Utah / Department of Natural Resources

Agency file

Department of Natural Resources

Source file: Transparent Utah — State Government Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

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

In 2019, this agency had 2,717 employees with median total compensation of $12,045; the highest distinct record was $209,496.

Year: 2019
Total payroll: $103.2M
Employees: 2,717
Median total: $12,045
Highest record: $209,496

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

-$727$144,158+

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

How 2019 total compensation is spread across the 2,717 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($12,045) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $22,123 (58%)
Overtime — $967 (3%)
Other — $1,158 (3%)
Benefits — $13,724 (36%)

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

$1,454

$3,567

$12,045

$72,540

$105,372

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $105,372 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $1,454. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Park Ranger Aide

336 · $4,059

Park Ranger Aide

201 · $2,250

Wildlife Technician I

185 · $5,220

Wildlife Technician I

144 · $3,620

Groundskeeper I

93 · $3,287

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
2017	$96.4M —	2,541 —	$12,362 —
2018	$101.9M ▲ 5.8%	2,685 ▲ 5.7%	$12,981 ▲ 5.0%
2019	$103.2M ▲ 1.2%	2,717 ▲ 1.2%	$12,045 ▼ 7.2%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Leslie Mcfarlane

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$29,431

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $17,841
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $126
Benefits: $11,465
Total compensation: $29,431

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Leslie Mcfarlane holds the role of Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2017, their total compensation was $29,431.

Michelle Wall

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$29,374

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $15,206
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $14,168
Total compensation: $29,374

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michelle Wall works as a Executive Secretary for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Michelle earned $29,374 in 2019.

April Mckeon

Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Non-Exempt/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$29,271

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $3,023
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $23,968
Benefits: $2,279
Total compensation: $29,271

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, April Mckeon serves as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Non-Exempt within Restricted Special Revenue. Their 2019 pay totaled $29,271.

Richard Staffeldt

Wildlife Biologist I/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$29,269

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $17,483
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,575
Benefits: $10,211
Total compensation: $29,269

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Richard Staffeldt works as a Wildlife Biologist I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Richard earned $29,269 in 2017.

Melinda Russo

Park Ranger II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$29,129

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $14,498
Overtime: $123
Other pay: $1,329
Benefits: $13,180
Total compensation: $29,129

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Melinda Russo serves as a Park Ranger II, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2017 pay totaled $29,129.

Travis Wright

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$28,899

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $18,297
Overtime: $6,167
Other pay: $2,189
Benefits: $2,246
Total compensation: $28,899

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Travis Wright holds the role of Fire Technician I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. In 2018, their total compensation was $28,899.

Travis Unrein

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,896

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $11,149
Overtime: $15,509
Other pay: $6
Benefits: $2,232
Total compensation: $28,896

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Travis Unrein is a Fire Technician I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. 2019 total compensation came to $28,896.

Stephanie Carney

Project Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$28,789

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $17,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $200
Benefits: $11,318
Total compensation: $28,789

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Stephanie Carney serves as a Project Geologist within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. Their 2017 pay totaled $28,789.

Daniel Summers

Assistant Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,627

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $17,376
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $304
Benefits: $10,948
Total compensation: $28,627

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Daniel Summers is a Assistant Wildlife Program Chief at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $28,627.

Sonia Nava

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$28,613

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $15,047
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $120
Benefits: $13,446
Total compensation: $28,613

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Sonia Nava is a Executive Secretary at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2018 total compensation came to $28,613.

Caleb Bledsoe

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,525

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $11,041
Overtime: $15,173
Other pay: $108
Benefits: $2,204
Total compensation: $28,525

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Caleb Bledsoe serves as a Fire Technician I within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2019 pay totaled $28,525.

Michael Abbott

Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,455

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $15,430
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,115
Benefits: $11,910
Total compensation: $28,455

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Abbott holds the role of Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. In 2019, their total compensation was $28,455.

Jason Tull

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$28,455

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $16,032
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $984
Benefits: $11,439
Total compensation: $28,455

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Tull works as a Wildlife Coordinator for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jason earned $28,455 in 2017.

Faith Jolley

Technical Writer/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,395

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $16,513
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $488
Benefits: $11,395
Total compensation: $28,395

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Faith Jolley is a Technical Writer at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $28,395.

Frederic Johnson

Forestry/Fire Program Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$28,333

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $16,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $189
Benefits: $11,946
Total compensation: $28,333

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Frederic Johnson is a Forestry/Fire Program Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $28,333.

Preston Osland

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,180

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $10,899
Overtime: $15,099
Other pay: $5
Benefits: $2,177
Total compensation: $28,180

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Preston Osland serves as a Fire Technician I within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2019 pay totaled $28,180.

Ryan Palsgrove

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$28,158

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $17,047
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,198
Benefits: $9,913
Total compensation: $28,158

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Ryan Palsgrove serves as a Wildlife Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $28,158.

Anthony Santora

Park Manager I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$27,764

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $13,569
Overtime: $1,286
Other pay: $1,403
Benefits: $11,506
Total compensation: $27,764

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Anthony Santora is a Park Manager I, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. 2017 total compensation came to $27,764.

