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.

>>18
While I don't doubt the more obvious ones, I don't think everyone on that list is a jew.

I looked up Salman Khan and Alexander Stepanov, and there's nothing that links them to jews. Well, I guess the latter could be because he's russian, and russians are slaves to the star, but still.

Salman was born to indian parents in the US. How is he a jew?