Federal Entry Level Jobs: What You Need to Know in 2025

When you hear federal entry level jobs, government positions designed for people starting their careers with little to no experience. Also known as civil service jobs, these roles are open to high school grads, recent college graduates, and career changers who want stable work with benefits. They’re not just clerk jobs—they include IT support, data analysis, environmental science assistants, and even entry-level roles in law enforcement and public health.

These jobs don’t always require a degree. Many only ask for a high school diploma plus basic computer skills or a short training program. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency that runs hiring for most federal jobs lists hundreds of openings each month under categories like GS-1 through GS-5. You can apply directly through USAJobs.gov, though we won’t link it here. What matters is knowing what’s out there: data entry clerks, lab assistants, park rangers, customer service reps for the IRS, and postal workers. Some roles even let you work from home.

The pay starts around $35,000 a year, but it grows fast with experience and promotions. Unlike private companies, the federal system has clear steps—each year you stay, you move up a step. You also get health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave from day one. And unlike many private jobs, you don’t need to beg for vacation time. It’s built in.

Many people think you need to know someone or have a fancy degree to land one of these jobs. That’s not true. The system is designed to be fair. You take a test, fill out a form, and if you score high enough, you get called. Some jobs even let you skip the test if you’ve done similar work in the military or state government.

And if you’re wondering whether this is worth it compared to private sector jobs—yes, especially if you want stability. The turnover is low. The benefits are solid. And if you’re good at your job, you can move into management, specialized tech roles, or even switch agencies without starting over.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and practical guides on how to get started. From how to write a federal resume that actually gets noticed, to which jobs pay the most at entry level, to what to expect on the application portal. You’ll see what worked for people who had no connections, no Ivy League degrees, and no idea where to begin. They just followed the steps. And now they’re working for the government.