Chad Bywater

Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,722

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $14,871
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $393
Benefits: $12,459
Total compensation: $27,722

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Chad Bywater serves as a Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $27,722.

Benjamin Meraz

Assistant Park Manager, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,720

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $15,258
Overtime: $99
Other pay: $305
Benefits: $12,058
Total compensation: $27,720

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Benjamin Meraz holds the role of Assistant Park Manager, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $27,720.

Trenton Duke

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,371

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $13,446
Overtime: $9,591
Other pay: $2,208
Benefits: $2,125
Total compensation: $27,371

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Trenton Duke works as a Fire Technician II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Trenton earned $27,371 in 2019.

Morgan Williams

Building/Grounds Supervisor II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,246

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $14,030
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,716
Benefits: $11,500
Total compensation: $27,246

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Morgan Williams is a Building/Grounds Supervisor II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $27,246.

R Keach Ii

State Geologist/Director, Utah Geological Survey/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,232

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $18,560
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $174
Benefits: $8,498
Total compensation: $27,232

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

R Keach Ii works as a State Geologist/Director, Utah Geological Survey for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. R earned $27,232 in 2019.

Laurie Backus

Park Manager III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,147

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $14,244
Overtime: $427
Other pay: $855
Benefits: $11,621
Total compensation: $27,147

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Laurie Backus serves as a Park Manager III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $27,147.

Daniel Swasey

Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Non-Exempt/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$27,098

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $3,619
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,277
Benefits: $3,202
Total compensation: $27,098

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Daniel Swasey works as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Non-Exempt for Department of Natural Resources within Restricted Special Revenue. Daniel earned $27,098 in 2018.

Whitney Norton

Administrative Assistant/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$27,081

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $16,610
Overtime: $562
Other pay: $696
Benefits: $9,213
Total compensation: $27,081

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Whitney Norton serves as a Administrative Assistant within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2018 pay totaled $27,081.

Brion Terry

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,072

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $12,549
Overtime: $1,102
Other pay: $2,127
Benefits: $11,295
Total compensation: $27,072

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Brion Terry works as a Fire Technician III for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Brion earned $27,072 in 2019.

Todd Nebeker

Building/Grounds Supervisor II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$27,018

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $15,907
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $536
Benefits: $10,574
Total compensation: $27,018

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Todd Nebeker holds the role of Building/Grounds Supervisor II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $27,018.

Kory Lilga

Conservation Officer I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,937

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $13,684
Overtime: $224
Other pay: $978
Benefits: $12,052
Total compensation: $26,937

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Kory Lilga serves as a Conservation Officer I within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $26,937.

Andrew Dutson

Engineering Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,894

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $16,844
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $10,050
Total compensation: $26,894

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Andrew Dutson holds the role of Engineering Manager II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $26,894.

Stuart Bagley

Wildlife Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,889

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $22,694
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,101
Benefits: $2,093
Total compensation: $26,889

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Stuart Bagley holds the role of Wildlife Technician I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $26,889.

Joshua Carver

Sergeant, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$26,819

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $13,670
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,004
Benefits: $12,146
Total compensation: $26,819

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Joshua Carver is a Sergeant, Dnr at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2017 total compensation came to $26,819.

Ryan Josie

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$26,782

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $15,084
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26
Benefits: $11,672
Total compensation: $26,782

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ryan Josie holds the role of Wildlife Biologist III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2017, their total compensation was $26,782.

Ron Larsen

Building/Grounds Supervisor II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,674

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $14,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $284
Benefits: $11,581
Total compensation: $26,674

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ron Larsen works as a Building/Grounds Supervisor II for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Ron earned $26,674 in 2019.

Jeremy Spier

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,649

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $10,677
Overtime: $13,587
Other pay: $326
Benefits: $2,059
Total compensation: $26,649

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jeremy Spier works as a Fire Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Jeremy earned $26,649 in 2019.

Thomas Smart

Wildlife Licensing Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$26,613

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $18,747
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $175
Benefits: $7,691
Total compensation: $26,613

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Thomas Smart serves as a Wildlife Licensing Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2017 pay totaled $26,613.

Mcquae Anderson

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,514

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $11,190
Overtime: $10,498
Other pay: $2,774
Benefits: $2,053
Total compensation: $26,514

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Mcquae Anderson works as a Fire Technician II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Mcquae earned $26,514 in 2019.

Alexandra Montoya-Cipollone

Office Specialist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,504

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $19,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $7,304
Total compensation: $26,504

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Alexandra Montoya-Cipollone holds the role of Office Specialist II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $26,504.

Nicholas Giffin

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,487

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $17,411
Overtime: $3,788
Other pay: $3,230
Benefits: $2,057
Total compensation: $26,487

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Nicholas Giffin serves as a Fire Technician I within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2019 pay totaled $26,487.

Todd Miller

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$26,324

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $15,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $33
Benefits: $10,464
Total compensation: $26,324

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Todd Miller works as a Environmental Scientist III for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Todd earned $26,324 in 2019.