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

Sean Ketchum

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$201,164

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $101,057
Overtime: $60,663
Other pay: $39,444
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,164
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421169723016
Salary Total: $8,511
Total Pay: $201,164

Sean Ketchum is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $201,164. Union affiliation: R08.

Jeff Edson

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$201,145

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $89,256
Overtime: $59,069
Other pay: $52,820
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,145
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,276
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422439723001
Salary Total: $8,840
Total Pay: $201,145

Jeff Edson works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Jeff earned $201,145 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Jason Collins

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$201,115

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $110,246
Overtime: $48,053
Other pay: $42,815
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $201,115
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Siskiyou
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422149723005
Salary Total: $9,458
Total Pay: $201,115

Jason Collins holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $201,115. They are represented by R08.

Matthew Brown

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,967

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $96,916
Overtime: $64,534
Other pay: $39,517
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,967
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,079
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420089723008
Salary Total: $8,523
Total Pay: $200,967

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Matthew Brown serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $200,967. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Scott Kenney

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$200,878

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,239
Overtime: $53,655
Other pay: $54,984
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,878
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421179723009
Salary Total: $9,298
Total Pay: $200,878

Scott Kenney holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $200,878. They are represented by R08.

Shane Galvez

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,692

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $113,502
Overtime: $45,257
Other pay: $41,932
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,692
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5440639723013
Salary Total: $9,482
Total Pay: $200,692

Shane Galvez works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Shane earned $200,692 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Ryan Wallace

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,656

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $115,139
Overtime: $37,512
Other pay: $48,005
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,656
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424019723004
Salary Total: $9,303
Total Pay: $200,656

Ryan Wallace is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $200,656. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Daniel Twohy

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,252

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $105,182
Overtime: $51,033
Other pay: $44,037
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,252
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423149723111
Salary Total: $9,280
Total Pay: $200,252

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Daniel Twohy serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $200,252. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Bo Lee

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$200,225

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $93,974
Overtime: $47,976
Other pay: $58,274
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,225
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421119723011
Salary Total: $7,895
Total Pay: $200,225

Bo Lee holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $200,225. They are represented by R08.

Nicholas Giampaoli

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$200,223

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $87,525
Overtime: $60,809
Other pay: $51,888
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,223
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,276
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421169723017
Salary Total: $8,674
Total Pay: $200,223

Nicholas Giampaoli is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $200,223. Union affiliation: R08.

Thomas Lee

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,116

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $94,107
Overtime: $69,015
Other pay: $36,995
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,116
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,079
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420679723003
Salary Total: $8,177
Total Pay: $200,116

Thomas Lee holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $200,116. Union affiliation: R08.

Alex Elward

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$200,114

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $122,364
Overtime: $28,214
Other pay: $49,536
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $200,114
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423149723104
Salary Total: $9,421
Total Pay: $200,114

Alex Elward works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Alex earned $200,114 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Chet Swancey

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$199,994

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $115,469
Overtime: $38,128
Other pay: $46,397
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,994
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421019723003
Salary Total: $9,482
Total Pay: $199,994

Chet Swancey works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Chet earned $199,994 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Mark Hillskotter

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$199,836

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $112,369
Overtime: $39,799
Other pay: $47,668
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,836
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Lassen
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422129723017
Salary Total: $9,421
Total Pay: $199,836

Mark Hillskotter holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $199,836. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Brett Fucillo

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$199,658

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $106,942
Overtime: $51,091
Other pay: $41,625
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,658
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420299723016
Salary Total: $9,125
Total Pay: $199,658

Brett Fucillo works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Brett earned $199,658 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Jeremy Snyder

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$199,388

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $94,052
Overtime: $47,079
Other pay: $58,257
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,388
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423149723600
Salary Total: $8,044
Total Pay: $199,388

Jeremy Snyder is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $199,388. They are represented by R08.

Jeffrey Reyes

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$198,925

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $119,481
Overtime: $27,297
Other pay: $52,147
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,925
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Amador

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420299723007
Salary Total: $8,118
Total Pay: $198,925

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Jeffrey Reyes serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $198,925. Their bargaining unit is R08.

William Pickard

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$198,824

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $113,089
Overtime: $41,843
Other pay: $43,892
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,824
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421179723605
Salary Total: $9,482
Total Pay: $198,824

William Pickard is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $198,824. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Vincent Bergland

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$198,805

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $117,960
Overtime: $34,298
Other pay: $46,547
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,805
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421019723012
Salary Total: $9,660
Total Pay: $198,805

Vincent Bergland holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $198,805. They are represented by R08.

Ryan Isham

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$198,761

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $92,182
Overtime: $52,153
Other pay: $54,426
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,761
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Napa
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723014
Salary Total: $8,862
Total Pay: $198,761

Ryan Isham is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $198,761. Union affiliation: R08.

Donald Privett

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$198,661

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $108,969
Overtime: $47,332
Other pay: $42,360
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $198,661
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Napa
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723019
Salary Total: $9,458
Total Pay: $198,661

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Donald Privett serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $198,661. Union affiliation: R08.