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 2

Eric Campbell

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$236,332

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $106,334
Overtime: $85,478
Other pay: $44,520
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $236,332
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: 5421139723017
Salary Total: $8,857
Total Pay: $236,332

Eric Campbell works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Eric earned $236,332 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Sean Preader

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,915

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $104,114
Overtime: $91,249
Other pay: $40,552
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,915
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Butte
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422119723007
Salary Total: $8,845
Total Pay: $235,915

Sean Preader is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $235,915. Union affiliation: R08.

Andrew Giampaoli

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,821

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $115,412
Overtime: $73,501
Other pay: $46,908
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,821
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,907
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424019723027
Salary Total: $9,057
Total Pay: $235,821

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Andrew Giampaoli serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $235,821. They are represented by R08.

David Hudson

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$235,722

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $89,067
Overtime: $91,111
Other pay: $55,544
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,722
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,074
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420299723005
Salary Total: $7,719
Total Pay: $235,722

David Hudson works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. David earned $235,722 in 2023. They are represented by R08.

James Sullins

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$235,487

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $90,236
Overtime: $91,895
Other pay: $53,356
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,487
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,690
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423149723093
Salary Total: $9,101
Total Pay: $235,487

James Sullins is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $235,487. Union affiliation: R08.

Joshua Spaid

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,202

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $102,863
Overtime: $89,660
Other pay: $42,679
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,202
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423139723097
Salary Total: $8,930
Total Pay: $235,202

Joshua Spaid is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $235,202. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Tomas Bolyard

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,177

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $109,460
Overtime: $79,963
Other pay: $45,754
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,177
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424199723605
Salary Total: $9,125
Total Pay: $235,177

Tomas Bolyard holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $235,177. Their bargaining unit is R08.

John Fredrick

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,139

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $109,483
Overtime: $83,063
Other pay: $42,593
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,139
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Calaveras
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424189723004
Salary Total: $9,125
Total Pay: $235,139

John Fredrick holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $235,139. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Corado Reginatto

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$235,130

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $113,072
Overtime: $74,855
Other pay: $47,203
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $235,130
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5422139723009
Salary Total: $9,482
Total Pay: $235,130

Corado Reginatto is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $235,130. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Alex Paul

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$234,905

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $111,617
Overtime: $79,924
Other pay: $43,364
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $234,905
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424019723009
Salary Total: $9,393
Total Pay: $234,905

Alex Paul holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $234,905. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Matthew Stark

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$234,788

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $98,738
Overtime: $97,448
Other pay: $38,601
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $234,788
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Napa
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,483
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723016
Salary Total: $8,421
Total Pay: $234,788

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Matthew Stark serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $234,788. Union affiliation: R08.

Mark Scoville Ii

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2023 total comp

$234,692

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $97,092
Overtime: $77,589
Other pay: $60,012
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $234,692
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,447
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723004
Salary Total: $8,118
Total Pay: $234,692

Mark Scoville Ii works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Mark earned $234,692 in 2023. Union affiliation: R08.

Timothy Voigt

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$233,846

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $94,893
Overtime: $82,952
Other pay: $56,001
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $233,846
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723625
Salary Total: $9,210
Total Pay: $233,846

Timothy Voigt works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Timothy earned $233,846 in 2024. They are represented by R08.

Jeremy Brant

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$233,685

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $99,034
Overtime: $76,607
Other pay: $58,045
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $233,685
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Ventura
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423439723001
Salary Total: $9,646
Total Pay: $233,685

Jeremy Brant is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $233,685. Their bargaining unit is R08.

David Rodriguez

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2024 total comp

$232,905

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $98,712
Overtime: $76,312
Other pay: $57,882
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,905
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,712
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723095
Salary Total: $9,472
Total Pay: $232,905

At Forestry and Fire Protection, David Rodriguez serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $232,905. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Zachry Lunsford

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$232,835

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $97,656
Overtime: $95,074
Other pay: $40,105
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,835
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Napa
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723021
Salary Total: $8,430
Total Pay: $232,835

At Forestry and Fire Protection, Zachry Lunsford serves as a Battalion Chief within Forestry. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $232,835. Union affiliation: R08.

Travis Rye

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$232,727

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $99,034
Overtime: $94,990
Other pay: $38,704
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,727
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723618
Salary Total: $8,592
Total Pay: $232,727

Travis Rye is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $232,727. They are represented by R08.

Mark Abeloe

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$232,518

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $106,334
Overtime: $84,745
Other pay: $41,439
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,518
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: El Dorado
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424179723002
Salary Total: $8,857
Total Pay: $232,518

Mark Abeloe works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Mark earned $232,518 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Mike Ballinger

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$232,259

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $115,259
Overtime: $72,266
Other pay: $44,734
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,259
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5423129723907
Salary Total: $9,660
Total Pay: $232,259

Mike Ballinger works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Mike earned $232,259 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R08.

Tony Aston

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$232,109

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $113,423
Overtime: $74,218
Other pay: $44,469
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $232,109
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Napa
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5421149723008
Salary Total: $9,482
Total Pay: $232,109

Tony Aston works as a Battalion Chief for Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. Tony earned $232,109 in 2025. Union affiliation: R08.

Matthew Drum

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$231,774

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $94,969
Overtime: $99,598
Other pay: $37,206
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $231,774
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Tulare
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,078
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5424169723070
Salary Total: $8,026
Total Pay: $231,774

Matthew Drum is a Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $231,774. Union affiliation: R08.

Joshua Shifrin

Battalion Chief/Forestry and Fire Protection

2025 total comp

$231,319

Sub-department: Forestry
Base pay: $110,886
Overtime: $76,978
Other pay: $43,456
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $231,319
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R08
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,930
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5420359723009
Salary Total: $9,303
Total Pay: $231,319

Joshua Shifrin holds the role of Battalion Chief at Forestry and Fire Protection within Forestry. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $231,319. They are represented by R08.