Trying to get salary information from non-vault firms, both from firm management and the associates, is like pulling teeth. We assumed associates would gladly hand over information as long as it was annonymous, but our assumption has proven incorrect. We think the reluctance is attributable to two factors: (1) associates at lower paying firms don't want their peers to know how much they make and (2) there are so few associates and pay not be lockstep, thus increasing the likelihood the firm can figure out who submitted the data, even if submitted anonymously. Any thoughts?

Both probably correct assessments.

I wish these associates would give out their salaries anonymously though (at least if there are more than, say, 10 associates in the office, so they aren't under individual suspicion).

It would be really helpful to those looking at firms that don't even post starting salary info in the NALP directory.

It would suck to make below market, even significantly below market, and have all of your peers know it. However, everyone already knows it's less or you would be bragging about it or posting it.

Small firm associates should post for the following altruistic reasons: (i) it would lead to a more established and competitive markets or submarkets, (ii) it would lead to more consistent and bigger yearly raises at smaller firms, (iii) associates would be able to make more informed decisions when looking to lateral to other small firms, (iv) it would likely improve the firm's recruiting as associates would know what they are getting into before interviewing and only the serious applicants would apply and (v) it will give small forums an opportunity to market non-salary reasons to join a firm (i.e., hours, partnership potential, etc.).