Just saw something on CNBC regarding engineers, according to the report new engineers are getting starting salaries of $70K! I'm a mech eng, '02 and started at $50K. In 2002 this was a huge deal as a lot of my friends couldn't get a 'real' job and many accepted mid 30's because there was nothing else. I understand these are for energy companies and their experience may be very different then mine (Consumer Goods Manufacturing here) but engineering in my old company and I feel like most companies is nothing but a support function and that although the starting rate is high, these jobs top off VERY quickly.