[justboxing]

Not trying to hijack the conversation, but how useful is a very large salary range anyways? Example: In almost all the salary range jobs I've seen on SO, the difference between low and high end is anywhere from 30% to 50%. Even in the examples quoted in the blog post above, the 2 ranges shown are 85K to 120K and 100K to 135K.

As a job seeker, even if you do click through to see the job, what are you thinking you'll be able to get? In my case, I look only at the higher range, and if it's anywhere close to what I desire or expect, only then I click it. I completely ignore the lower range.

By that notion, isn't such a large range meaningless? Shouldn't the salary transparency be represented as just 1 number with a +/- %age and a note on what will allow for a + and what will account for a -.

Ex: For the 2 examples - 100K +/- 15% based on experience, 115K +/- 15% based on skillsets.

[Hnrobert42]

Why do you ignore the lower range. I would think you would want to apply for jobs with the highest lower range for which you qualify. The company will think it is getting you cheap. You will be more sure of getting an acceptable offer. If you get the job, you'll have plenty of room for raises. That's just my assessment, so I am curious about yours.

[justboxing]

> Why do you ignore the lower range.

Because, partly from experience (hiring for companies I worked for) I know that it's a lot harder for the companies to find qualified experienced candidates to fill positions, so when they put out a range, they are telling the candidate what the maximum base it is that they are willing to pay.

So as a candidate, I only look at the higher number knowing that's what I am going to ask for, and if they really like my skills and experience, that they will most likely honor my request / demand.

Also, in case it wasn't apparent, I am in San Francisco, so I think candidates in general in this area have more leverage, but you are right, it may not always be the case in less "tech companies saturated" areas like say, Idaho or someplace else. YMMV.

EDIT: See @fecak's answer, recruiter for 20 years who also says that "The high number is the only thing many candidates hear"