You may be able to get an FAA licence without a restriction following a successful flight test. I have an EASA Class 1 with an OML but my FAA Class 1 is unrestricted (it has a Statement Of Demonstrated Ability or "SODA" attached to it). An FAA licence might be OK if you wanted to work in Asia.
I don't think your FTO contact has got it right. You can instruct ab-initio as a PPL with a Class 2 medical - don't know about your medical but mine gives me unrestricted Class 2 privileges. I suspect (s)he's also wrong about Aerial Work - if you are being paid you need a Class 1 so you couldn't do it single pilot.