Illinois / Natural Resources

Agency file

Natural Resources

Source file: Illinois — State Employee Pay / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Natural Resources protects natural resources and the environment — conservation, parks and wildlife, and environmental regulation.

In 2025, this agency had 854 employees with median total compensation of $77,000; the highest distinct record was $197,100.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $68.2M
Employees: 854
Median total: $77,000
Highest record: $197,100

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$100$150,100+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 854 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($77,000) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $0 (0%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $79,902 (100%)
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

$45,700

$59,200

$77,000

$100,300

$121,600

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $121,600 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $45,700. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Site Technician II

168 · $61,350

Conservation Police Officer I

105 · $95,000

Natural Resources Specialist

52 · $90,900

Public Service Administrator

45 · $108,400

Office Coordinator

37 · $56,800

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.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 3 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2023	$57.6M —	908 —	$62,800 —
2024	$64.6M ▲ 12.2%	879 ▼ 3.2%	$70,500 ▲ 12.3%
2025	$68.2M ▲ 5.6%	854 ▼ 2.8%	$77,000 ▲ 9.2%

Record list

Employees

Page 2

Seth Love

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,800

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,800
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Kendall

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

Seth Love holds the role of Natural Resources Specialist at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. In 2025, their total compensation was $83,800. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Nicholas Abell

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,500

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,500
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Jackson

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

Nicholas Abell works as a Natural Resources Specialist for Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. Nicholas earned $83,500 in 2025. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Zach Webb

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,300

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,300
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Schuyler

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

Zach Webb holds the role of Site Assistant Superintendent I at Natural Resources within Land Management - Regular Grf. In 2025, their total compensation was $83,300. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Dane Walls

Site Technician II/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,300

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,300
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Randolph

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,100
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Dane Walls serves as a Site Technician II within Land Management - Regular Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $83,300. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Brandon Damm

Public Information Officer III/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,200

Sub-department: General Office - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,200
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

Brandon Damm is a Public Information Officer III at Natural Resources within General Office - Grf. 2025 total compensation came to $83,200. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Nicholas Bumgarner

Ranger/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,200

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,200
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Coles

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: No
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $2,800
Rutan Exempt: No

Nicholas Bumgarner is a Ranger at Natural Resources within Land Management - Regular Grf. 2025 total compensation came to $83,200. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Paul Skoglund

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,200

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,200
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Richland

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,100
Rutan Exempt: No

Paul Skoglund holds the role of Natural Resources Specialist at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. In 2025, their total compensation was $83,200. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Jessica Fagg

Executive II/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,100

Sub-department: General Office - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,100
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Jessica Fagg serves as a Executive II within General Office - Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $83,100. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Tyler Shelly

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2024 total comp

$83,100

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,100
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Will

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $4,300
Rutan Exempt: No

Tyler Shelly is a Site Assistant Superintendent I at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. 2024 total compensation came to $83,100. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

James Mccarter

Conservation Police Officer I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,100

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,100
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: TRAINEE OC LIST
Period Pay Rate: $4,100
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, James Mccarter serves as a Conservation Police Officer I within Law Enforcement - Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $83,100. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Jacob Lux

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$83,100

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $83,100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,100
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Pike

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: PROB 6 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $3,100
Rutan Exempt: No

Jacob Lux is a Natural Resources Specialist at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. 2025 total compensation came to $83,100. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Cory Landon

Conservation Police Officer I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,900

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,900
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,900
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: TRAINEE OC LIST
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Cory Landon serves as a Conservation Police Officer I within Law Enforcement - Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,900. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Joshua Terry

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,700

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,700
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Fayette

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,300
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Joshua Terry serves as a Site Assistant Superintendent I within Land Management - Regular Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,700. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Drew Fehrenbacher

Site Superintendent III/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,600

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,600
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Franklin

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: No
Employment Status: PROB 4 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $4,000
Rutan Exempt: No

Drew Fehrenbacher works as a Site Superintendent III for Natural Resources within Land Management - Regular Grf. Drew earned $82,600 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Benjamin Williamson

Conservation Police Officer I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,500

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,500
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: TRAINEE OC LIST
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

Benjamin Williamson works as a Conservation Police Officer I for Natural Resources within Law Enforcement - Grf. Benjamin earned $82,500 in 2025. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Jonathan Schlesinger

Natural Resources Education Program Coordi/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,500

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,500
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Cook

