Earlier quoted context omitted.
> A competitive market would enable me to sort by salary and benefits and apply for the best job. I am always surprised to see comments that make it sound like jobs (or, employees) are fungible commodities that can be bought and sold purely on price. One simple example - two jobs may have the same title (Senior Developer, or whatever) but have totally different expectations of communication skills, leadership skills,…
If I’m looking for a job, it’s already on me to try to limit my search to positions I’m qualified for. Providing me with the salary information for each job doesn’t make that task any more difficult.
And the reason is because when you are looking for a job other things are more important than knowing the salary even before you apply or they seriously consider you.
Everyone does whatever they can get away with, and the moment we accept that everything becomes clear. They are all trying to benefit themselves, just as you are by trying to learn some information before the other party feel the need to share it with you.