Ever wondered just how low you can start out on the federal government pay scale? Spoiler: it’s not as high as most people think. While government jobs come with good benefits, the pay at the bottom rung might surprise you.
The federal government uses a system called “General Schedule” (GS) to set most of its salaries. The lowest spot on that ladder is called GS-1, step 1. If you’re fresh out of high school or have zero work experience, that’s likely where you’d land. Sure, the benefits package is better than in most private jobs, but the starting wage won’t have you swimming in cash.
If you’re prepping for a government job, it’s smart to know where you’ll start. You might find yourself in a mailroom or helping in an office somewhere—it's honest work, but don’t expect big bucks right away.
- How Federal Pay Scales Work: The Basics
- What Is the Actual Lowest Federal Salary?
- Which Jobs Offer the Minimum Salary?
- What Living on the Lowest Salary Looks Like
- Tips for Climbing Beyond Entry-Level Pay
How Federal Pay Scales Work: The Basics
If you want to figure out what you’d actually earn at a federal job, you have to get comfy with something called the General Schedule, or GS for short. The GS pay scale covers over 70% of all civilian federal workers in the United States. That means most of the jobs you see on USAJOBS.gov use this same step ladder system.
Here’s how it works in plain English. The GS has 15 grades—think of them as job levels, from GS-1 (the lowest) up to GS-15 (the highest before you hit the executive ranks). Inside each grade, there are 10 steps. Every step is basically a pay bump you can earn for putting in time or getting good performance reviews.
The lowest federal salary lives at the bottom: GS-1, step 1. If you stay in the same job and get decent reviews, you move up a step about once a year early on, earning more without changing jobs.
- Grade (GS-1 through GS-15) mostly depends on the job’s required education or experience.
- Steps (1–10 within each grade) are about time on the job and meeting expectations.
- Base pay changes based on location (big cities = higher salary, generally), thanks to “locality” pay adjustments.
Here’s a sample table from 2025 showing the base pay (before locality increases):
| Grade/Step | Yearly Base Pay (2025) |
|---|---|
| GS-1 Step 1 | $22,500 |
| GS-1 Step 5 | $24,000 |
| GS-1 Step 10 | $26,000 |
| GS-4 Step 1 | $29,400 |
| GS-7 Step 1 | $38,900 |
Most federal jobs start higher than GS-1, but if you only meet the minimum requirements, you’re looking right at the bottom of the chart. One more thing: almost every year, Congress approves a small pay bump. Don’t expect a massive jump, but it does add up over time.
What Is the Actual Lowest Federal Salary?
You probably hear people talk about federal jobs and picture pretty decent paychecks. But the lowest federal salary is a real eye-opener. In 2025, the absolute minimum you can earn as a federal employee is at the GS-1, step 1 level on the General Schedule pay scale.
Here’s the current number: as of June 2025, the GS-1, step 1 salary is $22,664 per year before taxes. That’s for full-time work (40 hours a week). Most locations in the U.S. use this base salary, but some places add a bit more because of higher living costs—this extra is called "locality pay." For example, working in San Francisco or New York will bump your check up compared to small towns in Iowa. Still, that base pay is the anchor everywhere.
| Pay Grade | Step | 2025 Base Salary (Annual) | Example Monthly Take-Home* |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | Step 1 | $22,664 | ~$1,550 |
*Monthly take-home is an estimate after basic federal taxes and minimal deductions. It’ll vary by state and insurance, but this gives you a ballpark.
If you get promoted just one step up (GS-1, step 2), you only gain about $700 a year. Even at the very top of GS-1 (that’s step 10), it still sits well below $30,000. Raises come slow at this level, so it pays to aim for a higher grade or get more education under your belt.
This GS-1, step 1 salary is for jobs that usually need no experience or even just a high school diploma (or less). Think mail clerks, file assistants, or basic support roles. These are important jobs, but they’re very much entry-level.
If you’re shooting for a job with a more livable wage, you need to look higher up the GS ladder, or choose agencies with higher starting pay (like the U.S. Postal Service, which isn’t on this pay scale).
Which Jobs Offer the Minimum Salary?
So what kind of work actually pays the federal government's lowest wage? We're talking about jobs that are usually listed as GS-1 or sometimes GS-2. These are true entry-level positions—think basic support and helper roles where you don’t need any college degree or much work experience.
