California / Forestry and Fire Protection / Battalion Chief

Job-title file

Battalion Chief

Lead staff and operations — set priorities, allocate resources, and oversee program delivery.

704 employees hold this title in Forestry and Fire Protection. Median total compensation for the role is $203,633, above the department median of $111,787.

Employees: 704
Total payroll: $140.3M
Role median: $203,633
Agency median: $111,787
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$401$330,611+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 704 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Battalion Chief pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — about 8,170 people — is $127,630. Forestry and Fire Protection pays a median base salary of $104,628 for this role, 18% below that figure — about the 29th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Forestry and Fire Protection sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$80,910

$100,450

$127,630

$169,380

$204,160

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $104,628

The bar is the range of annual wages for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers across every employer in California, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Forestry and Fire Protection’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — about 99,140 people — is $93,530. Forestry and Fire Protection’s median base salary is 12% above that national figure, about the 61st percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$53,430

$72,140

$93,530

$119,500

$140,010

Forestry and Fire Protection median · $104,628

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the California range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 636 of 704 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Forestry and Fire Protection is $203,633, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Battalion Chief beyond California

This role is reported in 7 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $203,633 ranks #3 of 7. See Battalion Chief across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$422,208 · 26

$231,236 · 390

$186,894 · 30

$186,594 · 5

City of Salt Lake City

$143,802 · 21

City of Pittsburgh

$31,480 · 18

Median total compensation for comparable Battalion Chiefroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 3

Louis Lucier

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$188,116

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $89,594
Overtime: $44,342
Other pay: $54,180
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $188,116
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,691
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421139723006
Salary Total: $8,841
Total Pay: $188,116

Louis Lucier is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $188,116. Union affiliation: R08.

Jedediah Skrobecky

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$187,745

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $103,362
Overtime: $44,078
Other pay: $40,304
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,745
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Calaveras
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424189723003
Salary Total: $8,930
Total Pay: $187,745

Jedediah Skrobecky works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Jedediah earned $187,745 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

John Schnaidt

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$187,082

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $114,432
Overtime: $27,828
Other pay: $44,822
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $187,082
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5425229723007
Salary Total: $9,421
Total Pay: $187,082

At Forestry and Fire Protection, John Schnaidt serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $187,082. Union affiliation: R08.

Sean Jerry

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,978

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $111,428
Overtime: $35,393
Other pay: $40,157
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,978
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Solano
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723007
Salary Total: $9,393
Total Pay: $186,978

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Sean Jerry serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $186,978. Union affiliation: R08.

Samuel Filson

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$186,800

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,372
Overtime: $41,924
Other pay: $52,505
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,800
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421179723609
Salary Total: $8,862
Total Pay: $186,800

Samuel Filson is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $186,800. They are represented by R08.

Derek Evans

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,675

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $108,526
Overtime: $35,885
Other pay: $42,264
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,675
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: El Dorado
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424179723077
Salary Total: $9,458
Total Pay: $186,675

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Derek Evans serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $186,675. Union affiliation: R08.

Paul Selegue

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,636

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $105,696
Overtime: $39,939
Other pay: $41,001
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,636
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420359723001
Salary Total: $9,184
Total Pay: $186,636

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Paul Selegue serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $186,636. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Jeremy Loyd

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,436

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $96,548
Overtime: $52,120
Other pay: $37,769
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,436
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,530
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424119723001
Salary Total: $8,467
Total Pay: $186,436

Jeremy Loyd holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $186,436. Union affiliation: R08.

Peter Avansino

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,270

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $100,179
Overtime: $46,911
Other pay: $39,180
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,270
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Lake
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,574
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723001
Salary Total: $8,510
Total Pay: $186,270

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Peter Avansino serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $186,270. Union affiliation: R08.

Michael Urbani

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$186,020

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $104,938
Overtime: $40,212
Other pay: $40,870
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $186,020
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421179723604
Salary Total: $8,845
Total Pay: $186,020

Michael Urbani is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $186,020. They are represented by R08.

Bradley Niven

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$185,851

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $112,632
Overtime: $29,724
Other pay: $43,494
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,851
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Tuolumne
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424349723001
Salary Total: $9,393
Total Pay: $185,851

Bradley Niven holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $185,851. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Marcus Dunlap

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$185,825

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $96,968
Overtime: $50,376
Other pay: $38,481
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,825
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,236
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423169723005
Salary Total: $8,427
Total Pay: $185,825

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Marcus Dunlap serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $185,825. Union affiliation: R08.

