NOTE: working full time at a restaurant for $15/hour would be $31,200 a year.
This is a CONTRACT position, which means you have to pay the employer portion of taxes (an extra 7.5%), as well as no vacation days, health care, or any paid days off.
ALSO NOTE: Nowhere in this job description does it say this is an ENTRY LEVEL, JUNIOR, or INTERN level position. Note the phrases "proven experience", "strong expertise" and "proficiency".

Listings like this FORCE me to at least consider: Is it "over" for software development? Can you no longer make a living in this field, unless you live in the Third World? Have companies like this given up on having American employees?


Role Description
This is a contractor role for a Frontend Developer. The Frontend Developer will be responsible for designing and implementing efficient and responsive user interfaces for our web application. They will collaborate closely with back-end developers and designers to ensure seamless integration, optimize web performance, and maintain high-quality user experience. Additional responsibilities include troubleshooting, enhancing system performance, and staying updated on the latest frontend technologies and trends.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in Front-End Development, including proficiency in modern frameworks and libraries (e.g., React, Angular, or Vue.js) and Responsive Web Design
• Basic understanding of Back-End Web Development concepts, and working with APIs
• Proven experience in Software Development and building scalable web applications
• Proficiency in Web Development tools, techniques, and version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and communicate technical concepts clearly
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field is preferred

Compensation

• $50,000/year + stock options

I've never been confident in the future of computer jobs, and am surprised how many trads are programmers. 

I'm not.  In and of itself, it presents no moral dilemmas, and you either know how to do it, or you don't.  

Either of these are a good fit for someone who stands outside of the mentality of the larger society.

Listings like this FORCE me to at least consider: Is it "over" for software development? Can you no longer make a living in this field, unless you live in the Third World? Have companies like this given up on having American employees?

This was pretty much my takeaway in early 2024. Half my team of software engineers was told 6 months in advance they were being laid off in favor of contractors from Asia. I decided to switch to go back to school for electrical engineering.
It's definitely time for devs to start thinking about their backup plan. Based on population/industry trends, it's only going to get more and more economical to hire offshore compared to the US. I just hope that I'm not too late on switching streams. 

I'm investigating options for a career change ... though options are very limited for someone my age, and the types of things that would replace even 2/3 of my income are very difficult to get into, and there's no way they'd take a 57-year-old man into the program.

I'm actually considering something along the lines of EMT, since I'm actually very calm and composed in those types of situations ... have had to deal with a few in my life, where strangely enough I was not the least bit flustered by it.  But they don't make that much money.  Something along the lines of a medical technician, operating MRI systems or the like ... but those programs are full.  Now, more and more modern car mechanics could really benefit from IT skills, and since most cars are half computer now, and Ford has talked about a big shortage, and those jobs are difficult to offshore ... but again they'd be loath to invest time and money into training someone my age, and there's also a lot of physical labor involved, and I'm not sure that I would have the stamina to do it at my age.  When I have worked on cars, I'm usually sore for 2-3 days, but then it's possible I could get used to it.  Plus, you'd need to take 2-3 years to get trained up in school, and how do you support a family during that time?

Not really sure.  I think next steps will likely involve Great Reset and UBI.