I have a job that's almost like you describe. I'm a software support engineer. (A job some find undesirable, so it keeps the field open and provides a decent

I have a job that's almost like you describe. I'm a software support engineer. (A job some find undesirable, so it keeps the field open and provides a decent pay scale.) I don't get paid 'by the piece', but I do work remote and don't have to put up with much office-nonsense. I really like the job. Maybe you can find one like it. About 'piece work', I think that'd be a hard game to play. There are lots of talented programmers all over the world, and some of them live in low cost areas to live. (Very low cost.) I'd hate to compete with those kind of folks for a paycheck, even when I win I wouldn't win much. Good luck to you!