Lowest Paid 100 Federal Occupations in 2013

This table shows the top 100 least well-paid occupations in the federal government in 2013, ranked by average pay. In 2013, the worst paying job was "Barbering," with an average yearly pay of $400. The second worst paying job, "Sales Store Clerical," follows with an average of $21,289, which is a 5222.25% increase.

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Rank	Occupation Title	Average Pay	Lowest Paid Individual
1	Barber	$400.00	$400
2	Sales Store Clerk	$21,288.99	$16,571
3	Agricultural Commodity Aid	$26,246.47	$22,851
4	Miscellaneous Food Preparer and Server	$26,271.94	$23,479
5	Library and Archives Student Trainee	$28,262.37	$21,686
6	Messenger	$29,136.53	$22,851
7	Biological Science Student Trainee	$30,228.05	$20,324
8	Copyright and Patent Student Trainee	$30,659.00	$30,456
9	Food Service Worker	$31,023.83	$16,049
10	Laundry Worker	$31,068.76	$18,386
11	Administration and Office Support Student Trainee	$31,311.12	$20,324
12	Quality Inspection Student Trainee	$31,315.00	$31,315
13	General Student Trainee	$31,769.74	$20,324
14	Custodial Worker	$32,355.93	$300
15	Guide	$32,446.83	$20,324
16	Wiper	$32,532.00	$32,532
17	Supply Student Trainee	$32,928.73	$22,851
18	Miscellaneous General Services and Support Worker	$33,016.49	$19,931
19	Plant Protection Technician	$33,270.18	$20,324
20	Laborer	$33,395.79	$400
21	Investigation Student Trainee	$33,538.27	$22,851
22	Insects Production Worker	$33,799.13	$25,837
23	Physical Science Student Trainee	$33,801.01	$20,324
24	Medical and Health Student Trainee	$33,802.06	$3,566
25	Telephone Operator	$33,894.99	$24,933
26	Information Receptionist	$34,131.02	$23,294
27	Financial Management Student Trainee	$34,265.49	$22,115
28	Mail and File Employee	$34,641.08	$250
29	Data Transcriber	$35,029.99	$25,304
30	Language Clerk	$35,494.36	$24,933
31	Ordinary Seaman	$35,500.00	$35,500
32	Nursing Assistant	$36,066.61	$22,851
33	Engineer and Architecture Student Trainee	$36,173.30	$22,851
34	Second Cook	$36,364.23	$36,193
35	Sewing Machine Operator	$36,661.56	$27,486
36	Miscellaneous Personal Services	$36,812.75	$34,644
37	Legal Occupations Student Trainee	$36,927.82	$22,851
38	Information and Arts Student Trainee	$36,935.76	$24,933
39	Laboratory Worker	$37,026.74	$23,082
40	Range Technician	$37,187.05	$22,851
41	Store Worker	$37,347.00	$36,606
42	Clerk-Typist	$37,656.98	$22,115
43	Ofc Automation Clerk and Assistant	$37,729.81	$332
44	Oiler	$37,755.00	$37,704
45	Business and Industry Student Trainee	$37,775.72	$22,851
46	Recreation Aid and Assistant	$37,778.63	$20,324
47	Statistical Assistant	$38,088.05	$27,990
48	Miscellaneous Vessel Jobs	$38,154.84	$32,532
49	Human Resources Management Student Trainne	$38,246.18	$24,865
50	Medical Support Assistant	$38,469.37	$79
51	Forestry Technician	$38,689.43	$20,324
52	Autopsy Assistant	$38,705.23	$27,990
53	Equipment Operator	$38,707.89	$743
54	Communications Clerk	$38,878.53	$28,072
55	Medical Technician	$39,349.04	$24,933
56	Equipment and Facilities Management Student Trainee	$39,349.65	$27,990
57	Telecommunications Processer	$39,446.20	$24,933
58	Transportation Student Trainee	$39,476.59	$27,990
59	Irrigation System Operator	$39,656.83	$24,933
60	Miscellaneous Transportation/Mobile Equipment Operator	$39,673.69	$26,922
61	Cash Processer	$39,712.69	$17,948
62	Information Technology Student Trainee	$39,761.39	$22,865
63	Able Seaman	$39,967.88	$39,120
64	Social Science Aid and Technician	$39,977.10	$24,933
65	Correspondence Clerk	$40,021.82	$29,855
66	Compliance Inspector	$40,055.51	$27,640
67	Engine Utilityman	$40,587.50	$40,442
68	Biological Science Technician	$40,636.94	$20,324
69	Medical Supply Aide and Technician	$40,878.82	$100
70	Dispatcher	$41,093.00	$27,990
71	Animal Caretaker	$41,095.43	$24,439
72	Dental Assistant	$41,205.24	$22,851
73	Insurance Accountant	$41,234.89	$33,026
74	Pharmacy Technician	$41,256.19	$150
75	Security Guard	$41,503.79	$21,087
76	Laboratory Support Worker	$41,671.87	$38,505
77	Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant	$41,706.53	$50
78	Supply Clerk and Technician	$41,713.59	$150
79	Social Services Aid and Assistant	$41,782.99	$27,990
80	Health Aid and Technician	$41,914.18	$150
81	Laundry Machine Operator	$41,949.66	$22,039
82	Voucher Examiner	$42,404.28	$27,990
83	Security Clerk and Assistant	$42,459.87	$27,990
84	Mathematician and Statistics Student Trainne	$42,526.18	$24,933
85	Social Science Student Trainee	$42,633.44	$21,686
86	General Telecommunications Employee	$42,822.14	$31,315
87	Cemetery Caretaker	$43,112.00	$23,207
88	Economics Assistant	$43,156.97	$24,933
89	Claims Assistance and Examining Personnel	$43,226.10	$28,056
90	Art Specialist	$43,257.50	$40,084
91	Soil Conservation Technician	$43,299.06	$20,324
92	Transportation Clerk and Assistant	$43,344.69	$29,860
93	Education Student Trainee	$43,384.54	$27,990
94	Seaman/Fisherman	$43,788.45	$35,683
95	Tractor Operator	$43,846.36	$24,209
96	Tools and Parts Attendant	$43,910.90	$31,639
97	Civilian	$44,329.99	$24,933
98	Financial Clerk and Assistant	$44,406.46	$17,468
99	Motor Vehicle Operator	$44,411.09	$100
100	Chief Cook	$44,428.33	$42,533

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.