How can senior specialists operating strictly under the GS system potentially reach salaries exceeding $200,000?
Answer
By combining the maximum step within GS-15 with the highest applicable locality pay adjustments.
Senior specialists achieving the top step of GS-15 can see their total compensation pushed into the high $180,000 to over $200,000 range when significant locality pay adjustments for high-cost-of-living areas are applied.
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