Lowest Paying Federal Government Jobs: Surprising Facts and Career Insights

Picture this: thousands rush to apply for positions advertised by the U.S. government each year, hoping for benefits, stable salaries, and the kind of retirement plan your granddad still brags about. Yet not every federal gig means plush paychecks or a corner office. As wild as it sounds, the lowest paying federal jobs barely even cover a fancy night out in D.C.—but they’re vital, sometimes overlooked, and way more interesting than you might think.

The Backbone of Federal Pay: How Government Salaries Are Set

If you think government salaries are a mystery locked behind mahogany doors, it’s really not that complicated. The bulk of federal jobs run on the General Schedule (GS), a pay scale ranging from GS-1 to GS-15. GS-1 is the bottom of the ladder: think entry-level admin work, mailroom clerks, or assistants. There’s a clear system. Each grade has ten steps, and your pay increases as you climb either grade or step through years of service and performance. GS-1 Step 1 is, quite simply, the lowest.

For 2025, the starting salary for GS-1 Step 1 is $23,434 per year, before locality adjustments (those are extra pay bumps for people living in expensive spots like San Francisco or New York City). Believe it or not, some jobs come in even lower than federal minimum wage when you factor in how many hours are worked, since certain positions are truly part-time or seasonal.

Besides GS, there are the Federal Wage System (FWS) jobs—think labor-based roles, maintenance, or skilled trade support. Here, the pay depends on local rates and the job’s classification, but you’ll find a few that just edge out GS-1. Across the board, the lowest paid federal workers are often student trainees, mailroom staff, unskilled laborers, and food service attendants in federal facilities.

Why do these salaries stay so low? Part of it is tradition—low-level, entry jobs are stepping stones. Part of it’s economics—budget constraints and the size of federal payrolls shape starting pay. But there’s movement: the Biden administration has been pushing for pay increases at the bottom, nudging agencies to eliminate some of the extreme lows.

Locality pay can change the landscape dramatically, though. For example, if you live in Rest of U.S. (the default for many) as a GS-1 Step 1, you'll earn that $23,434. Move to Washington D.C., and you'll see a bump to around $27,358—still not exactly rolling in it. Some locations offer up to 30% more pay, but the cost of living can swallow those gains whole.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, fewer than 1% of federal civilian workers are in GS-1 or GS-2 roles. Most employees start higher thanks to education or prior work experience. But these positions are the entry point for many Americans without a college degree.

Who Holds the Lowest Paying Federal Jobs?

Peek behind the scenes at a national park, and you might find a seasonal grounds worker or a part-time visitor center clerk. Pop into a federal building after hours, and unheralded custodians keep everything tidy. Many of these folks hold GS-1 or GS-2 titles—not glamorous, but absolutely essential.

Food service workers at Veterans Affairs hospitals, helpers in military kitchens, mailroom staff in agency headquarters, and certain clerical aids all top the list of lowest earning federal workers. Think about agricultural aides at USDA research labs or library assistants in some government libraries—again, all falling into that early-career or low-skill bucket. Even some interns paid as student trainees (often under special hiring programs) hover near or at the bottom, though their rates can be slightly higher depending on agency and responsibilities.

You might wonder: why take these jobs at all? Simple—government work has perks beyond salary. There’s stable employment (once you’re in the system, layoffs are rare), health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. For many workers starting out, these benefits offset the low take-home pay. It’s not just about survival—it’s often a strategic move. Lots of federal employees use entry-level roles as launchpads. Work for a couple of years, rack up experience, and you’re in line for promotions or a jump to higher-graded jobs.

Federal jobs also tend to reward loyalty. Stick it out, keep your record clean, and after a couple of years, step increases roll in. For example, a GS-1 employee who enters at Step 1 could move to Step 2 after a year, with automatic raises if they keep performing and advancing. Even so, making ends meet at GS-1 is no picnic, especially in high-cost metro areas.

Here’s a wild fact: Some agencies haven’t hired anyone at GS-1 in years because they know the pay doesn’t compete, even locally. Instead, jobs are bumped up a grade or two, even for basic tasks. Still, where GS-1 roles exist, they’re the quiet, unglamorous lifeblood of federal operations. Without these workers, you’d have bureaucratic chaos, unfiled papers, and mountains of unchecked mail.

“The lower grades of the General Schedule may seem like tiny cogs, but without them, the whole machine seizes up,” says Dorie Clark, policy expert at the Partnership for Public Service.

