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.

>>36
Look at his photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Stepanov

Typical kikes and 1/2 kikes have sloped skull (easy to see due to early loss of hair due to genetic disorders), curly nigger-like hair, prognathism (big lower jaw, protruding forward), darkened skin (due to nigger ancestry), almond-shaped brown eyes (or just big eyes), enormous distance between eyes, puffy nigger lips, ingrown earlobes, acute ears (growing at significant angle), different nipples form and color. Jewish smile exposes gums, making Jew even uglier. Some kikes also have this specific Jewish stench.