Where have all the career instructors gone?, if the pay rates suggested on this thread are real, I guess I have answered my own question!
Frankly, I don't get it... there is a shortage of instructors today (EASA & FAA) and this is likely to continue for some time based on everything I have read about the industry. Maybe schools are paying too little to instructors which is why the shortage exists?
From what I recall pay rates 20 years ago were higher than this, indeed, base pay for newly qualified CAA instructors was around $24K (US based CAA School) and from what I understand, it is higher today. I believe senior instructors with CPL/IR/ME privileges can earn 3 times that amount.
I might suggest motivated FI's look towards a career in instructing (maybe a 5 year commitment to start) and attempt to convince potential employers they are worth the investment in return for this commitment, after all, how are the schools going to keep up with training demand?