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: PROB 6 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $3,500
Rutan Exempt: No

Jonathan Schlesinger holds the role of Natural Resources Education Program Coordi at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,500. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Jacob Gyore

Cons Grant Administrator II/Natural Resources

2024 total comp

$82,400

Sub-department: Mines & Minerals - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,400
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Franklin

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,700
Rutan Exempt: No

Jacob Gyore works as a Cons Grant Administrator II for Natural Resources within Mines & Minerals - Grf. Jacob earned $82,400 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Samuel Bloemer

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2023 total comp

$82,400

Sub-department: Urban Forestry-Fd
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,400
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Marion

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: No
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $8,200
Rutan Exempt: No

Samuel Bloemer works as a Natural Resources Specialist for Natural Resources within Urban Forestry-Fd. Samuel earned $82,400 in 2023. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Bryce Kopplin

Conservation Police Officer I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,300

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,300
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: TRAINEE OC LIST
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Bryce Kopplin serves as a Conservation Police Officer I within Law Enforcement - Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,300. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Richard Theisen

Site Assistant Superintendent II/Natural Resources

2024 total comp

$82,200

Sub-department: Regular - Pc
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,200
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Grundy

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: PROB 4 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

Richard Theisen is a Site Assistant Superintendent II at Natural Resources within Regular - Pc. 2024 total compensation came to $82,200. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Dean Moir

Conservation Police Officer I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,200

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,200
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: TRAINEE OC LIST
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

Dean Moir holds the role of Conservation Police Officer I at Natural Resources within Law Enforcement - Grf. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,200. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Kevin Schwaegel

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,000

Sub-department: Historic Sites - Tourism Promo - Coded
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,000
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Madison

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,500
Rutan Exempt: No

Kevin Schwaegel holds the role of Site Assistant Superintendent I at Natural Resources within Historic Sites - Tourism Promo - Coded. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,000. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

James Cowsert

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,000

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,000
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Hardin

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,600
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, James Cowsert serves as a Site Assistant Superintendent I within Land Management - Regular Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $82,000. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Kaler Houzenga

Administrative Assistant I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$82,000

Sub-department: Office of Realty & Capital Planning
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $82,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,000
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: PROB 4 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

Kaler Houzenga is a Administrative Assistant I at Natural Resources within Office of Realty & Capital Planning. 2025 total compensation came to $82,000. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Paul Gray

Public Service Administrator/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,800

Sub-department: Law Enforcement - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,800
Union / bargaining unit: Merit Compensation
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: No
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $1,000
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Paul Gray serves as a Public Service Administrator within Law Enforcement - Grf. Their 2025 pay totaled $81,800. Their bargaining unit is Merit Compensation.

Joshua Nickelson

Natural Resources Manager I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,700

Sub-department: Orc - Conserve 2000 Program
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,700
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Sangamon

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,500
Rutan Exempt: No

At Natural Resources, Joshua Nickelson serves as a Natural Resources Manager I within Orc - Conserve 2000 Program. Their 2025 pay totaled $81,700. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Chad Ingles

Natural Resource Technician II/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,500

Sub-department: Regular - W & F
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,500
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Mason

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,000
Rutan Exempt: No

Chad Ingles holds the role of Natural Resource Technician II at Natural Resources within Regular - W & F. In 2025, their total compensation was $81,500. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Caleb Palmer

Site Assistant Superintendent I/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,400

Sub-department: Land Management - Regular Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,400
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Tazewell

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,000
Rutan Exempt: No

Caleb Palmer is a Site Assistant Superintendent I at Natural Resources within Land Management - Regular Grf. 2025 total compensation came to $81,400. Their bargaining unit is Collective Bargaining.

Melissa Grycan

Natural Resources Specialist/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,400

Sub-department: Regular - Naa
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,400
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Lake

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $3,400
Rutan Exempt: No

Melissa Grycan holds the role of Natural Resources Specialist at Natural Resources within Regular - Naa. In 2025, their total compensation was $81,400. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Eric Roethe

Environmental Prot Engineer III/Natural Resources

2025 total comp

$81,400

Sub-department: Amlr Council
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $81,400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,400
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Franklin

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: PROB 6 MOS
Period Pay Rate: $3,800
Rutan Exempt: No

Eric Roethe holds the role of Environmental Prot Engineer III at Natural Resources within Amlr Council. In 2025, their total compensation was $81,400. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.