[kevin_thibedeau]

> Meanwhile, the 30 year old MIT engineer has good odds of making six figures as a senior tech or technical lead.

Only in the major urban areas of the left and right coasts. Other places you have to fight to make above 75K.

[Thriptic]

True, but it's still possible to save quite a lot of money on such a salary because the cost of living is much lower outside of major urban areas on the coasts. My friend who is a chem E in the midwest is taking home about 70K and has already saved 6 figures over 4-5 years because his burn rate is so low ($400 per month rent etc).