The regular software engineering market is very rough to get jobs in right now, particularly at lower levels of experience

Agreed. This is in line with experience of friends (Metro Denver, USA). Even senior folks are having a harder time than in the past few years.

Low to mid experience and trying to land FAANG-alike or finance jobs, I think. The “merely” 1.5-3x median household income comp range sure seems to have remained healthy, even for newbies.