I'm a contractor. I started learning front end coding in late 2007, and backend software development in late 2008. I didn't get a full time backend software dev contract until 2010 and I read a LOT and started working on my own pet project to learn during that year before, etc. I negotiated hard, and even played hard to get (but also was very humble and nice - hard to get doesn't necessarily mean "you can't afford me!", etc., more like "I'm sorry. I love the team I I think I'm a great fit, but I just can't afford to accept an offer below X"), and that first contract ended up being full-time at $90/hr. That set the precedent in my mind. Once you decide something very solidly, you will find a way to make it happen.
Ask for what you want, and remember, even if it's a pain in the neck and takes a long time, if you can earn double, every year is like 2 years.