Texas / Parks and Wildlife Department

Agency file

Parks and Wildlife Department

Source file: Texas — State Employee Salaries (Texas Tribune) / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Parks and Wildlife Department protects natural resources and the environment — conservation, parks and wildlife, and environmental regulation.

In 2026, this agency had 3,257 employees with median total compensation of $64,469; the highest distinct record was $268,230.

Year: 2026
Total payroll: $230.3M
Employees: 3,257
Median total: $64,469
Highest record: $268,230

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$9,148$138,581+

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

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 3,257 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($64,469) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $70,695 (100%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $0 (0%)
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

$45,360

$51,293

$64,469

$85,989

$98,085

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $98,085 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $45,360. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Game Warden

378 · $89,789

Maintenance Specialist III

187 · $47,048

Customer Service Representative I

180 · $40,038

Natural Resources Specialist IV

95 · $81,322

Fish and Wildlife Technician II

93 · $54,576

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 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2025	$220.3M —	3,220 —	$63,741 —
2026	$230.3M ▲ 4.5%	3,257 ▲ 1.1%	$64,469 ▲ 1.1%

Compare

Similar departments

Departments elsewhere with the most similar mix of roles — a proxy for the same kind of agency, matched by workforce composition rather than name. Pay is not cost-of-living adjusted.

Soil and Water Conservation Board Texas47% match
Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Maine44% match

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Sara Schmidt

Project Manager IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$116,791

Base pay: $116,791
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,791
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1561
Hire Date: Nov 4, 2019
Monthly Pay: $9,733
State Employee Number: 1246112

Sara Schmidt is a Project Manager IV at Parks and Wildlife Department. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $116,791.

Jason Moore

Data Architect I/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$116,426

Base pay: $116,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,426
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 317
Hire Date: Jul 9, 2008
Monthly Pay: $9,702
State Employee Number: 76147

Jason Moore works as a Data Architect I for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Jason earned $116,426 in 2026.

Parameswari Radhakrishnan

Programmer V/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$116,143

Base pay: $116,143
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,143
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 245
Hire Date: Apr 18, 2016
Monthly Pay: $9,679
State Employee Number: 91892

Parameswari Radhakrishnan works as a Programmer V for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Parameswari earned $116,143 in 2026.

Tien Brown

Programmer V/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$116,143

Base pay: $116,143
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,143
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 245
Hire Date: Nov 1, 2008
Monthly Pay: $9,679
State Employee Number: 178931

Tien Brown is a Programmer V at Parks and Wildlife Department. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $116,143.

Arnoldo Montemayor

Manager V/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$116,055

Base pay: $116,055
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,055
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1604
Hire Date: Jul 10, 1995
Monthly Pay: $9,671
State Employee Number: 168484

Arnoldo Montemayor is a Manager V at Parks and Wildlife Department. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $116,055.

James Heaton

Project Manager IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,920

Base pay: $115,920
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,920
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1561
Hire Date: Mar 1, 2016
Monthly Pay: $9,660
State Employee Number: 959761

James Heaton works as a Project Manager IV for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. James earned $115,920 in 2026.

Andrew O'Neil

Project Manager IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,920

Base pay: $115,920
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,920
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1561
Hire Date: Jan 1, 2021
Monthly Pay: $9,660
State Employee Number: 1301490

Andrew O'Neil is a Project Manager IV at Parks and Wildlife Department. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $115,920.

Andrea Szigeti

Architect IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,875

Base pay: $115,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,875
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 2268
Hire Date: Apr 21, 2014
Monthly Pay: $9,656
State Employee Number: 742828

Andrea Szigeti works as a Architect IV for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Andrea earned $115,875 in 2026.

Natalie Welch

Architect IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,875

Base pay: $115,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,875
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 2268
Hire Date: Dec 1, 2023
Monthly Pay: $9,656
State Employee Number: 1683091

Natalie Welch holds the role of Architect IV at Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,875.

Scot Smith

Project Manager IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,466

Base pay: $115,466
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,466
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1561
Hire Date: May 16, 2016
Monthly Pay: $9,622
State Employee Number: 151476

Scot Smith holds the role of Project Manager IV at Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,466.

Lance Utermark

Architect IV/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$115,275

Base pay: $115,275
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,275
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 2268
Hire Date: May 24, 2021
Monthly Pay: $9,606
State Employee Number: 1402590

Lance Utermark holds the role of Architect IV at Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,275.

Emily Joslin

Government Relations Specialist III/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$113,752

Base pay: $113,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,752
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 1894
Hire Date: Feb 1, 2024
Monthly Pay: $9,479
State Employee Number: 1264397

Emily Joslin holds the role of Government Relations Specialist III at Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $113,752.

Carmen Rickel

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Apr 20, 2009
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 56554

Carmen Rickel holds the role of Lieutenant Game Warden at Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $112,938.

Travis Porter

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Jan 7, 2013
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 336117

Travis Porter works as a Lieutenant Game Warden for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Travis earned $112,938 in 2026.

Matthew Kilpatrick

Lieutenant State Park Police Officer/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9917
Hire Date: Jan 1, 2017
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 332123

At Parks and Wildlife Department, Matthew Kilpatrick serves as a Lieutenant State Park Police Officer. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $112,938.

Kirk Clendening

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: O

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Jan 1, 2011
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 3945

At Parks and Wildlife Department, Kirk Clendening serves as a Lieutenant Game Warden. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $112,938.

Kyle Allison

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Feb 1, 2012
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 97366

Kyle Allison is a Lieutenant Game Warden at Parks and Wildlife Department. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $112,938.

Jason Sims

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Feb 1, 2012
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 160366

Jason Sims works as a Lieutenant Game Warden for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Jason earned $112,938 in 2026.

Tyler Stoikes

Pilot Investigator II/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9906
Hire Date: Feb 1, 2012
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 186301

At Parks and Wildlife Department, Tyler Stoikes serves as a Pilot Investigator II. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $112,938.

Colton Thomas

Lieutenant Game Warden/Parks and Wildlife Department

2026 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,938
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 9991
Hire Date: Jan 21, 2013
Monthly Pay: $9,412
State Employee Number: 339219

Colton Thomas works as a Lieutenant Game Warden for Parks and Wildlife Department. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Colton earned $112,938 in 2026.