First off, being a pilot is a social job. You've got to be able to have fun and deal with people. If you are flying "immersed in the machine" only, you'll not succeed very well. There are thousands and thousands of pilots that can all fly the airplanes. The ones that succeed are the ones who network, have/make friends, etc - and of course, luck does go a long way it seems.

You said: "...I'm not looking to make six figures, but I also know I could never do it as a hobby (because I'll never make seven figures.)..."

I call BS to this. First off, I am similar to you in your story. I am currently back in school finishing up a course of study un-related to flying. Assuming I move into that course of study (as opposed to another cockpit), I can easily make $45,000/yr right off. My wife does alright, as well. But even that aside, I can easily afford a C152 or an older C-172, PA28 or the like. You don't need 7 figures to fly as a hobby.

It sounds to me like you ought to consider another path.....