Sure, but isn't 161k the max, and there's no room to grow beyond that? For many people who work in the SF bay area (for example) and have 10+ years of experience, even 161k may represent a pay cut. DC is certainly cheaper cost-of-living-wise, but not by a lot. And if 161k is the max, where do you go from there, especially if you won't have a job after a few years due to how their "tour of duty" thing? Spend even more of your own money to move back to the bay area, and try to reestablish your old salary from before you left?
If your counting the money it will never be worth it. It makes no financial sense to go work for the USDS, you will get paid less, you will work in a much worse environment, with more frustration then you can imagine. However you will directly impact the lives of millions of Americans. People who would have died, might live. Educations can be obtained for those who might never have had one. Doctors will get paid more efficiently and will take on more medicare and medicaid patients.
You might not have as much disposable income, but you can live a good life in a nice area for 161k. Thats more them most people in the DC area make.
