This is called a 'prevailing wage determination'. You feed keywords into some computer at the department of labor, and it comes back with a number.
If you feed in: senior research associate, requires masters degree or higher + 3 years experience + special skills in gel electrophoresis + + + +
you get back 45k
If you feed in: research associate, requires associates degree or equivalent and 1 year experience in a research environment
you get back 21k
(not actual numbers, but you get the idea. )
The problem is if some dumba%^ secretary at the university obtains the PWD instead of an experienced attorneys office. She will actually tell DOL about your ACTUAL qualifications and the ACTUAL requirements for the job. When dealing with CIS, you have to LIE, and that is what attorneys are for.
