Can a federal employee make more money than their supervisor?

Question

I am a government employee stationed overseas. I am in a supervisory position, and have about 30 employees working for me. I've always heard, but never been able to find in writing, that my salary can't be lower than an employee I supervise. I am a GS (now NSPS) employee, and most of whom I supervise are wage graded employees. Several of those employees have a higher rate of pay than I do. What I'm trying to find out is:

a. Is what I've heard correct, meaning I am entitled to a raise that would bring my rate of pay to 3% higher than my highest paid employee?

b. Where can I find this information in writing?

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

There is no provision to that effect anywhere in the law or NSPS regulations. Your pay is fixed according to the regulatory guidance for your pay band, without regard to what others are making.

Especially in DoD, where I served for 20+ years, the situation you describe is not uncommon.

DoD Retiree

Answer 2

Corruption enables the federal employee to make money by taking from government coffers.