Salary and Compensation
ATF Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) use the General Schedule (GS) pay scale for criminal investigators in the 1801 job series. The Office of Personnel Management regularly reviews job requirements along with salaries and updates the GS scale on an annual basis. All qualified applicants must meet the basic job requirements of a GS grade 5 Industry Operations Investigator to be eligible for hiring.
Base Salary Range
Based on their qualifications, newly hired IOIs start anywhere between GS grade 5, step 1 and GS grade 9, step 10.
In 2024, this includes a base salary range of $33,878 to $66,731 before locality pay. OPM updates its pay scales each year to reflect cost of living increases.
Locality Pay
All ATF duty stations qualify for locality pay. Employees receive an additional percentage of their base salary (16% to 41%) depending on their location.
Foreign Language Award Program
ATF’s Foreign Language Award Program offers cash awards to qualified employees who speak one or more foreign languages and make substantial use of them when performing their official duties.
Promotion Potential
Over the course of their career, IOIs may be promoted up to GS grade 13. In 2024, this includes a base salary of $88,520 to $115,079 before locality pay. Promotions are performance-based and must receive supervisory approval.
Benefits
Annual and Sick Leave
Annual leave (or vacation time) is earned at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of federal service. Employees can save up a maximum of 240 hours of annual leave.
Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year, and it does not include a maximum limit.
All federal holidays are paid days off. Employees who have to work during federal holidays receive premium pay.
Health and Life Insurance
ATF employees are able to choose from a variety of low cost health insurance plans through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. This includes a wide range of vision and dental insurance plans are available to employees through the Federal Employees Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP).
New employees are automatically enrolled in Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), and can choose to waive or increase their life insurance coverage.
Physical Fitness
ATF is committed to supporting the health, physical fitness and well-being of its employees through the Health Improvement Program (HIP). Employees can take up to 3 hours per week as excused absence from work for regular workouts, fitness classes and other exercise activities. Employees stationed at ATF Headquarters can also take advantage of the building’s state-of-the-art fitness center.
Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness
ATF is aware of the potential stresses that may impact employees at work and at home. All employees and their household members have access to first-class, comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services through Business Health Services (BHS). These services are free, confidential and available 24/7, including counseling and problem resolution sessions, childcare/eldercare referrals, and other work-life services.
Retirement
All new federal employees hired on or after January 1, 2014, are automatically enrolled in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS-FRAE) program. This three-tiered retirement plan combines a federal retirement annuity, social security and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is similar to a 401(k) plan. TSP supports both traditional (tax-deferred) and Roth (tax-exempt) contributions.
Eligibility is based on a person’s minimum retirement age (MRA) and their number of creditable years of federal service. When employees meet the federal retirement requirements, they may be eligible for an immediate voluntary retirement.
Retirement Requirements
• Minimum retirement age with 30 years of creditable federal service or
• Age 60 with 20 years of creditable service or
• Age 62 with 5 years of creditable service
