Ragspanner,
You are correct on $20.00 an hour in California you would not be able to afford a place to live. If you guys are contracting your services out, the average wage in the states is in the area of $32.00 - 35.00 per hour plus perdium ( $300 – 320 weekly) and living expenses. California is not the place to live if your goal is to save any money, that place will eat up every thing you make. But if the contracting firm you mentioned is only offering $20.00 try AIRMATE or MDTS if you hold an A & P license Im sure they could find something to suit your needs.
Good luck.