Lowest Paying Federal Government Job: What You Need to Know
Posted on Jun 2, 2025 by Elara Greenfield
Ever wondered what the lowest paying job in the federal government actually looks like? Here’s a quick answer: it’s the entry-level positions on the General Schedule, mostly under GS-1 or GS-2. These aren’t glamorous jobs. Think of basic clerical roles, mailroom assistants, or seasonal laborers—often filled by teens, students, or people starting out with just a high school diploma.
The base salary for a GS-1 federal job, as of 2025, starts under $25,000 a year (before local pay adjustments). That’s less than a lot of full-time retail gigs. And yes, some people are surprised to learn government jobs can pay this low at the start.
If you’re preparing for government work or thinking about breaking in, it helps to know what these jobs pay, what the work is actually like, and—here’s the good news—how you can climb the pay ladder much faster than you might expect. Let’s get into what these entry-level roles really involve and how you can turn even the lowest-rung federal job into a solid career step.
- Understanding Federal Pay Scales
- Jobs at the Bottom: GS-1 and GS-2 Explained
- Why Take a Low-Paying Federal Job?
- How Fast Can You Move Up?
- Tips for Getting Started
Understanding Federal Pay Scales
If you want to crack the code on government paychecks, you have to start with the General Schedule, or GS pay scale. This is the main system most federal workers use, and it sets the pay for more than 1.5 million people across the U.S. government. The GS scale has 15 grades (GS-1 to GS-15), with GS-1 being the lowest and GS-15 the highest before you get into management jobs known as the Senior Executive Service.
Each grade comes with 10 steps. You move up steps as you get more experience or meet certain performance standards. The catch? Your location matters. Federal pay includes something called "locality pay"—so the same job can pay a lot more in places like San Francisco or New York than it does in rural areas.
Here’s a quick look at the 2025 base annual salaries for the lowest paying federal job GS grades:
| GS Grade | Step 1 Salary (2025 base) |
|---|---|
| GS-1 | $23,296 |
| GS-2 | $26,654 |
| GS-3 | $29,819 |
Keep in mind, if you’re in a city with high living costs, these numbers can jump by 15% or more thanks to locality pay. But in most areas, these are the starting points.
The GS pay scale applies to most "white-collar" roles—think admin, tech, clerical, and support jobs. Other federal groups, like postal workers or skilled trades, use different pay systems, but they're usually not the very lowest paid. If you see a federal position outside of the GS list, check what pay scale it uses—some are higher, some are lower, but GS-1 and GS-2 are usually at the very bottom.
For anyone hoping to move up: every year you stick around, or if you switch jobs to a higher GS grade, it usually means a pay bump. So even if you start at the low end, you're not stuck there for life.
Jobs at the Bottom: GS-1 and GS-2 Explained
If you look at the federal pay chart, GS-1 and GS-2 are about as entry-level as it gets. These jobs don’t require fancy degrees or years of experience. Most people in these roles are brand new to government work, and for a lot of them, it’s a first real job. You’ll see job titles like file clerk, mail handler, messenger, cleaning aide, or even seasonal park worker. The tasks are pretty straightforward: sorting paperwork, delivering mail, basic data entry, or helping keep government buildings clean and running.
So how much does a GS-1 or GS-2 make? Here’s the reality for 2025:
| Grade | Step 1 Salary (Base) |
|---|---|
| GS-1 | $22,650 |
| GS-2 | $25,512 |
Keep in mind, pay can go up a bit if you work in a city with a high cost of living—something called locality pay. But even with that bump, GS-1 and GS-2 are still the lowest paying federal job options around.
There aren’t a ton of these jobs today, though. Agencies have automated a lot of routine tasks, so entry slots are fewer than they were twenty years ago. Still, you might find openings in the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Park Service (especially for summer jobs), or in military base offices needing extra hands.
So if you spot a GS-1 or GS-2 opening, don’t assume it’s a forever thing. For many, these jobs are a way in—a place to pick up federal work experience, build a solid resume, and get their foot in the government door much faster than climbing up the private sector ladder.
- GS-1 jobs: Usually require little to no prior experience.
- GS-2 jobs: Sometimes need a high school diploma or about six months of work experience.
- Both have clear pathways to promotion for good performance or extra training.
If you’re looking to get started fast, or you need job security right away, these positions can be a smart launch pad—just don’t expect instant riches or much glamour. Scrappy beginners thrive here, and a lot of today’s federal managers started out in these exact same jobs.
Why Take a Low-Paying Federal Job?
