Mate the 3rd and forth year appy almost gets $20 as a base rate + allowances + 12 extra weeks a year away + ASIC +++.
Now lets talk hangar rent on a airport - mates rates $4,000 up to $30,000 a month for nothing flash. I would like your input on this for your area.
$200 nope we mostly charged the same, but had a provision for about $20 per hour more - almost never used.
To run an avionics shop is cheaper to set up than a Eng/AF place, it is a myth otherwise and they do have bigger appy stuff up issues to deal with. But that is insurance issues.
Generally LAMES don't employ apprentices but companies do they may have a aviation type owner or may simply be a PTY company with an Irish CEO and not a LAME or a PILOT.
My say is mostly the first 18 months to 2 years an appy is not much help in actually "doing the job" but after that they should be able to do tasks. Over 3 years they can be useful.