speaking from my personal experience, I've seen non-competes being pretty pervasive outside tech and some states like CA or MA, I've had competitors flat out refuse to proceed with an interview because I had a non-compete. whether it is enforceable is a different question but it does reduce opportunities.
Like you said, it's probably not what the majority of people are experiencing.
CA or MA? Noncompetes have historically been completely unenforceable in CA, whereas until recently MA had a pretty oppressive noncompete regime. That contrast is actually commonly credited with why Silicon Valley overtook Route 128 in technological innovation: https://www.vox.com/2016/4/12/11349248/noncompetes-silicon-v...
Like you said, it's probably not what the majority of people are experiencing.