WITH dept_avg AS (SELECT department, AVG(salary) AS avg_sal FROM employees GROUP BY department), max_dept AS (SELECT department FROM dept_avg ORDER BY avg_sal DESC LIMIT 1) SELECT e.* FROM employees e WHERE e.department = (SELECT department FROM max_dept). **Why CTE**: Readable; reusable. **Edge case**: Tied max avg—LIMIT 1 picks one; use RANK if need all....
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