City of Milwaukee / Fire Operations Bureau

Agency file

Fire Operations Bureau

Source file: City of Milwaukee — Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 19, 2026

The Fire Operations Bureau provides fire protection and emergency response, including prevention, inspection, rescue, and medical aid.

In 2025, this agency had 799 employees with median total compensation of $112,100; the highest distinct record was $283,980.

Year: 2025
Employees: 799
Median total: $112,100
Highest record: $283,980

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$379$204,924+

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 799 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($112,100) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $0 (0%)
Overtime — $17,073 (16%)
Other — $91,288 (84%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$42,540

$78,977

$112,100

$136,048

$165,008

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $165,008 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $42,540. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

227 · $75,624

149 · $91,590

76 · $110,667

57 · $142,719

Heavy Equipment Operator

52 · $131,706

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 4

Mitchell Gawin

Fire Lieutenant Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$157,430

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $54,682
Other pay: $102,748
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,430
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Mitchell Gawin serves as a Fire Lieutenant Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $157,430.

Joseph Flick

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$157,404

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $32,037
Other pay: $125,367
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,404
Hourly rate: $41
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2424F

Joseph Flick holds the role of Fire Captain at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $157,404.

Matthew Byrge

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$156,978

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $42,775
Other pay: $114,203
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,978
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,763.41
Job Code: 1572F

Matthew Byrge works as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Matthew earned $156,978 in 2025.

Schuyler Belott

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2020 total comp

$156,754

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $39,370
Other pay: $117,383
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,754
Hourly rate: $42
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2425F

Schuyler Belott holds the role of Battalion Chief, Fire at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2020, their total compensation was $156,754.

Steven Klinko

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$156,150

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $48,006
Other pay: $108,144
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,150
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 1572ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Steven Klinko serves as a Heavy Equipment Operator Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $156,150.

John Johnson

Firefighter/Fire Operations Bureau

2023 total comp

$156,137

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $66,034
Other pay: $90,103
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,137
Hourly rate: $32
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0
Job Code: 2412F

John Johnson holds the role of Firefighter at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $156,137.

Peter Silvis

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$155,619

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $48,451
Other pay: $107,168
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,619
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 144.21
Job Code: 1572ZF

Peter Silvis is a Heavy Equipment Operator Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $155,619.

Justin Mills

Fire Paramedic Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$155,423

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $45,822
Other pay: $109,601
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,423
Hourly rate: $33
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 165.81
Job Code: 2415YF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Justin Mills serves as a Fire Paramedic Y. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $155,423.

Jason Leistiko

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$155,417

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $21,684
Other pay: $133,733
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,417
Hourly rate: $44
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2424F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Jason Leistiko serves as a Fire Captain. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $155,417.

Patrick Stolzman

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$155,233

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $25,574
Other pay: $129,659
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,233
Hourly rate: $43
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,173.53
Job Code: 2424F

Patrick Stolzman holds the role of Fire Captain at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $155,233.

De'Wayne Smoots

Deputy Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2021 total comp

$155,032

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,706
Other pay: $126,326
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,032
Hourly rate: $45
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0
Job Code: 2427F

De'Wayne Smoots works as a Deputy Chief, Fire for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. De'Wayne earned $155,032 in 2021.

Matthew Austen

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$154,797

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $42,617
Other pay: $112,179
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,797
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 413.99
Job Code: 1572F

Matthew Austen is a Heavy Equipment Operator at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $154,797.

James Horne

Firefighter/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$154,306

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $47,298
Other pay: $107,008
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,306
Hourly rate: $34
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2412F

James Horne works as a Firefighter for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. James earned $154,306 in 2025.

Bryan Oby

Firefighter Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$154,165

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $54,214
Other pay: $99,952
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,165
Hourly rate: $33
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2412ZF

Bryan Oby works as a Firefighter Z for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Bryan earned $154,165 in 2025.

Steven Pickett

Fire Lieutenant Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$154,065

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,544
Other pay: $125,521
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,065
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 2,470.59
Job Code: 2421YF

Steven Pickett is a Fire Lieutenant Y at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $154,065.

Elyse Penegor

Fire Lieutenant Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$154,016

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $43,769
Other pay: $110,247
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,016
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421ZF

Elyse Penegor works as a Fire Lieutenant Z for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Elyse earned $154,016 in 2025.

Jeffrey Ledvorowski

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$153,691

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $31,544
Other pay: $122,147
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,691
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421F

Jeffrey Ledvorowski holds the role of Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $153,691.

David Seager Jr

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2022 total comp

$153,335

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $31,602
Other pay: $121,734
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,335
Hourly rate: $43
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0
Job Code: 2425F

David Seager Jr holds the role of Battalion Chief, Fire at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2022, their total compensation was $153,335.

