Lowest Paid 100 Federal Occupations in 2006

This table shows the top 100 least well-paid occupations in the federal government in 2006, ranked by average pay. In 2006, the worst paying job was "Barbering," with an average yearly pay of $11,901. The second worst paying job, "Sales Store Clerical," follows with an average of $19,066, which is a 60.21% increase.

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Rank	Occupation Title	Average Pay	Lowest Paid Individual
1	Barber	$11,900.50	$110
2	Sales Store Clerk	$19,066.42	$14,004
3	Agricultural Commodity Aid	$23,727.55	$20,687
4	Miscellaneous Food Preparer and Server	$23,963.75	$19,952
5	Messenger	$26,358.89	$20,687
6	Plant Protection Technician	$27,038.53	$18,385
7	Insects Production Worker	$27,859.70	$16,529
8	Food Service Worker	$27,941.39	$13,941
9	Laundry Worker	$28,078.98	$16,592
10	Guide	$28,303.49	$19,145
11	Quality Inspection Student Trainee	$28,349.00	$28,349
12	Administration and Office Support Student Trainee	$28,359.07	$18,399
13	Laborer	$28,407.01	$16,529
14	Information Receptionist	$28,831.43	$18,399
15	Custodial Worker	$28,886.32	$16,133
16	Biological Science Student Trainee	$28,900.36	$18,385
17	Wiper	$28,962.00	$28,962
18	Ordinary Seaman	$29,172.75	$28,962
19	Clerk-Typist	$29,246.75	$19,214
20	Ofc Automation Clerk and Assistant	$30,170.24	$18,385
21	Library and Archives Student Trainee	$30,223.50	$22,519
22	Medical and Health Student Trainee	$30,428.55	$8,632
23	Transportation Student Trainee	$30,441.67	$21,800
24	Mail and File Employee	$30,581.49	$75
25	Telephone Operator	$30,602.97	$22,572
26	Equipment and Facilities Management Student Trainee	$30,604.67	$28,349
27	Financial Management Student Trainee	$30,658.86	$19,214
28	Data Transcriber	$31,246.24	$20,687
29	Supply Student Trainee	$31,295.83	$26,875
30	Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Operator	$31,706.79	$23,354
31	Business and Industry Student Trainee	$32,131.34	$20,687
32	Second Cook	$32,425.28	$32,222
33	Legal Occupations Student Trainee	$32,432.50	$22,572
34	Mechanical Parts Repairman	$32,557.00	$32,557
35	Nursing Assistant	$32,570.69	$503
36	Recreation Aid and Assistant	$32,650.21	$18,027
37	Range Technician	$32,999.47	$20,687
38	Human Resources Management Student Trainne	$33,050.06	$22,572
39	Able Seaman	$33,153.79	$31,171
40	Miscellaneous Vessel Jobs	$33,153.99	$28,163
41	Mathematician and Statistics Student Trainne	$33,232.12	$20,687
42	Physical Science Student Trainee	$33,255.78	$20,729
43	Engineer and Architecture Student Trainee	$33,320.26	$20,687
44	Miscellaneous Personal Services	$33,485.50	$32,841
45	Medical Support Assistant	$33,500.52	$18,399
46	Sewing Machine Operator	$33,539.95	$22,811
47	Oiler Diesel	$33,601.00	$33,601
48	General Student Trainee	$33,885.23	$21,602
49	Oiler	$33,943.29	$33,561
50	Information and Arts Student Trainee	$33,976.26	$23,270
51	Laboratory Worker	$34,039.85	$22,811
52	Statistical Assistant	$34,079.32	$20,060
53	Investigation Student Trainee	$34,114.33	$23,571
54	Security Guard	$34,387.95	$18,027
55	Equipment Operator	$34,493.50	$20,687
56	Compliance Inspector	$34,662.81	$698
57	Correspondence Clerk	$34,869.57	$25,338
58	Dispatcher	$34,877.31	$22,572
59	Able Seaman (Maintenance)	$34,892.00	$34,824
60	Dental Assistant	$34,911.18	$20,687
61	Biological Science Technician	$34,998.60	$16,352
62	Insurance Accountant	$35,016.49	$27,663
63	Cash Processer	$35,179.75	$22,572
64	Forestry Technician	$35,269.25	$18,385
65	Autopsy Assistant	$35,294.65	$25,338
66	Medical Technician	$35,311.01	$19,947
67	Animal Caretaker	$35,758.12	$23,458
68	Pharmacy Technician	$35,848.21	$18,399
69	Education and Training Technician	$35,942.16	$16,444
70	Education Student Trainee	$35,966.70	$26,460
71	Engine Utilityman	$35,999.00	$35,999
72	Telecommunications Processer	$36,213.83	$22,572
73	Medical Supply Aide and Technician	$36,262.20	$18,399
74	Social Science Student Trainee	$36,332.10	$19,284
75	Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant	$36,532.01	$9,484
76	Soil Conservation Technician	$36,603.24	$18,385
77	Miscellaneous Plant and Animal Work	$36,603.36	$26,401
78	Irrigation System Operator	$36,725.31	$22,572
79	Information Technology Student Trainee	$36,770.75	$21,602
80	Rubber Equipment Repairman	$36,940.00	$36,940
81	Laundry Machine Operator	$37,087.44	$19,138
82	Social Services Aid and Assistant	$37,117.39	$20,687
83	Health Aid and Technician	$37,339.77	$100
84	Social Science Aid and Technician	$37,408.00	$18,399
85	Communications Clerk	$37,474.74	$30,240
86	Laboratory Support Worker	$37,492.70	$27,528
87	Supply Clerk and Technician	$37,657.91	$15,444
88	Voucher Examiner	$37,669.83	$25,195
89	Cemetery Caretaker	$37,681.70	$21,893
90	Claims Assistance and Examining Personnel	$38,502.59	$22,519
91	Language Clerk	$38,527.54	$29,218
92	Farmer	$38,542.00	$26,776
93	Surveying Technician	$38,722.63	$18,399
94	Mobile Equipment Servicing	$38,930.27	$27,465
95	Baker	$39,006.00	$39,006
96	Tractor Operator	$39,290.23	$24,647
97	Medical Records Technician	$39,331.69	$500
98	Economics Assistant	$39,480.03	$25,338
99	Practical Nurse	$39,484.69	$500
100	Military Personnel	$39,628.42	$28,349

Data Sources

The information provided on these pages is sourced from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) dataset. Postal Service data is managed exclusively by the USPS . All information is displayed unmodified and as provided by the source agency.

Federal employee salaries are public information under open government laws (5 U.S.C. § 552). FederalPay provides this data in the interest of government transparency — employee data may not be used for commercial soliciting or vending of any kind. Learn more about the FederalPay Employees Dataset here.