> But like you could have self taught 2 years of experience vs PhD and 12 years of experience for a similar position - there is no way everyone is at the same s

> But like you could have self taught 2 years of experience vs PhD and 12 years of experience for a similar position - there is no way everyone is at the same spot comp wise. If these are really similar positions, then you don't need the PhD candidate with 12 years of experience--you're wasting money paying someone that overqualified. The fact is, these probably aren't similar positions, and that's why they aren't at the same spot comp wise.