keeping up to date on my skillset is the only reason i've made it this far, i stay on the bleeding edge of technology as a way to keep my rate up. but since y2k i would venture to guess you'd be surprised at the number of projects that have been lost to $5-10/hr india developers. back in 2001 everyone thought it would be unmanagable fad but the fad isn't over yet.
(regardless it is a rat race and the problems being solved today are the same problems that were being solved 20-30 years ago, just "improved" technology. it doesn't seem many in the (enterprise) IT field learn from the past so i fully understand why business leaders are happy to send projects to india.)
based on the current trends and the amount of effort i have to put into "updating" my skillset, at this rate i certainly won't be able to carry through to retirement.
but that is the great thing about america right? the ability to reinvent yourself.
It has certainly become a stable pool - one which is becoming more proficient. The thing is, that the pool has mostly been hired now and is experiencing wage pressure as businesses are beginning to have to actually compete for their services.