Just to add an additional avenue for any people earlier in their career, starting salaries for research associates (bench-based wet lab work) in the Boston area right now, fresh out of undergrad with a 4-year degree, is $100k.
If we are comparing this to the article you'd need a starting salary of ~$128,000 in 2021 dollars to have a comparable salary of $100,000 in 2009 dollars, fwiw.
Totally. With a masters, starting salary is $120k, so much more in line with OP. Also, OP is total comp, which a BS hits with equity and bonus targets.
My SO just started a PHD in chem eng, before she decided we looked for some open positions and found nothing/low paying (40-50K a year) jobs for grads.
