Stick to teachers, Andy.   Unless you're especially qualified or have a friend in high places, you sign on for the Step A salary and progress through the steps.   There may be some who look at State pay and say, in five years I'll be making $n, but not many and they're probably either double dippers from the Fed or accountants.   If you're any good or have a friend in high places, you start at Widgetmaker I, after a few years get promoted to Widgetmaker II, then III, then IV, probably never making it out of merits steps in any of those classes.   Widgetmaker III and IV are probably supervisory, and in most job classes they'll get you to Range 18 or 20.   Anything above State Range 20 is either highly specialized, a degreed professional, or a direct report to a political appointee.   And, Andy, the top spots in every department ARE political appointees!   Divisions are the organic unit and division directors and above are appointees.