[abeppu]

> most seem willing to pay around 'market rate' for folks

What does this mean? What do the quotes mean?

This seems to be nearly a tautology; the market rate is what people are willing to pay.

[eschneider]

It means that when companies would ask me what my salary expectations were, I'd tell them I was looking for something "market rate". Exactly those words. I'd often follow up by asking "Do you have a range in mind for this position?" and go from there.

At that point I've answered their salary question and probably not scared them off and if they really want to put a number on it, it's up to them. At this stage, if they don't have a range or just won't say, it tells you a bit about them.