A lot of people shrug at these entry-level federal jobs and wonder why anyone would bother with such a small paycheck. But there are actually some solid reasons people jump on these roles, even if they don’t pay much at first.
First thing: getting your foot in the door. Even a GS-1 or GS-2 job makes you an official federal employee, which opens up way more opportunities down the line. Once you're in the system, it's way easier to apply for better-paying positions or internships that are only available to current federal workers. Some jobs are only advertised internally, so that entry-level spot can be your ticket to something better.
Another huge benefit is the federal benefits package. Even the lowest paying federal jobs come with health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid leave—stuff you often don’t get with many private-sector entry jobs. And let’s not forget the job security. Federal layoffs are rare compared to many industries.
Here are a few specific reasons people take these roles:
- They’re just starting out—maybe they’re students or recent high school grads without work experience.
- They're looking for a stable gig with guaranteed hours and government benefits, even if the pay is low at first.
- They want to break into a government agency where upward mobility happens fast. It's not unusual to see new hires promoted in under a year if they work hard and learn the ropes.
- Some are military spouses who want a portable job that makes it easier to move from one place to another.
And here’s a fact that surprises a lot of people: Starting at the lowest paying federal job means you can often apply for higher grade positions after just six months, thanks to federal hiring rules. So, you’re not stuck at the bottom forever—far from it.
If you’re smart about it, even a so-so paycheck can lead to much better things in government work.
How Fast Can You Move Up?
Stuck in the lowest paying federal government job? It doesn’t have to last long. In most federal agencies, you can move up quickly—sometimes within your first year. The federal system is built on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, which is like a ladder. Each year you’re in your job, you’re eligible for something called a "step increase," which means you get a bump in pay just for sticking around and doing your job well.
But here’s the real game-changer: promotions. If you start as a GS-1 or GS-2, you can usually apply for a higher grade after 12 months. Some programs, like the Pathways Program for students and recent grads, fast-track you even faster—think 6 months to a year for the first jump. If you kick butt and get strong performance reviews, your boss can bump you up even quicker through "career ladder" positions.
Let’s get specific. Here’s what the federal advancement timeline might look like for someone starting in the lowest grades:
| Year | Typical Grade | Annual Base Salary (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Start | GS-1 | $22,400 |
| After 1 Year | GS-2 | $25,700 |
| After 2-3 Years | GS-3 to GS-4 | $28,900 - $32,800 |
| Year 4+ | GS-5+ | $36,900+ |
Now, a lot depends on your agency, job performance, and extra training. Veterans and people with certain skills can jump grades even faster. Always watch internal job boards—many promotions are "merit-based," not just time-based.
- New skills and certifications (like secretarial, IT, or accounting courses) can help you get promoted.
- Supervisors often give strong workers "career ladder" positions, so always aim for those when you apply.
- The higher your grade, the bigger your annual salary increases—sometimes over $4,000 per year as you climb.
It all adds up: Even if you start at the lowest paying federal job, showing up, working hard, and applying smart can get you to a living wage and even a solid middle-class income in just a few years.
Tips for Getting Started
Landing your first federal job, even one at the bottom of the lowest paying federal job scale, takes some know-how. You can’t just drop off a resume and hope for the best—the government has its own process, mostly run through USAJOBS.gov. This is the main website where almost all federal positions get posted, even the GS-1 and GS-2 jobs.
- Create a strong USAJOBS profile: Fill out every section, upload your documents, and double check your details. The system is picky. If your resume doesn’t match the job requirements exactly, you’ll get filtered out before a real person even sees your name.
- Read job postings closely: Those long descriptions aren’t just filler—they tell you everything you’ll need to prove, such as education, experience, or even physical requirements. Some postings let you count volunteer work or part-time gigs, especially for entry-level jobs.
- Be ready for paperwork: You’ll need to gather stuff like your high school diploma, references, and sometimes, proof of U.S. citizenship. Veterans and military spouses get preference in many entry-level roles, so always attach those documents if they apply to you.
- Take skills assessments seriously: Even for the simplest clerk or helper roles, you might have to answer questionnaires or do short online tests. The better you do, the more likely you are to score high (this matters for getting selected).
- Apply broadly: Don’t just apply to one job and sit back. Entry-level federal jobs are super competitive, especially in big cities or areas with military bases. Your best shot is to apply to several openings—even in different agencies—at the same time.
Here’s a practical fact: Many low-level federal jobs lead to automatic raises after your first year “on the job,” as long as you perform well. So, while that first paycheck won’t knock your socks off, a little persistence pays off fast. And if you spot seasonal roles (like with the National Park Service or at the post office), these can get your foot in the door without a big time commitment.