Pharoah, from what I’ve seen, every flying job has money/lifestyle balance to it.
There will be many options out there in the near future. You and the Mrs just have to decide what option is most aligned with your needs.
I’ll give a few generalised examples from my view.
Firstly, I don’t think any one job is better than another. Just different.
I’ll start with Qantas.
Great Money (and is rightly the Industry benchmark) / International ops are tiring long term. Slow progression may lead to lack of career/job interest.
Jet *
Don’t know
VB
Money is getting better / Rosters don’t seem to be as bad as people think.
Jet Fly-in Fly-out Operators (mining sector)
Money is at the lower end (still comfortable though) / Rosters make up for it. Reserves during the week. Week nights at home. Weekends off.
Others feel free to correct me and/or fill in the blanks – but you get the idea.
A pilot in one airline may make twice as much as another, but may spend half the time at home.
Hope it helps – and remember, any option still beats sitting at a desk!