I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this happening as well.?

24 Comments

1. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netJanuary 28,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

   If the money is too low, then don't apply. Companies have a budget and there are all levels of Admins. I place them. Depends on what the job is. And depends what your work history is. I see jobs up to $100,000 and then again at $45.000

2. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 5:19PM UTC

   Well, let me give you an example of how companies are 'low balling' salaries and trying to get 'everything for nothing pay.'
   I have my resume posted on a job board and a recruiter reached out to me saying that a bank in my area was looking for an Executive Assistant to the bank Executive, but the salary was only $52k, very 'low ball.'
   The recruiter and I had a discussion about it and she said that a few other people were interested in the position as well, but the salary range was way too low for them as well.
   The recruiter went back to the bank Executive and stated to him that the salary range was way too low and they would have to raise it if they were going to get anyone with the caliber they were looking for, for the position.
   He told her to keep looking and trying to find a 'sucker' that would take the 'low ball' $52k. This went on for a couple of weeks and they really wanted to fill the position FAST.
   Well, to make a long story short, in the end, the bank ended up increasing the salary from $52K to $80K/yr, but they were crying poverty the whole time!

   I seriously believe that companies are really trying to get EVERTHING for nothing.
   I think that IF they can get someone that's 'gullible' enough and desperate enough and that doesn't do their HW and know what the salary range should be set at, then, they're going to.
   It seems like we have to know our worth and negotiate for the salary that we SHOULD be getting, instead of the 'low ball' figures that companies are posting.

3. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 6:50PM UTC

   They definitely wanted a warm body- and as say, a gullible one.

4. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 6:09PM UTC

   I’m also in CNY. You apply to jobs that often don’t post salary or pay. And there aren’t many benefits offered, either. People are taking any slightly acceptable job just to have income. But that pay is horribly low for the expectations they have and the experience they want. And then, depending on your town or village, your commute is a big factor if you land a job in a larger city, which adds to your expenses. But at that, your pay is still quite low. I get companies want more for less, but you get what you pay for, and skilled pros will burn out or become overwhelmed and quit. Just because we choose to live here doesn’t mean we should be penalized with the whole “get everything for nothing” tactics most companies utilize. If you want quality and experienced staff, pay for quality and experienced staff.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 28,2024 at 10:30PM UTC

   "You apply to jobs that often don’t post salary or pay."

   There is a pay transparency law in NYS/NYC - they have to post the compensation, I believe if they have over a certain number of employees. If they're violating the law, report them.

6. AnonymousJanuary 29,2024 at 6:37PM UTC

   Most jobs that are posted HAVE a salary range, but most of them are 'low ball' ranges for the job descriptions. I've done my research on it and I've read that most employers expect you to negotiate salary with them, because they're going to try to get 'someone for nothing' if they can.

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJanuary 30,2024 at 1:20AM UTC

   OK - I was just responding to this is the comment "You apply to jobs that often don’t post salary or pay."

8. AnonymousFebruary 6,2024 at 7:49PM UTC

   And still… not all positions list ranges or even hourly pay. Several positions within NYS haven’t listed pay, but list other areas of compensation like benefits, which may be because there are less than 50 employees. And in CNY, there are limited positions in larger companies that offer fair pay for what they’re asking us to do. Understandably, smaller businesses will require the wearing of many hats. I e done so for both small and large companies without pay increases. But it’s about ridiculous that they want us to wear an additional few hats and now pay less than what we were making by $10k and often $20-30k less. I have 20+ years experience and refuse to accept a position for $50k! Cost of living is a little less here, but not by THAT much. Devaluing employees (potential trial or current) and their experience and skills by NOT offering pay commensurate with those asks is disheartening and disingenuous. The regression in pay isn’t about the COVID/pandemic response because companies are thriving and growing again. And executive roles are being offered the same pay as they expect, or more. The disparity is frustrating.

9. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 4:13PM UTC

   Companies want a bargain as much as you do.

   Research and find your limits- a GREAT job might be worth it. Up to you to adequately do your HW

10. AnonymousJanuary 28,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

    I have done my HW and research on the salary for the position and the area and it's what I commented and they LOVE my skills and experience.

    I think that companies are really trying to get something for nothing.

11. AnonymousJanuary 29,2024 at 2:54PM UTC

    I had something similar happen to me recently. Salaried position with entry-level pay I had interviewed for. Company emailed me to let me know they had gone with someone who had 25+ years of experience…for an entry-level salary. And the interviewer made it very clear they would not be budging outside of the range for the position for anyone (almost to the point where it felt unprofessional) It’s messed up. I wasn’t even upset I didn’t get the position because that made me realize the company does not care about compensating people properly.

12. AnonymousJanuary 29,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

    You have to know WHAT you're WORTH is and either she didn't, or she came from a 'dual' income situation and was just looking for a position to bring a little extra money in. I'm a single parent and 'head of household' and I KNOW what I'm worth and when I interview with these people and if they ask me what my salary requirements are, I just say that I'm negotiable, and then, if I get the offer, I tell them that I need a few days to think about it and let them 'squirm' and then I come back with a counter number that they SHOULD be paying, plus a little bit higher, because they're going to try to talk you down from what you want, or they'll say that their budget doesn't allow for it and I walk away. I interviewed with a company during COVID and I interviewed with the owner and when he called me to offer me the position, he gave me a figure and I told him that I need some time to think about it, and when I contacted him with a number, he jumped on it. But you have to know how to negotiate. Some people just are willing to 'settle,' for whatever they can get, I'm not.

