>The question then boils down to how much of the variation in negotiated offers can be attributed to variation value as opposed to variation in negotiating skil

>The question then boils down to how much of the variation in negotiated offers can be attributed to variation value as opposed to variation in negotiating skills. I think this covers most of it, but it all feels like it's only one side of the supply-demand equation. All else equal, the value to the company doesn't change whether you are one of 100 people with your skill set or one of a gazillion. But the wages certainly will. I think that's totally fair thing, and we can't get it with your model of just value to the company and negotiating skill.