You might think that every federal job comes with fat paychecks and fancy titles. Nope. Someone’s got to do the truly entry-level work, and yes, the pay can be surprisingly low, even in government.

Federal jobs use something called the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. If you start hunting around, GS-1 and GS-2 are the real bottom rungs. Jobs at this level are usually super basic: think mail clerks, laborers, or food service helpers. As of early 2025, GS-1 pay starts about $24,600 a year before taxes. And yes, that’s barely above minimum wage in some cities.

But here’s the kicker: getting these jobs isn’t totally pointless or dead-end. Tons of government workers started at the very bottom, sometimes pushing carts or stuffing envelopes, and worked their way into much better roles. Also, these jobs bring rock-solid benefits like health insurance and a real shot at promotion if you play your cards right.

• What Counts as the Lowest Paying Federal Job?
• Federal Pay Scales: Cracking the Code
• Typical Low-Paying Job Titles
• Why People Still Take These Jobs
• Tips for Moving Up Quickly

What Counts as the Lowest Paying Federal Job?

Let’s get real. The lowest paying gigs in the federal government aren’t secret—they show up right on the official pay charts. These jobs sit at the very bottom of the General Schedule (GS) pay system. When you look up lowest paying federal government jobs, you’ll see GS-1 and GS-2 at the bottom of the ladder.

So, what sort of work lands here? Typical titles include mail clerk, custodian, food service worker, or sometimes a laborer at a national park or military base. You won’t need a college degree for most of these. Sometimes, just a high school diploma or even less gets you in.

Here’s what the 2025 basic annual pay looks like for these bottom-tier jobs:

Location matters, too. In big cities or high-cost areas, the government bumps up these numbers with a “locality pay” boost. But you’re still looking at wages that barely compete with entry-level retail or fast-food jobs in many places.

A weird detail? GS-1 positions are super rare these days. Most agencies just don’t use them, preferring to start workers at GS-2 or GS-3 for even basic tasks. So, if you see a GS-1 job posting, that’s like spotting a unicorn.

Long story short: the absolute lowest paychecks in federal service go to jobs labeled as GS-1 or GS-2. They’re basic, but they’re steady—and for some, that’s all that matters when starting out.

Federal Pay Scales: Cracking the Code

When it comes to federal jobs, pay isn’t some mysterious number picked out of a hat. Most government civilian paychecks are built around the General Schedule, or GS, which is a giant pay table running from GS-1 (lowest) to GS-15 (highest non-executive jobs). There are a few other systems, but GS covers over 70% of the federal workforce — including those lowest paying federal government jobs you’re curious about.

Here’s how it works: every job is sorted into a “grade” (around your skills and job duties) and a “step” (how long you’ve worked or how your boss rates you). Each combination pays a set dollar amount, and you can check the value any time at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website, which posts updated tables every January. The pay is impacted by city or state, thanks to something called "locality pay." Big cities like San Francisco or New York add a chunk more to your check than somewhere like rural Kansas, just to keep up with living costs.

If you're wondering what the actual numbers are for the lowest rungs, here’s a breakdown for 2025 base salary, before locality or extra boosts:

As you move up even one GS level, the base pay jumps noticeably. But GS-1 and GS-2 are mostly reserved for jobs that don’t require any college or special training. Most folks can apply with just a high school diploma or sometimes none at all.

One more thing: every year, the President and Congress decide if there will be a federal pay raise. That’s why the numbers keep shifting a bit. For someone starting out, these facts matter — every dollar counts when you’re making early career moves in government.

Typical Low-Paying Job Titles

So, which jobs actually sit at the bottom of the federal government ladder? These are the ones where you’ll probably start with the lowest paying federal government jobs label, usually sticking around GS-1 or GS-2 on the General Schedule pay scale.

Here are a few job titles you’ll spot at the lowest pay grades:

• Mail Clerk – Handles incoming and outgoing mail, sorts letters, and delivers packages in federal buildings.
• Laborer – Does basic physical work like cleaning, moving furniture, or mowing government grounds.
• Food Service Worker – Works in cafeterias, cleans tables, helps with food prep, and sometimes serves meals.
• Janitorial Worker – Cleans offices, bathrooms, and common areas in government offices or buildings.
• File Clerk – Files paperwork and retrieves records, sometimes using basic computer systems if needed.

These jobs don’t ask for much experience or training. If you’ve graduated high school or even if you dropped out, you can usually qualify. Here’s what the pay really looks like for these positions as of May 2025:

Keep in mind, these are base numbers. If you land one of these jobs in a city with a higher cost of living (like San Francisco or D.C.), there’s a locality pay bump. But don’t expect a huge jump—these jobs are still at the low end even in pricier areas.

One more thing: folks who start in these spots often move up within a year or two if they stick around, get good reviews, and show up on time. These jobs might not pay much, but they’re usually a foot in the door for better government gigs down the line.

Why People Still Take These Jobs

It sounds strange, but there’s a good reason people stick with the lowest paying federal government jobs, even when the pay is barely above minimum wage. For starters, the federal government has some benefits you just don’t see in the private sector, especially for entry-level work. Free training, paid time off, retirement plans, and healthcare can make even a basic mailroom gig more attractive than you’d think.

Take a look at the benefits a GS-1 or GS-2 worker can count on, even if the salary is on the low end:

• Federal health insurance that kicks in even for low-level employees
• Paid federal holidays (up to 11 days a year, right out of the gate)
• Ten days of paid vacation after just one year
• Access to the government’s Thrift Savings Plan (basically a 401(k))
• Real stability—you’re very unlikely to get a sudden layoff notice

Here’s how basic GS salaries compare to some common private sector jobs as of 2025:

Another huge draw? Experience. These jobs get your foot in the door for more respected—and higher paying—government roles. After just a year, many workers can apply for better gigs internally. Plus, federal jobs add on points for veterans, folks with disabilities, and people who speak more than one language, making it easier for a wide range of people to start a career path.

For many, the government’s “last-in, first-out” rules also mean job security is about as good as it gets, even during economic downturns. So if you need benefits, want to avoid a pink slip, or simply want that government resume stamp, these low-paying roles make sense as a starting point.

Tips for Moving Up Quickly

If you land one of the lowest paying federal government jobs, you definitely don’t want to stay there forever. But good news—federal jobs have a reputation for letting hard workers climb the ladder faster than you’d think. Here’s how you get noticed and promoted quickly:

• Show Up and Actually Care: Entry-level jobs aren’t glamorous, but managers love someone who consistently shows up, pays attention, and takes pride in even super-basic work.
• Learn the Rules: Each agency has its own quirks and systems. Read everything you’re sent. Know how the promotion system works at your location. Some jobs have ‘time-in-grade’ rules (usually one year minimum), but you can sometimes get promoted faster if you ace evaluations.
• Ask for More: Don’t just coast. Ask for extra tasks or to help on new projects. If a teammate doesn’t want to run copies, you do it—and do it right.
• Take Every Training: Federal jobs throw tons of training your way—online courses, on-site sessions, and sometimes certifications. Take all of it, even the boring ones. Some promotions require certain classes or certificates in your file.
• Network Like Crazy: Get to know people outside your tiny circle. Introduce yourself to coworkers from other departments at lunch or in the hallway. Many internal job openings never get advertised to outsiders.

Here’s a look at how entry-level jobs can jump up in pay in a few short years thanks to federal pay increases and promotions:

It’s not magic—just steady effort, patience, and a willingness to learn the system. Stick with it, hustle, and those early paychecks start growing a whole lot faster than you might expect.