13. AnonymousJanuary 31,2024 at 4:15AM UTC

    Knowing your worth is always appropriate to gauge the jobs you apply for. However, as the OP stated, location seems to be an issue, as well. It seems that the location may have a lower cost of living while people’s expenses (bills, family needs, groceries) are the same and pay in the area all around (or from what I gather - the lower cost of living has allowed employers to offer wha were higher paying positions for the type of job description and skills requirements are dramatically lower. It seems it’s a question of why and/or how can someone be expected to invest their experience into a role that is paying entry-level pay? And if the majority of employers are doing this, at some point, will there be bigger problems for both companies and people needing jobs but who refuse to give in to this backwards path? It’s employees who become desperate to have income and then companies have them by default. I’m not sure which is more infuriating, though… the fact companies rely on this method or that they refuse to consider the value of a good employee… and maybe it’s both.

14. AnonymousJanuary 30,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

    Depends on the company job and description of course, but it’s also no longer an employee’s market as available jobs are much scarcer so the likelihood of getting a sweetheart deal with lots of bonuses and top tier rates are unlikely.

15. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 8:52PM UTC

    I'm not looking for bonuses, although it would be a plus, but to post a position for an Executive Assistant and then they want you to do 3 different jobs, Office Manager, Project Coordinate and Personal Assistant for only $52k, they're going to have a hard time filling the position.

16. AnonymousFebruary 3,2024 at 1:04AM UTC

    You'll see where I also said "top tier rates."

    Jobs are scarce. Plenty of mid-range workers will jump for $52k. I literally had a friend just hired for a similar assistant job who was getting a $15k boost going up to $51k.

17. AnonymousFebruary 3,2024 at 8:58PM UTC

    I'm not mid-range.
    I've got over 18yrs experience and in my last position I was making $70k/yr and I'm not taking anything less than that. I know my worth and I can't afford to.I've done a lot of research and Companies are low-balling salaries expecting candidates to negotiate salary, and if you don't, you're stuck for a long time in a roll that you're not going to be happy with and it makes it harder to ask for more pay afterwards.

18. AnonymousFebruary 4,2024 at 8:41PM UTC

    I understand that, but you aren't competing against yourself in the job market. I'm saying that businesses right now in a scarce job market can fill a role for $20k less than you want to make because a) there are workers below your current tier who will see $50K as a jump up, not a step down and b) there are recent layoffs who can't be picky. They don't need to negotiate like they did even 6 months ago right now.

19. AnonymousFebruary 5,2024 at 9:44PM UTC

    I don't know how you can say that the job market is scarce.?

    Companies are posting jobs all the time, but they're low-balling salaries and a lot of them are combining 3 different positions into one and then offering only $50k/yr. And claim that the compensation is competitive!

    That's absurd.

    No even close!

20. AnonymousFebruary 8,2024 at 3:32PM UTC

    Amen!!! I know my worth and experience of 20 years as well. Many MANY employers want a warm, desperate body. Employers hire on the spot and EVERYONE ends up miserable sending us back to square 1

    I see ads for BOOKKEEPING that REQUIRES a MASTERS in Accounting for $30k. If thry fill it, candidate won't stay long

21. AnonymousJanuary 31,2024 at 4:10PM UTC

    Yes, I'm seeing this, too. Descriptions that are clearly for a Director level and above, but pay range is mid to lower level. I've also encountered a lot of roles that are mashing up 3 jobs into one. While I'm certain we all wear many hats in our roles, very different knowledge bases and skill sets will not set someone up for success. I steer clear of companies doing this. Budget may be a budget, but this signals a couple of things: 1. They don't understand the role they need 2. They do and they're taking advantage of a tight market.

22. AnonymousFebruary 1,2024 at 8:49PM UTC

    I'm wondering if you're talking about the same company I applied to, because that's exactly what they're doing.

    They posted an Executive Assistant position, at $52k/yr and they want the candidate to be able to Manage the office, Project Coordinate and be a Personal Assistant.

    3 roles in one for a lousy $52k/yr.when it should be more like $70-80k/yr.

    Either they don't know what the realistic salary is for those roles or like you said, they're trying to take advantage of the market.

    I would end up playing 'salary negotiating' with them, because I've researched it and recruiters are expecting candidates to negotiate salary.

    If they can get you at the low-ball salary, you're losing out and then you're going to be stuck in a position you're not going to be happy with and you're not going to stay at.

23. AnonymousFebruary 2,2024 at 5:40PM UTC

    That is ridiculous! No, I work in marketing and I'm seeing a lot of roles in which they want the creative director to also act as the project manager, handle resourcing, manage external vendor relationships and budgets. I don't know any CD's who could or would do all of that.

24. AnonymousJune 21,2025 at 7:54AM UTC

    You’re definitely not alone—this trend of mismatched titles and underwhelming pay has been frustrating to watch in CNY, especially for experienced professionals. It often feels like employers are banking on desperation or inexperience rather than expecting fair negotiations. In contrast, businesses like Cider Rose Events (https://ciderroseevents.com/) are a refreshing reminder that valuing talent and authenticity still exists—whether it's in creative services or collaborative partnerships.