It's worth noting that it's likely that sub-contractors working for private-sector firms (contracted to provide services to alphabet-agencies) earn this much.

It's worth noting that it's likely that sub-contractors working for private-sector firms (contracted to provide services to alphabet-agencies) earn this much. Snowden was apparently earning ~$200k at Dell then took a pay cut to ~$122k to work at Booz-Allen. There's some controversy about his claims in that respect, but I believe them -- they would have to pay competitively or else they'd be a considerable disadvantage in the tech/infosec arms race. Given who was at his door though, I agree: this wasn't a legit job offer.