Matthew Kneesel

Firefighter/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$153,236

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $44,918
Other pay: $108,318
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,236
Hourly rate: $34
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2412F

Matthew Kneesel holds the role of Firefighter at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $153,236.

Michael Thurow

Fire Captain Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,989

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,217
Other pay: $124,772
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,989
Hourly rate: $43
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 190.89
Job Code: 2424ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Michael Thurow serves as a Fire Captain Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,989.

Zachary Hennessy

Fire Lieutenant Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,727

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $29,420
Other pay: $123,307
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,727
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,943.16
Job Code: 2421YF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Zachary Hennessy serves as a Fire Lieutenant Y. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,727.

John Brunner

Firefighter/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,576

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $43,634
Other pay: $108,942
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,576
Hourly rate: $34
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 522.84
Job Code: 2412F

John Brunner is a Firefighter at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $152,576.

Patrick Lemberger

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,566

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $43,368
Other pay: $109,198
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,566
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 1572ZF

Patrick Lemberger is a Heavy Equipment Operator Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $152,566.

Carl Carstens

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,317

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $39,493
Other pay: $112,824
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,317
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 99.44
Job Code: 1572F

Carl Carstens works as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Carl earned $152,317 in 2025.

Ryan Gaeth

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$152,288

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $32,668
Other pay: $119,619
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,288
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 3,426.82
Job Code: 2421F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Ryan Gaeth serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,288.

Daniel Keller

Firefighter/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$151,843

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $41,259
Other pay: $110,584
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,843
Hourly rate: $34
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2412F

Daniel Keller works as a Firefighter for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Daniel earned $151,843 in 2025.

Lloyd Ellis

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$151,793

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,097
Other pay: $121,696
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,793
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 4,587.03
Job Code: 2421F

Lloyd Ellis holds the role of Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $151,793.

Joshua Wilde

Fire Captain Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$151,076

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $17,713
Other pay: $133,363
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,076
Hourly rate: $43
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,404.85
Job Code: 2424ZF

Joshua Wilde is a Fire Captain Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $151,076.

David Czajkowski

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$150,901

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $31,538
Other pay: $119,363
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,901
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421F

David Czajkowski is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $150,901.

Joseph Franz

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$150,370

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $15,003
Other pay: $135,367
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,370
Hourly rate: $44
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2424F

Joseph Franz holds the role of Fire Captain at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,370.

Troy Carlson

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$150,194

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $29,470
Other pay: $120,725
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,194
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Troy Carlson serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $150,194.

Wayne Kelly Jr

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$149,820

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $40,685
Other pay: $109,135
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,820
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 1572ZF

Wayne Kelly Jr holds the role of Heavy Equipment Operator Z at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,820.

Conrad Foth

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$149,733

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,296
Other pay: $119,437
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,733
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 508.66
Job Code: 2421F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Conrad Foth serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $149,733.

Daniel Felzer

Heavy Equipment Operator X/Fire Operations Bureau

2019 total comp

$149,556

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $53,931
Other pay: $95,625
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,556
Hourly rate: $33
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 1572XF

Daniel Felzer holds the role of Heavy Equipment Operator X at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2019, their total compensation was $149,556.

Brett Volk

Fire Lieutenant Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$149,491

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $23,758
Other pay: $125,734
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,491
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421YF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Brett Volk serves as a Fire Lieutenant Y. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $149,491.

Jake Meach

Heavy Equipment Operator Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$149,296

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $35,649
Other pay: $113,647
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,296
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 208.36
Job Code: 1572YF

Jake Meach is a Heavy Equipment Operator Y at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $149,296.

Scott Michaels

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$148,854

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $29,949
Other pay: $118,905
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,854
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,505.94
Job Code: 2421F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Scott Michaels serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $148,854.

Matthew Williamson

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2021 total comp

$148,799

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,317
Other pay: $118,482
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,799
Hourly rate: $42
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0
Job Code: 2425F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Matthew Williamson serves as a Battalion Chief, Fire. They work full-time. Their 2021 pay totaled $148,799.

Jason Liebherr

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$148,484

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $12,192
Other pay: $136,291
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,484
Hourly rate: $44
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2424F
Sick Payout: $14,738
Termination Date: Sep 27, 2025
Vacation Payout: $12,544

Jason Liebherr works as a Fire Captain for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Jason earned $148,484 in 2025.

Nicholas Gooding

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$148,355

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $27,461
Other pay: $120,894
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,355
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421F

Nicholas Gooding is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $148,355.