Here are some of the most common jobs that offer the lowest federal salary:
- Clerical Assistants: These are folks who handle paperwork, office filing, or simple data entry. You’ll find them in places like federal courthouses or big agencies.
- Mailroom Staff: Responsible for sorting and delivering mail within federal offices, this is one of the classic GS-1 positions. It’s repetitive but necessary work.
- Laborers and Cleaners: Think about janitorial crews for federal buildings, groundskeepers, or basic maintenance helpers. No fancy training required—but you do need to show up and work hard.
- Food Service Workers: Lots of large federal workplaces, military bases, and VA hospitals have cafeterias, and the people cleaning trays and serving simple meals often start at the bottom rung.
Most of these roles come with supervised tasks and don’t need specialized skills. Agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, General Services Administration, and even the National Park Service often have these listings throughout the year.
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
“The lowest salary for federal employees in the General Schedule in 2025 is set by law; these positions offer a foot in the door and a foundation for advancement.”
One thing to know: landing a job at this level isn't as easy as just applying. There’s still a background check, sometimes a written test, and you’ll need references. But for folks with little experience, these jobs are designed as a starting block with room to learn the ropes and work your way up.
What Living on the Lowest Salary Looks Like
Let’s get real about what life is actually like on the lowest federal salary. For most people in 2025, a GS-1, step 1 job pays $23,547 a year before taxes. That means about $1,962 per month—probably more like $1,600 or less after subtracting federal tax, some state tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Think about that for a minute. That’s full-time work, and you’re not even making $2,000 a month in take-home pay.
Here’s what those numbers look like side-by-side with some real-life expenses:
| Category | Average U.S. Monthly Cost (2025) | How Much Left from GS-1 Salary? |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom, small city) | $1,225 | $375 |
| Utilities & Internet | $220 | $155 |
| Groceries | $310 | -$155 |
| Transport (public or gas) | $120 | -$275 |
| Health Insurance (after benefits) | $60 | -$335 |
You see the pattern: on a GS-1’s paycheck, even living simple is tough without help. Most people at this salary can’t afford to live alone, so they rent with roommates, stay with family, or qualify for extra help like SNAP or local housing programs. Babysitting student loans or raising a family? That’s going to stretch every dollar even thinner.
One upside most folks forget: federal jobs—even the absolute lowest—come with decent health benefits and retirement options. That’s a big deal if you’ve ever worked a private sector minimum wage job with zero medical perks. Still, don’t expect to buy a house or take fancy vacations while stuck at GS-1.
So, while it’s definitely possible to get by for a year or two at entry level, no one stays there if they can help it. It’s basically a stepping stone—the faster you move up, the better.
Tips for Climbing Beyond Entry-Level Pay
So, you’re stuck at a GS-1 or GS-2 job and wondering how to move up? You’re not alone. The federal government actually makes it pretty clear how you can earn more—if you know the tricks of the system.
Start by nailing your job duties every single day. The feds use annual performance reviews, and solid reviews open the door for step increases within your grade. Usually, you get a small pay bump every year just for sticking around and doing your job well (these are called "Within-Grade Increases").
If you’re hungry for bigger jumps, don’t just wait for time to pass. Look at the OG job board for the United States, USAJOBS.gov. Search for jobs at higher GS levels—like GS-3, GS-4, and up. These are meant for people with more experience, some college, or special skills. Sometimes, you can jump up a grade by showing off what you did in your current position.
Take advantage of tuition reimbursement and training programs. Tons of agencies will pay for classes that build your skills. Finishing a certificate or even a few college classes can make you eligible for a higher grade.
- Keep your resume up to date—add new duties and every training you finish.
- Tell your supervisor you want more responsibility. Sometimes all it takes is asking to shadow someone or help on a bigger project.
- Apply for "Merit Promotion" jobs, which are only open to current federal employees. This is a shortcut to higher pay, only available to people already inside the system.
- Remember the magic number: each GS grade comes with about a $2,000 to $3,000 annual increase. Jumping from GS-1 to GS-3 can mean a noticeable difference in your bank account.
Bottom line: Don’t settle for the lowest federal salary. The system is built for steady growth if you’re willing to learn, hustle, and show what you can do.
