[ryanwaggoner]

Can you write code and actually get things done? Do you have examples of your work that look good? If so, get some freelance work. Charge $50 - 75 / hr and find work by responding to people posting Craigslist computer gigs.

If not, then find some way to survive for a couple months and build some simple projects. Like, really simple. Hell, just setup some wordpress sites with good-looking themes from Woothemes or Themeforest. Having 2 or 3 of those will satisfy 95% of people looking for really simple code-monkey work on CL. You won't get rich, but you can build up your list of clients in 6 months. Then you can either keep freelancing or roll that into a fulltime job ("I've been doing contract work for the last year...here are some example projects and client references.")

[Sargis]

Is it really that easy to charge $50-75/hr without being recognized as a decent developer?

[tansey]

$50/hr is VERY cheap. A decent developer in the Bay Area really should be charging at least $100/hr-- otherwise, they can just get a job and make more with less risk. Seriously good developers can charge upwards of $300.

[emilam]

I've been paid $100/hr with no proof of experience or that I could finish the project.

[byrneseyeview]

Is it really easy to be recognized as a decent developer without charging at least $50-$75/hr?

[wsc]

Yes.

[ryanwaggoner]

For certain skillsets (including some that the OP lists), charging less than $100 / hr should probably include some justification or people will just assume you're not any good because you're charging too little.

[slay2k]

Generalizing ryan's logic further:

"Can you write code and actually get things done? Do you have examples of your work that look good?"

If the answer's yes, freelancing is now just one of many options available to you.