Lowest Federal Government Salary: What You Need to Know

Did you know the federal government actually posts its lowest possible wage online every year? If you're thinking about getting your foot in the government door, you probably want to know the lowest paycheck you’ll walk home with. Forget rumors—let’s talk real numbers and how they’re set.

Most full-time federal jobs use the General Schedule (GS). The scale starts at GS-1, Step 1. For 2025, that annual figure is about $23,400. It works out to roughly $11.23 an hour if you’re on a 40-hour work week. Not much flash there, right? But it’s a safe, steady paycheck with full federal benefits, which is why these jobs still see a lot of applicants.

But that’s not the whole story. Where you work—big city or small town—can bump that salary with something called “locality pay.” DC, San Francisco, or New York pay more for the same job than, say, Montana. If you have military or special skills, certain agencies might wave GS-1 goodbye and start you higher up. Still, for absolute starters with zero experience, GS-1 Step 1 is the lowest the government will pay.

• Getting Real About Federal Pay Scales
• What’s the Bottom Line Salary?
• Factors That Change the Numbers
• Smart Tips for First-Time Applicants

Getting Real About Federal Pay Scales

Before you get excited—or disappointed—about the pay for government jobs, you’ve got to understand the system driving those numbers: the General Schedule, known as the GS pay scale. Most office jobs in the federal government fall under this system, and it decides how much you’ll make, based on your job's grade and step.

The GS scale starts at GS-1 and goes up to GS-15. Each grade has ten “steps,” which are basically mini-raises based on how long you’ve been in the job or if you perform well. Here’s a quick look at the bottom row of the ladder for 2025, just to give you a sense of what entry-level folks are actually seeing:

Just because you see lowest federal salary numbers like this, don’t think everyone starts at GS-1. It’s rare. Most jobs require at least some education or work experience, so a lot of new hires start at GS-3 or higher. But GS-1 still exists, usually for basic support roles where you don’t need a degree or special skills.

And here’s something useful: not every federal job uses the GS scale. Jobs in law enforcement, healthcare, or skilled trades might use different pay systems with different starting salaries. Still, for most entry-level gigs, the GS overview paints an honest picture of where you stand.

• Your grade depends mostly on your education and work experience.
• Moving up a step is automatic with experience (after a year at first, longer as you get higher).
• Raises also come with federal cost-of-living adjustments, set each year by Congress or the President.

What’s the Bottom Line Salary?

Here’s what most people want to know up front: lowest federal salary for a full-time employee in the U.S. government. For 2025, the absolute floor is GS-1, Step 1. That means $23,440 per year before taxes. If you break that down weekly, it's about $451, and hourly, that’s $11.23. This pay isn't just pulled from thin air—it comes directly from the federal pay tables, which get updated every year by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

"The General Schedule is the pay scale for most federal workers, and for entry-level positions, GS-1 is as low it goes. Locality adjustments matter, but the base rate is clear." – Office of Personnel Management (opm.gov)

You might be thinking, "Wait, I heard government jobs pay more." And yeah, most do. GS-1 is rare, mainly for basic clerk or laborer jobs that don’t require much experience or education. A lot of agencies start new hires at GS-3 or GS-4 because they need at least a high school diploma or some specialized skills. But for the actual lowest possible, GS-1, Step 1 is the answer.

There’s also a catch: location can give that number a boost. Places with high living costs—like Washington D.C., San Francisco, and New York—have something called locality pay. It works like a bonus on top of your base pay, so your actual take-home can be higher than the base formula. Here’s how it breaks down for 2025:

But don’t get discouraged. Even the lowest federal jobs offer benefits you won’t see working at most retail chains: health insurance, sick leave, paid holidays, and retirement plans. So, the dollar amount might not blow you away, but the total package can actually make it a practical starting point.

Factors That Change the Numbers

The lowest federal pay isn’t set in stone; it shifts depending on a few things you probably wouldn't expect. Just because the General Schedule starts at GS-1 doesn’t mean everyone gets the exact same amount—far from it. Here’s what actually tweaks your paycheck:

• Location (Locality Pay): The government knows living in San Francisco costs way more than in Des Moines. That’s why they tack on extra called "locality pay." For example, a GS-1 Step 1 in San Francisco can pull in several thousand dollars more per year than the same job in rural Idaho.
• Type of Position: Not all government jobs use the GS system. Some are under the Federal Wage System, and a few rare ones—like Congressional pages or some interns—can have their own pay schedules. Sometimes hourly rates apply, especially for temporary work.
• Step Increases: Even at the GS-1 level, you have steps—basically mini-promotions. After a year of decent work, you can bump up a step, and the pay goes up a bit. This is true for every GS grade.
• Special Hiring Programs: Vets, students, or folks with special skills sometimes start out a step higher, or even skip low grades completely. There are early career programs like Pathways that often pay better than you’d expect for an entry-level gig.
• Overtime and Night Pay: If your job has weird hours or runs overtime, you get paid for that. Federal law guarantees time and a half if you go beyond your scheduled work hours—even at GS-1.

If you’re looking at the lowest federal salary, remember to factor in all this. The “base pay” is just the start. Your actual take-home number could look much better depending on where and how you work.

Smart Tips for First-Time Applicants

Landing your first federal job isn’t all luck—it’s about knowing the system. If you want to start earning even the lowest federal salary, you’ve got to play it smart from your first application.

Start by getting familiar with USAJOBS.gov. This is the main website where federal openings pop up. Use it to search by agency, job title, location, or even salary range. Agencies ask for long, detailed resumes—don’t just upload your standard one-page version. Instead, show off every relevant skill, class, or part-time gig. Federal HR people want to see how each thing you’ve done lines up with the requirements in the job announcement.

• Read job postings cover to cover. Look for keywords like “GS-1” or “GS-2.” If you don’t meet every bullet point, don’t give up—some experience can substitute for another, especially at entry levels.
• Pay attention to the closing dates. Some jobs get pulled early if enough people apply. Save your application so you can tweak it for other positions later—it’ll save a ton of time.
• Know that patience is key. Security checks and background investigations often slow down the hiring process. It’s normal for several months to pass before you hear back.
• Don’t skip the questionnaire part on USAJOBS. How you answer those “yes/no” questions can decide if your application gets a closer look—or tossed.

If you feel stuck at the bottom, use the “Pathways” internship and recent graduate programs. These programs are built for students and newbies and can literally be your ticket to full government jobs, sometimes jumping you above GS-1.

Finally, never be afraid to reach out to current government employees through LinkedIn or agency contacts. They’ve been in your shoes and might even give you the inside scoop on hiring managers or best times to apply. Getting your first job might not be glamorous, but everyone starts somewhere—sometimes right at the bottom.