When I was doing PPL work I was paid £15 retainer per day and £12.50 per flying hour. This did not go up in the 6 years I worked there (down South), but I got onto other stuff like CPL, FIC and IR which was paid a little better. What I find so inexplicable is that most students have no idea that you are paid so badly and when a private owner wants you to do a biennial or some IMC refresher with you they are more than happy to pay whatever you ask - I asked for £50 per hour recently and the lady owner said I was "too cheap" and that she charges £1200 per day as a consultant!! Perhaps it is time we valued ourselves as professionals and started charging ourselves at realistic rates - after all, look what you have to pay to the accountant, solicitor or even your physio....