[rogerdpack]

I guess the fear is that you'll anchor it "lower" than they would have. Example if they are intending to pay 120, and you say "I'm hoping to make 110" they might just come down to 110. But I suppose if you start at your high range that might be in your favor. Some of us (myself included) just don't know what we're worth so it's hard to know how to start the deal...

[JamesBarney]

Also if your problem is every time you look for a job people keep on wanting to throw more money at you than you could ask for with a straight face. Well then dang I wish I had that problem :)

This problem is usually because people just set their starting price too low, or aren't firm enough on it. One tactic(I haven't used yet, but I'll try the next time I apply to a job) is ask the hiring manager how selective they are. Many time they'll brag about how hard it is to join their company. They'll say things like "We only accept 1 in 10 developers". Boom now they just admitted that if they were paying fair market value their offer should be about $153k :). [0] This is a great place to start a salary negotiation. Also glassdoor is a good place to find information for where to start a salary negotiation as well.

[0] 80% of devs get paid between $57k(10th %) and $153k(90th %).

[pc86]

Your citation needs a citation.

[JamesBarney]

Whoops, here you go. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151132.htm