Labor market as well. Many large companies shell out for a salary survey of what other peer companies are paying for similar roles, and then set their wages ba

Labor market as well. Many large companies shell out for a salary survey of what other peer companies are paying for similar roles, and then set their wages based on that. That's price fixing. If it were a person calling around to all your competitors and saying "Hey, what are you paying for a senior SWE, we'll pay that too", it'd be illegal.