[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm honestly somewhat surprised that you're concerned about extra experience compensation in a market such as what we have right now. We're hiring veteran IT workers right now for $10,000-20,000 less than their market value because it's an employer's job market. We know that we're offering less than normal market, but the veteran IT worker needs a job and is willing to take the lower salary with benefits. They know that if they say 'No', we've got several people waiting in the wings behind them to snatch that position.

If you feel like this is the only person that can fill your needs and they're pushing on salary, that's fine. Otherwise, move on and pick up a resource that will take the salary you feel you can afford.