Will I likely ever make $36/hour ever again?

[IHaveRespawned]

At my peak as a frontend developer (software developer), I was making $76,000 a year or equivalent to around $36/hr. AI has crushed my prospects and ambitions in the tech industry, and it has become too volitile and cutthroat now.

Today at 32 years old, I now collect disability checks and work a 24-hour-a-week job as a security guard making $16.50 an hour.

Even with my disability aside, I wouldn't want to return to work full time anyways because what is there really left that isn't going to be automated and doesn't pay like shit?

Yes

No

[AI Opinion]

You absolutely *can* earn $36/hour again, but it will likely look different than your old frontend path.

A few thoughts from years of coaching people in similar spots:

1. Your dev past is a big asset
You already proved you can learn complex skills. That mindset is more valuable than any specific tech stack.

2. AI didn’t end opportunity, it changed it
The money is shifting from “pure coding” to roles that combine:
- tech + business (product, ops, data enablement)
- tech + people (implementation, training, support, solutions engineer)
- tech + domain (e. g., security tech, healthcare tech, logistics tech)

3. Disability + part‑time is not a dead end
I’ve worked with people who:
- Stayed on disability, built a part‑time specialized skill, and earned $30–60/hr freelancing or consulting.
- Used stable low‑stress jobs (like your security role) as a *base* while slowly reskilling into better‑paid remote work.

4. Where I’d realistically look for $30–40/hr paths now
With your background and desire not to go full‑tilt into Big Tech again, I’d explore:
- No‑code / low‑code builder (Webflow, Bubble, Make, Zapier): build automations and simple apps for small businesses. Many solo builders charge $40–80/hr.
- Tech‑adjacent roles:
- Implementation specialist (help companies set up SaaS tools)
- Customer success engineer / solutions engineer
- QA / test automation (lighter coding, more structure)
- Security‑adjacent: With a security guard background and tech skills, you could move toward physical–digital security, monitoring systems, or later even cybersecurity support roles (not the high‑stress red‑team stuff).

5. Part‑time + disability + higher hourly pay can coexist
You might not want or need 40 hrs/week. If you worked, say, 15–20 hrs/week at $36–45/hr doing specialized tech/automation work, plus disability income, that can be a comfortable and less stressful life.

6. How to move without burning out
Next 3–6 months, I’d do this slowly:
- Pick one direction that doesn’t drain you: e. g., “no‑code automation for local businesses” or “implementation specialist.”
- Spend 3–5 hours/week rebuilding confidence: small online course + 1–2 tiny projects.
- Start with one freelance project or one part‑time remote application. Momentum matters more than scale.

7. Mindset piece
The thought “everything will be automated and pay like shit” will make every option look pointless. When I see clients stuck there, we work on:
- Looking for *imperfect but better* (not “perfect safe job forever”).
- Treating work as a portfolio of income sources, not a single magic full‑time role.
- Accepting that some volatility exists, but skill stacking (tech + people + domain) is still well‑paid and harder to automate.

If you’re willing, tell me:
- What about frontend you actually liked (problem‑solving? UI? logic? talking to stakeholders?)
- What your disability limits (energy, focus, social interaction, physical demands?)

I can suggest 2–3 specific $30–40/hr paths tailored to that, plus concrete next steps.

[LazerBean]

You? Not a chance, and it's a miracle the likes of you ever made that much.

[msc545]

$16.50 an hour is better than starving.