How long until you are competent?

I'm a high school senior who is very interested in programming as a backup option for if my acceptance to music school does not happen, or happens with too little scholarship money to afford it. I'm pretty big on math, and have done a bit of Learn Python The Hard Way. I guess my question is, with or without college, how long does it seem to take until most people are able to begin programming for money?

I know it's a lifelong-learning experience, but surely there has to be a point in which you can support yourself on your work.

>>10

This is incredibly interesting to me, and perhaps ideal even. I'd much rather start off with a 30k salary with huge career advancement opportunities, than automatically go into a 50k a year career and stay there forever. Do you know if there is any way to find programs like this? That sounds pretty much right up my alley.