At about four years i made up the lost wages, but I also heavily invested in my TSP as a contractor (and now a fed) so i just put less into my TSP for three years. The life/work balance is much better, SACs leave you alone as long as you are producing, you can actually use your PTO when you want to include summer and holidays, and you will be earning a pension. You will also find a lot of “you have to do this because DCSA requires it” to be BS from the contracting companies.
I had offers to join the Feds before i finally jumped and now kick myself for waiting. The initial pay cut was worth it.
You might be able to join as a GS9 - you will have to pass a test and meet the GS9 standards but DCSA finally caved and are letting contractors come in at the next level. Sadly, the rules are supposed to let us join at the appropriate level we held as contractors but from what i was told - too many contractors came over at the higher level and just couldn’t do the work.