Simple: Because they want to get the cost as low as possible. Most employers know exactly what they are willing to pay, but speculate on the developer naming a

Simple: Because they want to get the cost as low as possible. Most employers know exactly what they are willing to pay, but speculate on the developer naming a lower number. There are few exceptions, like Berlin-based think-cell, who openly name their salary offer on their website. I think they can do that because they search for very few, very high-skilled developers - contrary to many larger companies who have less strict hiring policies.