What is the typical salary chain when starting as an A&P mechanic and moving up?

There are three primary routes an FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician with airframe and power-plant certificates (commonly referred to as A&P mechanics) can take:

1. Open his/her own business, either as a mobile mechanic or as a fixed-base operator at a specific airport location. Prevailing labor rates that I've run across as an aircraft owner are anywhere from $40.00 to $90.00 per hour, depending on location, the type of aircraft you're working on, and the current economy. You would need to subtract out your expenses to estimate your profits as a business owner.

2. Find work at an existing aircraft maintenance company in the general aviation industry. These companies support all kinds of flying, including jets, helicopters, turboprops, and piston engine aircraft, but do not typically work on airliners or scheduled charter operations. Full time A&P mechanics at this type of operation can expect to earn between $20.00 and $23.00 per hour, or $41,600 - $47,840 per year.

3. Find work at a commuter, regional, or major airline. The airlines typically have their own maintenance crew, hangars, and specialized equipment. You will need a strong resume to get hired by an airline, but the pay is better. Full time A&P mechanics can expect to make at least $27.00 per hour ($56,160 per year) working for an airline, with higher pay as you move up the ladder. According to glassdoor.com, some mechanics at Southwest Airlines are making between $82,000 and $89,000 per year.

Hope this helps! You can find a list of FAA-approved A&P schools at Mechanic-School-Directory.com

probably not really very high pay. depending on your area and the amount of problems you fix (busy airport, more problems)

enough to get by

Try this:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos179.htm#earnings