It used to be that dive instructors were dime a dozen and being a Course Director was something special. Nowadays, Course Directors are also dime a dozen. There's one every corner. Therefore, expect the pay to be as low as it is for dive instructors, especially since they can easily be replaced by an IDC Staff instructor who will most likely do it for free to 'gain experience' for his/her Course Director Training Course (CDTC) application.
(...) CD popping in now and again for orientation and to show fsce (...)
The Course Director actually has to be 'available' when the IDC Staff is teaching. But, ya... The IDC Staff can do most of everything.
As mentioned above, Course Directors who make a living are teaching all level of training, not just instructors. It is possible that they can more easily 'sell their credentials' and recruit entry-level students by being Course Directors - but it's unlikely, as most entry-level divers have no idea what a CD is.
To make (some) money, you will have to be actively involved in recruiting instructor candidates. You would have to start by being very active at teaching rescue divers and divemasters. The flip side of the discussion, here, is: I've seen instructors become Course Directors and then expect the local dive shop to do all the recruiting and marketing for them, while they sit at home and wait for an IDC to be scheduled. That doesn't work.
(...) Hence no 12000USD "invested"...
I think you would find out that the total cost of a CDTC is much more than that (with hotel, transportation, etc, etc).
But, eh... It's a nice diploma in your business office next to your pilot license!
