It just comes to supply and demand, and being competitive in the market. Companies looking to recruit and retain specific talent got creative with compensation

It just comes to supply and demand, and being competitive in the market. Companies looking to recruit and retain specific talent got creative with compensation packages in attempt to keep wages close to market. I first heard of this during the dot-com boom in the 90's. Companies were paying "huge" signing bonuses. Sadly I graduated after the burst, but after 9/11, and went into the defense industry. No signing bonuses, but did have a good relocation package.