For example, the company for which I work bills me out at $250 / hr. I get something like 15-30 job requests from other companies a week. It would not make any economic sense for me to pursue any of these other companies unless the interview process was dead simple, transparent, and easy (and the total compensation was _at least_ 15% higher than my current compensation). But, 99% of them will only offer modest pay adjustment (%2-3?), and then they expect me to sit through several hours of interviews. And, if I pass that nontransparent process, they ask me to sign a ridiculous employment agreement that signs away all my personal IP. Seriously?
The problem with recruiting today is that most companies who have good talent understand how valuable their best talent is. They treat them very well. And, the companies that want to obtain that talent completely under-offer their side of the deal.
Another problem is that most developers suck at negotiation. I see lots of anger on HN about not getting the 6-figure salary. Well, that's their fault for not asking for it. If they're a relatively good developer (top 25%), they should be making at least 6-figure, easy. And, if they're not, that's their fault, not the fault of others that know their value and how to demand a cut of it.
