First year held cpl, casual charter rate with Aero Club.
Second year, Instructor Rating then repaid half cost back to Club by casual instruction weekends at Class 3 instructor award pay rate, worked in family business during week.
Third year as company pilot for motor dealership, other work involved truckdriving and spraypainting. Paid somewhere in among various awards.
Fourth year Chief Pilot when company got SE charter licence. award at the time.
Break from full time flying for 18 months while working in family business.
Rejoined company for three years as SE VFR CHTR then ME VFR Reg203Exempt commuter pilot. award was backpaid. Left with 3500 hrs.
Off overseas to join small international airline, MEIFR, award. Contract was similar and modeled on Australian award at the time. Left with 10500 hrs.
Various (smaller) airlines with turboprops since. Award or similar negotiated contract.
The early years were some time ago. The industry is different with much more rapid advancement when there is the up cycle now.