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 5

Ronald Firnrohr Jr

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2023 total comp

$148,287

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $18,546
Other pay: $129,741
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,287
Hourly rate: $46
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Ronald Firnrohr Jr is a Battalion Chief, Fire at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $148,287.

Darin Peterburs

Deputy Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2023 total comp

$148,214

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $20,265
Other pay: $127,948
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,214
Hourly rate: $48
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Darin Peterburs holds the role of Deputy Chief, Fire at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $148,214.

Christopher Lucas

Fire Lieutenant X/Fire Operations Bureau

2019 total comp

$148,175

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $44,282
Other pay: $103,893
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,175
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, Christopher Lucas serves as a Fire Lieutenant X. They work full-time. Their 2019 pay totaled $148,175.

Joshua Lang

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2020 total comp

$148,024

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $47,088
Other pay: $100,936
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,024
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 122.14
Job Code: 2421F

Joshua Lang is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2020 total compensation came to $148,024.

Antonio Bertoni

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,950

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $40,557
Other pay: $107,393
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,950
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Antonio Bertoni holds the role of Heavy Equipment Operator Z at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,950.

Robert Vester

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,823

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $12,748
Other pay: $135,076
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,823
Hourly rate: $44
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 72.81
Job Code: 2424F

At Fire Operations Bureau, Robert Vester serves as a Fire Captain. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $147,823.

Thomas Sells

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2022 total comp

$147,806

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,779
Other pay: $117,027
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,806
Hourly rate: $41
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 802.05
Job Code: 2424F

Thomas Sells holds the role of Fire Captain at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2022, their total compensation was $147,806.

Christopher Vogt

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,667

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,110
Other pay: $119,556
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,667
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, Christopher Vogt serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $147,667.

Victor Izquierdo

Fire Lieutenant X/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,537

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $21,866
Other pay: $125,671
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,537
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, Victor Izquierdo serves as a Fire Lieutenant X. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $147,537.

Kendria Donaldson

Fire Lieutenant Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,266

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $24,992
Other pay: $122,274
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,266
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 502.13
Job Code: 2421YF

Kendria Donaldson holds the role of Fire Lieutenant Y at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,266.

Otis Frazier

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$147,010

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $40,006
Other pay: $107,004
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,010
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 458.63
Job Code: 1572ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Otis Frazier serves as a Heavy Equipment Operator Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $147,010.

Anthony Rueda

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,932

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,535
Other pay: $116,396
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,932
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 385.47
Job Code: 2421F

Anthony Rueda is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,932.

William Kowalski

Deputy Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2022 total comp

$146,882

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $13,595
Other pay: $133,287
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,882
Hourly rate: $48
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

William Kowalski is a Deputy Chief, Fire at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2022 total compensation came to $146,882.

Christopher Dehli

Fire Captain Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,878

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $21,148
Other pay: $125,729
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,878
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Christopher Dehli works as a Fire Captain Z for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Christopher earned $146,878 in 2025.

Domenic Bergemann

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,686

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $34,380
Other pay: $112,307
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,686
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Domenic Bergemann is a Heavy Equipment Operator at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,686.

Nicholas Fetzer

Fire Lieutenant Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,536

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,841
Other pay: $117,695
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,536
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 323.97
Job Code: 2421ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Nicholas Fetzer serves as a Fire Lieutenant Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,536.

Joseph Zych

Fire Lieutenant Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,478

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $34,724
Other pay: $111,754
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,478
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 374.48
Job Code: 2421ZF

Joseph Zych is a Fire Lieutenant Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,478.

Jonah Rodriguez

Fire Paramedic Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,237

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $38,576
Other pay: $107,661
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,237
Hourly rate: $33
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 941.32
Job Code: 2415YF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Jonah Rodriguez serves as a Fire Paramedic Y. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,237.

Kyle Cleary

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$146,146

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $36,378
Other pay: $109,768
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,146
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Kyle Cleary is a Heavy Equipment Operator at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,146.

William Kowalski

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2020 total comp

$145,797

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $28,549
Other pay: $117,248
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,797
Hourly rate: $42
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, William Kowalski serves as a Battalion Chief, Fire. They work full-time. Their 2020 pay totaled $145,797.

John Michalak Jr

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$145,769

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $33,022
Other pay: $112,747
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,769
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

John Michalak Jr works as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. John earned $145,769 in 2025.

Anthony Jacobs

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2019 total comp

$145,434

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $49,062
Other pay: $96,372
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,434
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Anthony Jacobs works as a Fire Lieutenant for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Anthony earned $145,434 in 2019.

