It has reported a mean pay gap – the difference between average salaries for men and women - of 5.3% and a median pay gap of 5.9%.
This is compared to the UK’s national gender pay gap of 18.1%, which is the lowest since records began in 1997.
The DfE's averages were calculated by how much an individual is paid per hour so takes into consideration part-time workers, which are often more likely to be women.
Secretary of state for education and minister for women and equalities Justine Greening said she was “proud” of the move and said it set a good example for other employers.
Adding: “As one of the UK’s largest employers, the public sector has a vital role to play in leading the way to tackle the gender pay gap which is why the DfE’s step to publish our gender pay gap matters.
“Through transparency we can find out what the situation is, where there is best practice and create pressure for more progress.”
Today’s figures also show a mean bonus pay gap of only 0.8% and a 0.0% median bonus pay gap.
The DfE said its bonus awards are based on performance and this 0.0% pay gap reflects the fact that men and women’s performance is valued equally and fairly.
A breakdown of the difference in pay between men and women also revealed that 55% of the department’s senior civil servants were female but there was a higher concentration of women in lower paid roles hence the difference in average pay for women across the department.
