85k is starting but it is also affected by wages in Seattle and Silicon Valley. The deal is that 100k or even 150k doesn't get you very far especially in the Bay area. In Utah you see starting salaries anywhere from 65-95k which is still extraordinary for a bachelor's degree. Graduates with social and business skills can practically choose where they want to work. I have to constantly make sure the environment I have for the developers is top notch to keep talent. Luckily I have only lost one who left in over 5 years of doing this so they must like my charm.

So, the point is, it is a great career choice. I always encourage more to do it because the demand is way higher than the supply.