Thanks for the feedback! I should have phrased it, "Can I get an entry-level, 40-hr/week job? If so, what can I expect to earn after 5 years of industry experience?" I'm not expecting to go in and demand 40-hrs/week with an $80K 5-year promise. I am trying to figure out whether a 40ish-hour week is available 1-at all and 2-for an extremely entry-level position, if so, what advancement would be possible.

I figured extreme entry-level was the compromise, you know? I'm imagining getting up to $15/hr if I'm lucky and $12.5/hr if I'm not (and I'm planning on not). I knew people in the past who started with no CS degrees and worked up to very lucrative careers; however, they were younger, worked really long hours, and had resume gaps of only 2 years. I'm trying to figure out whether there's enough potential in being a minimal-hours programmer (if that's possible) to make it better than restarting as a writer from the bottom up (which is where I'm taking my $12.5ish estimate from). I'm hoping that f I'm willing to work for what an entry-level writer, an entry-level call center employee, or even some fast food workers around here make, that would count for something.

Fwiw, the reason I'm so picky about my hours is that I have two young kids who are dealing with the death of their dad. So while I get that programming favors those willing to work very long hours, I feel that's not morally an option for me. My kids already lost a parent. I can't just disappear on them. If programming is not the place for entry-level + 40 hrs/week, well, I guess I look at writing or call centers, where I can definitely find the schedule I need. I would expect occasional work emergencies, and I would expect to be studying after the kids went to bed for a while. I'm not, however, willing to sacrifice my kids' needs or my ability to have a relationship in order to gain a cool job.

Congrats on the career change! That sounds awesome.

And it's funny that you picked that particular example because I was actually offered an entry-level cooking job once based on self-taught kitchen skills, no schooling or job experience (though no souffle was offered). However, the business manager vetoed the chef's offer. I agree with them both, actually, and my takeaway is that if I apply for something with no experience again, I should beef up my knowledge of theory *and * bring a souffle as evidence. : )