What does the expression ''low man on the totem pole'' mean?

Low man on the totem pole means that the person is at the bottom in a hierarchical system. A totem pole is a statue of carved faces stacked one on top of the other. The face at the bottom is the last of the stack. The carved faces above it, would be higher up in rank or authority.

This is actually the reverse of the real meaning of a totem pole. In Native American culture, the figure on the bottom is supporting the other figures -- it is the most important one.
this is a meaning in which the man may be poor financailly of as a upstanding citizen. most occasion it is used in the financail sense
it means someone who is unimportant. if you are high on the totem pole you are the boss, and therefor the most important person
The totem was used by the native Americans as a tribute to the Spirits/Gods. They carved different types of animals into a large log depicting the important characteristics of a certain tribes belief systems. The different animals were always carved in order of their importance from the bottom to the top so "low man on the totem pole" would basically imply the least important of the group. In todays world we use it to express that a person has the least amount of authority in a company or organization, that he is required to report to someone in a higher position and usually can not make any company related decisions of his own.