Sean Slowey

Battalion Chief, Fire/Fire Operations Bureau

2021 total comp

$144,321

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $144,321
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,321
Hourly rate: $43
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0
Job Code: 2425F
Termination Date: Dec 10, 2021
Vacation Payout: $25,727

Sean Slowey works as a Battalion Chief, Fire for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Sean earned $144,321 in 2021.

Nathan Rebholz

Fire Lieutenant Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,957

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,265
Other pay: $113,692
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,957
Hourly rate: $37
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,045.31
Job Code: 2421ZF

Nathan Rebholz is a Fire Lieutenant Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,957.

Sandra Ciganek

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,944

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $24,691
Other pay: $119,253
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,944
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, Sandra Ciganek serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $143,944.

Joseph Miller

Heavy Equipment Operator Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,766

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $34,935
Other pay: $108,831
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,766
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 154.52
Job Code: 1572YF

Joseph Miller works as a Heavy Equipment Operator Y for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Joseph earned $143,766 in 2025.

Fred Schneider Jr

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,649

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $24,099
Other pay: $119,551
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,649
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Fred Schneider Jr is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,649.

Markez Prewitt

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,516

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $36,425
Other pay: $107,090
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,516
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Markez Prewitt is a Heavy Equipment Operator Z at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,516.

Nicholas Poliak

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2021 total comp

$143,513

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $43,792
Other pay: $99,721
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,513
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 917.27
Job Code: 2421F

Nicholas Poliak works as a Fire Lieutenant for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Nicholas earned $143,513 in 2021.

Brett Metzen

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,398

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $30,709
Other pay: $112,690
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,398
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 525.04
Job Code: 1572F

Brett Metzen holds the role of Heavy Equipment Operator at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $143,398.

Colin Thomas

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$143,095

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $11,319
Other pay: $131,776
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,095
Hourly rate: $41
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,461.74
Job Code: 2424F

Colin Thomas holds the role of Fire Captain at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $143,095.

Edward Nevins Iv

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$142,719

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $23,501
Other pay: $119,218
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,719
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 0.00
Job Code: 2421F
Termination Date: Dec 25, 2025

Edward Nevins Iv works as a Fire Lieutenant for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Edward earned $142,719 in 2025.

Brian Merkel

Heavy Equipment Operator Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$142,453

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $34,877
Other pay: $107,576
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,453
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 313.86
Job Code: 1572ZF

At Fire Operations Bureau, Brian Merkel serves as a Heavy Equipment Operator Z. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $142,453.

Darin Peterburs

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2019 total comp

$142,435

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $38,241
Other pay: $104,194
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,435
Hourly rate: $38
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 1,397.85
Job Code: 2424F

Darin Peterburs works as a Fire Captain for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Darin earned $142,435 in 2019.

Brian Anderson

Heavy Equipment Operator/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$142,217

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $29,338
Other pay: $112,878
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,217
Hourly rate: $36
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Brian Anderson is a Heavy Equipment Operator at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $142,217.

Joshua Fisher

Heavy Equipment Operator Y/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$141,861

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $27,718
Other pay: $114,144
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,861
Hourly rate: $35
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

At Fire Operations Bureau, Joshua Fisher serves as a Heavy Equipment Operator Y. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $141,861.

Jeffrey Collum

Fire Captain/Fire Operations Bureau

2024 total comp

$141,839

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $15,845
Other pay: $125,994
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,839
Hourly rate: $41
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

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

Jeffrey Collum works as a Fire Captain for Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. Jeffrey earned $141,839 in 2024.

Lamont Anderson

Firefighter Z/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$141,802

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $46,861
Other pay: $94,941
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,802
Hourly rate: $33
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 159.16
Job Code: 2412ZF

Lamont Anderson holds the role of Firefighter Z at Fire Operations Bureau. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $141,802.

Darryl Rheams

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$141,665

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $21,489
Other pay: $120,176
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,665
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 354.41
Job Code: 2421F

Darryl Rheams is a Fire Lieutenant at Fire Operations Bureau. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $141,665.

John Zaworski

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Operations Bureau

2025 total comp

$141,525

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $22,526
Other pay: $118,998
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,525
Hourly rate: $39
Employment type: Full-Time

Source-specific fields

Agency Code: 3281
Comp Time: 2,640.41
Job Code: 2421F

At Fire Operations Bureau, John Zaworski serves as a Fire Lieutenant. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $141,525.