[sedachv]

> set a cost-of-living salary

This is total nonsense, and you should never put up with this rationalization if HR tries to pull "cost of living" on you. Explain to them that it is called a "labor market" for a reason. Prices in markets are determined by supply and demand; pricing is not driven by cost except as a floor. This is economics 101.

[psim1]

The major tech companies are doing it. Nonsense maybe, but you're not going to win an argument with them. "At-will."

[sedachv]

What argument? It is a salary negotiation. Do you not bother to negotiate your starting salary either?