales help people and I like what I sell, but I want something more steady, more direct in helping the community, and kinesthetically demanding. I have just started looking into this career and I love the "IDEA" of it, yall are basically super heroes. There are just some questions that id like some updated information on, because a lot of the information I am finding has aged a bit. 

 1. I am 30, I realize that getting to 2,000 hours and a CFI & CFII certification can take me well into my 30s. Is that too late? Is there a specific thing that I can do to accelerate this, but still have the skills to be a dependable pilot?

2. I am looking to make a lateral move in Salary. I like my life financially and honestly the first time I've been here and i am scared of changing career's and losing that. Is this usually a six figure job? I see some people that say it is and some people that say it isn't so I am just seeing what current people in the profession make, round about of course. The job description is epic, so I think it would be a no brainer, but you never know.

3. I know a lot of EMS pilots work on 7-days on and 7-days on. Do you usually find that you accrue vacation time on top of that? like if I wanted to take 2-3 weeks off for a family vacation, is that possible since you already get so much time off?

4. Are helicopter pilots in high demand still? I know they were a few years ago, but things can change very quickly. I am currently in Houston, honestly I'd like to stay here, but beggars cant be choosers. So, what do you find the current job market is like?

5. Also, a big one. What is life like getting from 200 hours to 2,000 hours. Is it job flights, do you have to pay for flight time? How do you even get there when you have the bare minimum experience?

6. Last one I promise. Do you think I can keep my 9-5 while I take this journey? its pretty flexible and I am actually finishing my bachelors now and working full time so they are pretty accommodating, but will that be enough in your opinion?

[Hopeful Michael]

I out this in the wrong topic, apologies!

 

[Disguise Delimit]

Stay with your 6-figure job. It will be a loooooong time before you get enough hours, qualifications and general experience to be considerd for an EMS slot. And during that long time, you will be moving workplaces regularly, eating packet noodles, and kicking yourself for changing lifestyles as you head for the divorce court. They call it AIDS, the Aviation-Induced Divorce Syndrome.

[Navy pilot]

I fly EMS helicopters in Houston.  The pay for experienced pilots starts around $90,000.  You’re going to spend a ton for the training and lose a ton of money building hours either paying for them or being an instructor. You can build hours as an offshore pilot making good money though.   I’ve only been here a few months and I am already stating to look for other places to work.  I’d stay with the higher paying job, this is a fun job, descent pay for what we do, but not worth what you’ll go through, IMHO.  Plus, I’m not sure this career is stable for the long term.  With the No surprises act and insurance reform, I’d be cautious putting my families financial future on the line.