Regionals are filling classes?!?! Uhhhh. Ok. Sure.
You know why regionals have been upping pay? It's based on need, not in the kindness of their heart. If they were filling classes, why pay people more? Or, incentivize them to stay?
You also think $100k is a lot of money. You will learn soon it is not. Especially compared to the costs associated just to get to THAT point in a career.
You also "assume" that an upgrade will happen. That can also bite you.
You sound new, so, welcome to the industry. You will soon realize there is way more to do with luck and timing than professionalism and skill. Also, seniority rules. Good luck to you, because in the end we are all who**s to this industry.