Nothing dishonest in the compensation question, it's a long-held standard practice in the US. But asking correctly requires a certain sensitivity, transparency, and professional finesse.

Part of the hiring criteria is finding qualified candidates within a given budget range. It's not about trying to get someone on the cheap. Often employers will pay significantly more to recruit a top candidate.

Basically, they want to know if they can afford you. It's also a quick way for an employer to gauge the current broader talent market. Is their comp plan competitive/attractive? Should they go up market or down market to find the right people?

It's entirely fair to ask the recruiter to share the anticipated compensation band/benefits/perks,etc...