Exactly.
I started my career as a GS-7/9/11 in January 1981 with a BS in Engineering.
I still remember my starting salary was $19,747. All my classmates graduating at the same time said they’d be really excited if their starting salary began with a ‘2’. Mine was pretty close.
No way in hell a bank teller was making $30k in 1980. Unless she was boinking the bank president; does she know who her father is?
I just recall the guy in my radar shop made 36,000 in 1987.
He was a GS-11 retired AF support engineer.
Mr C. was his name. Taught me how to think about and fix a TPS-43E, would even share a beer at the nudie bar outside the base.