Just got back from a 1 minute interview that ended confirming the salary was non-negotiable and they didn't care I had 5 years direct experience with everything.
Long story short, tried to hop departments (I'm a chemist) to get a better wage. I am underpaid as is at 55k and with years of experience and knowledge, the median for my area is 83k with the low end being 72k (I am considered chemist II)
Someone left the division and I wanted more pay so I applied, asked about the wage, and they said it doesn't matter if they are fresh from college or have experience, the wage is the wage. Needless to say, it was not a worthwhile increase.
On top of that, the jobs in my travelable area that pay what I should be worth want highly specified experience and will not train.
Ask for a raise straight out? Not in the budget, but hey, that lead chemist III just left, go do his job for no extra pay, take it or leave (not leave it).
I just don't understand this world anymore.