Matthew Houston

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$185,763

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $98,772
Overtime: $48,384
Other pay: $38,607
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,763
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Siskiyou
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,482
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422149723007
Salary Total: $8,674
Total Pay: $185,763

Matthew Houston is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $185,763. Union affiliation: R08.

Gabriel Trull

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$185,388

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,218
Overtime: $36,522
Other pay: $56,648
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,388
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422139723013
Salary Total: $7,747
Total Pay: $185,388

Gabriel Trull holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $185,388. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Brian White

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$185,066

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $108,437
Overtime: $34,441
Other pay: $42,187
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $185,066
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420299723503
Salary Total: $9,125
Total Pay: $185,066

Brian White is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $185,066. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Michael Conaty

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$184,700

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $111,627
Overtime: $29,718
Other pay: $43,355
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $184,700
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422119723602
Salary Total: $9,458
Total Pay: $184,700

Michael Conaty is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $184,700. They are represented by R08.

Michael Aiello

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$184,639

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $108,960
Overtime: $33,587
Other pay: $42,092
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $184,639
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420359723004
Salary Total: $9,125
Total Pay: $184,639

Michael Aiello holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $184,639. They are represented by R08.

Jehremy Hagardorn

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$184,498

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $93,669
Overtime: $54,100
Other pay: $36,728
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $184,498
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420619723018
Salary Total: $8,026
Total Pay: $184,498

Jehremy Hagardorn works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Jehremy earned $184,498 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Thomas Kluge

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$184,065

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $115,523
Overtime: $21,075
Other pay: $47,468
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $184,065
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5425229723003
Salary Total: $9,600
Total Pay: $184,065

Thomas Kluge holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $184,065. Their bargaining unit is R08.

John Gaddie

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$183,883

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $109,749
Overtime: $30,846
Other pay: $43,288
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,883
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422119723605
Salary Total: $9,214
Total Pay: $183,883

John Gaddie is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $183,883. They are represented by R08.

Paul Kordzikowski

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$183,878

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,372
Overtime: $37,495
Other pay: $54,011
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,878
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Tehama
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422159723015
Salary Total: $8,862
Total Pay: $183,878

Paul Kordzikowski works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Paul earned $183,878 in 2024. They are represented by R08.

Nicholas Garcia

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$183,700

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $105,757
Overtime: $33,566
Other pay: $44,377
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,700
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Lassen
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422129723018
Salary Total: $9,280
Total Pay: $183,700

Nicholas Garcia is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $183,700. They are represented by R08.

Alberto Ramirez

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$183,530

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $106,937
Overtime: $30,685
Other pay: $45,908
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,530
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420619723009
Salary Total: $9,369
Total Pay: $183,530

Alberto Ramirez works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Alberto earned $183,530 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Shaun Fairbanks

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$183,527

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $96,192
Overtime: $27,855
Other pay: $59,480
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,527
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Mariposa
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424149723001
Salary Total: $8,118
Total Pay: $183,527

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Shaun Fairbanks serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $183,527. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Mark Rotlisberger

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$183,466

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $95,606
Overtime: $28,736
Other pay: $59,124
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,466
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Lassen
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422129723017
Salary Total: $8,044
Total Pay: $183,466

Mark Rotlisberger works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Mark earned $183,466 in 2023. Union affiliation: R08.

Justin Chaplin

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$183,055

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,498
Overtime: $37,318
Other pay: $53,239
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $183,055
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Merced
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,074
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424149723624
Salary Total: $7,436
Total Pay: $183,055

Justin Chaplin is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $183,055. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Michael Gil

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$182,792

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $95,505
Overtime: $49,922
Other pay: $37,365
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $182,792
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421169723601
Salary Total: $8,026
Total Pay: $182,792

Michael Gil works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $182,792 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Ryan Smith

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$182,521

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $107,827
Overtime: $34,028
Other pay: $40,666
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $182,521
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420299723006
Salary Total: $9,280
Total Pay: $182,521

Ryan Smith works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Ryan earned $182,521 in 2025. They are represented by R08.

Kenneth Meinke

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$182,445

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $109,066
Overtime: $28,679
Other pay: $44,701
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $182,445
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,482
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723001
Salary Total: $9,457
Total Pay: $182,445

Kenneth Meinke holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $182,445. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Thomas Headley

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$181,955

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $103,287
Overtime: $38,376
Other pay: $40,292
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,955
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420689723013
Salary Total: $8,857
Total Pay: $181,955

Thomas Headley works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Thomas earned $181,955 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Kevin Lindo

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$181,703

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $111,407
Overtime: $26,638
Other pay: $43,658
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,703
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5440639723008
Salary Total: $9,303
Total Pay: $181,703

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Kevin Lindo serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $181,703. Their bargaining unit is R08.