Physical Science Student Trainee

What the Numbers Say About Physical Science Student Trainee

As of the March 2025 reporting window, 254 people work in the Physical Science Student Trainee occupation (OPM code 1399) across federal agencies, 0.0% of the 2,289,472-strong federal civilian workforce. Headcount moved down by -18.1% from the prior period, though at this small a headcount, year-to-year swings can reflect a handful of hires or departures rather than a broad hiring trend.

The average salary for Physical Science Student Trainee is $47,788 per year, placing it 56.5% below the overall federal civilian average of $109,869. Salaries moved up by 3.4% from the prior period, a broad shift as locality pay tables and grade-level adjustments moved through the workforce. Average length of service in this role is 1.6 years, a comparatively short average tenure, which can reflect faster turnover, a competitive private-sector alternative, or a newer program still building up its workforce.

The Physical Sciences Group family (code 13) groups Physical Science Student Trainee together with 24 other related occupations across the federal government. Candidates browsing USAJOBS for Physical Science Student Trainee postings should also review these sibling occupations, since federal hiring managers often cross-post positions across closely related codes when recruitment is difficult. All figures here come directly from OPM FedScope Employment Cubes, the same official source referenced in federal workforce planning, budget justifications, and GAO reports.

Inside the Physical Sciences Group family (25 occupations, 32,337 employees combined), Physical Science Student Trainee holds the #17 spot by headcount, a 0.8% share of the family total.