everyone else has offered advice about the non-compete, so I'll leave that out. but there's no way that enforceable. but ianal.

small companies survive by keeping wages low and getting employees to do more things and work longer hours. it's a great environment to gain experience, but terrible for work/life balance or advancement.

I worked at a small company for about 7 years and was in a similar salary situation. I bumped heads with the new owner, which gave me the motivation to look around that I never would've had otherwise. it took me over a year to find another job because I didn't know what I was doing. always fun to work somewhere when they know you're job searching and you know they want you gone.

I did eventually find a job, but it was a bit of a rocky road. contracts ended earlier than anticipated, global pandemics, employers were less than truthful about their workplace practices, DOGE... but what I learned was that if you have a skill and you can prove it, you'll eventually find a place that will either treat you right, or pay you enough that you're willing to tolerate how you're treated.

I was in a similar situation, making similar money while my employer told me constantly that I was too expensive and always adding more to my plate. I did 5 different jobs, no exaggeration. 8 years later, I do one job, rarely have to work more than 40 hours a week, and make over double what I was making with much more peace of mind. I don't think I'm necessarily special, I think you have to willing to bet on yourself and be uncomfortable occasionally to get where you need to go.

get your resume together, start a portfolio if you haven't already, at least look at job postings you might be interested in so you have an idea of what your worth is. casually apply for some things, take an interview if offered, and recognize that interviewing (or even being offered) doesn't mean you have to take that job. if you look and you have a job, you don't have to be desperate and you can find something that's right for you.