And what do you think it's their basis for salary? What other people are willing to work for, so "sleazily" playing other people against you. For example, for some reason e.g. google in europe pays a lot less than they pay in the states. It's not because people in Europe provide far less value, but because they can. Salaries are market-based and that works both ways, the better market you find yourself in, better for you (companies are not going to look twice).