One thing to watch: there’s been a gradual decrease in these very lowest jobs as automation spreads. Digital mail sorting, kiosks, and more advanced office tech have replaced some roles, while others have shifted to contract workers who don’t appear on direct federal payrolls. Still, for thousands each year, GS-1 and GS-2 represent a first real step into working for the U.S. government.

Why Even Consider Low-Paying Federal Jobs?

Money isn’t everything, right? Well, try telling that to my teenager, Rishi, when he wants the latest phone, but among adults, especially those starting careers or making a switch, there’s a real payoff to “starting low.”

First, federal jobs mean stability. Even in the choppiest economic weather, Uncle Sam rarely hands out pink slips en masse. Healthcare coverage starts right out of the gate for most, and retirement plans rival what you see in many private companies. Paid holidays, leave, and sick time? There’s a reason people fight to get in, even at entry-level.

Here’s another secret: once you’re in, advancing can be faster than you expect. Agencies often give preference to existing employees for internal job postings, sometimes even if you're still at the bottom of the scale. Those GS-1 and GS-2 positions open the door to advancement across all sorts of agencies—IRS, USDA, VA, even NASA (yes, they have administrative support staff too). The system rewards loyalty and performance. An ambitious employee who starts as a GS-1 mail clerk can rise quickly, especially with added education or relevant experience.

Let’s talk health insurance. Even at the lowest federal pay, you’re eligible for the same healthcare packages as your high-flying GS-15 boss. This is a game-changer for many families priced out of employer-provided healthcare in private sector starting gigs. There’s also a federal transportation benefit, tuition assistance in some jobs, and access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), basically a government-sponsored 401(k).

• Lowest paying federal government jobs still offer top-notch job security
• Even entry-level workers get healthcare, retirement, and paid leave
• Climbing the ladder is all about time served and exams, not office politics
• GS-1 roles are just a tiny share of the workforce, but a critical entry point
• Experience can bump you up faster if you’re motivated to move

Of course, there’s tradeoff. Living on $23,434 is a challenge, even outside the biggest cities. Most people in these jobs share housing, have roommates, or live with family during the first year or so. It isn’t flash—but for parents, veterans, and lifelong public servants, the long-term security and lifelong benefits are often worth sacrificing those early years scraping by. Plus, unlike some private jobs, your pay and raises are set in stone, not doled out at a manager’s whim.

When you factor in locality pay increases and the annual cost-of-living adjustments that usually arrive each January, the financial picture can brighten even for low-wage roles. Still, if your only goal is a fat paycheck from the government, best to aim higher than the GS-1 rung.

Navigating Your Way to a Better Federal Salary

So you want in—but low pay isn’t going to cut it for long? You’re not alone. The best advice is to treat the lowest paying federal jobs as a pit stop, not a final destination. Think of it as a paid internship with health benefits and a government badge. Use that time to learn the ropes, network, and earn extra skills that qualify you for higher positions fast. For example, completing training or a relevant certificate can help you jump a grade or apply for specialized roles quickly.

The best hack? Apply for jobs at agencies known to offer training and advancement. Agencies like the Social Security Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs are huge, with career ladders leading all the way up. Lots of staff start in the mailroom or as office aides and retire as supervisors or specialists.

Here’s a tip: build relationships inside your agency. Federal government culture loves “merit promotion”—that means if you perform well, you get first dibs on new internal postings. Take on volunteer projects, show initiative, and ask mentors for tips. Some agencies even offer tuition reimbursement or will cover the cost of classes to help you move up the GS ladder.

If you already have some college or military experience, you can apply directly to higher GS grades—don’t undersell yourself. Veterans receive hiring preference in many cases and can often start higher on the scale thanks to their service and specialized work history. Be honest on your application, provide every bit of documentation, and use your professional network to learn about openings early.

One more thing—make sure you understand what locality pay really means for your budget. Sometimes, it’s smarter (and actually nets you more money) to work a supposedly "lower-paying" role in a cheaper town than a slightly richer one in New York or D.C. where rent will eat your lunch. Do the math for yourself using the OPM’s salary calculator to see what you’ll actually bring home, and budget tightly in year one.

The federal government just isn’t a single, monolithic employer—it’s a collection of thousands of agencies, each with its quirks, hiring patterns, and pathways. Don’t assume the first opportunity you see is the only one, or even the best. Job security is priceless, but your ambition should be too. Use that GS-1 or GS-2 job as a springboard, not an anchor. With smart effort and a little patience, those early days of scraping by on government peanuts can become a distant memory.