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

Tyrell Orme

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$59,601

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $533
Benefits: $25,633
Total compensation: $59,601

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Tyrell Orme serves as a Wildlife Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $59,601.

Melinda Higham

Office Specialist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$59,467

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $37,723
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $648
Benefits: $21,097
Total compensation: $59,467

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Melinda Higham serves as a Office Specialist II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $59,467.

Michael Jewett

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$59,371

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $17,001
Overtime: $18,605
Other pay: $926
Benefits: $22,840
Total compensation: $59,371

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Jewett works as a Fire Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Michael earned $59,371 in 2017.

Christian Berninger

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$59,301

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $20,575
Overtime: $21,261
Other pay: $562
Benefits: $16,903
Total compensation: $59,301

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Christian Berninger is a Fire Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $59,301.

Kadell Deason

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$59,276

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $21,269
Overtime: $16,895
Other pay: $1,260
Benefits: $19,852
Total compensation: $59,276

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Kadell Deason serves as a Fire Technician II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2018 pay totaled $59,276.

Chase Prince

Building/Grounds Supervisor II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$59,210

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,672
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,845
Benefits: $25,693
Total compensation: $59,210

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Chase Prince is a Building/Grounds Supervisor II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $59,210.

Eric Dixon

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$59,207

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,258
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,675
Benefits: $21,274
Total compensation: $59,207

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Eric Dixon serves as a Engineer III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2018 pay totaled $59,207.

Channing Howard

Wildlife Biologist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$59,066

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $37,550
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,152
Benefits: $20,364
Total compensation: $59,066

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Channing Howard serves as a Wildlife Biologist I within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $59,066.

Thomas Hughes

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,889

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,546
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,760
Benefits: $20,583
Total compensation: $58,889

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Thomas Hughes holds the role of Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $58,889.

Nicole Mahleres

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,874

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $29,727
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $669
Benefits: $28,478
Total compensation: $58,874

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Nicole Mahleres works as a Accounting Technician III for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Nicole earned $58,874 in 2019.

Zachary Ahrens

Wildlife Biologist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,778

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $34,681
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $930
Benefits: $23,167
Total compensation: $58,778

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Zachary Ahrens serves as a Wildlife Biologist I within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $58,778.

Blain Stilson

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,607

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $35,212
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,282
Benefits: $21,114
Total compensation: $58,607

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Blain Stilson is a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $58,607.

Rachel Medina

Audit Technician/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,551

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $28,760
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $29,791
Total compensation: $58,551

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Rachel Medina is a Audit Technician at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. 2019 total compensation came to $58,551.

Mark Hadley

Technical Writer/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,475

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $31,407
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,090
Benefits: $21,978
Total compensation: $58,475

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Mark Hadley holds the role of Technical Writer at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $58,475.

Wade Snyder

Forestry/Fire Statewide Program Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,424

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $31,618
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,546
Benefits: $24,261
Total compensation: $58,424

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Wade Snyder works as a Forestry/Fire Statewide Program Coordinator for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Wade earned $58,424 in 2019.

Nicholas Yeiter

Engineering Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,404

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $38,496
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $95
Benefits: $19,813
Total compensation: $58,404

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Nicholas Yeiter serves as a Engineering Technician II within Dnr Water Rights. Their 2019 pay totaled $58,404.

Jared Cook

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,326

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,118
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $263
Benefits: $27,945
Total compensation: $58,326

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jared Cook works as a Wildlife Specialist for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jared earned $58,326 in 2019.

David Shearer

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$58,322

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $36,460
Overtime: $137
Other pay: $956
Benefits: $20,770
Total compensation: $58,322

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, David Shearer serves as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Dnr Parks & Recreation. Their 2018 pay totaled $58,322.

Penny Berry

Engineering Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,239

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $36,691
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $21,548
Total compensation: $58,239

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Penny Berry works as a Engineering Technician II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Penny earned $58,239 in 2019.

Nicole Dennison

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$58,185

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $36,839
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $21,347
Total compensation: $58,185

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Nicole Dennison serves as a Accounting Technician III within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2019 pay totaled $58,185.

Kadell Deason

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$58,024

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $18,221
Overtime: $21,013
Other pay: $825
Benefits: $17,965
Total compensation: $58,024

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kadell Deason holds the role of Fire Technician I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2017, their total compensation was $58,024.

Julie Carter

Legal Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,722

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $36,691
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $21,031
Total compensation: $57,722

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Julie Carter holds the role of Legal Secretary at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. In 2019, their total compensation was $57,722.

Jack Dudding

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,625

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $37,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,230
Benefits: $19,159
Total compensation: $57,625

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jack Dudding holds the role of Wildlife Biologist II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $57,625.

David Ketron

Wildlife Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$57,569

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $29,245
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,876
Benefits: $25,448
Total compensation: $57,569

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

David Ketron holds the role of Wildlife Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2018, their total compensation was $57,569.

Pamela Martin

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,544

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $36,130
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $297
Benefits: $21,117
Total compensation: $57,544

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Pamela Martin serves as a Accounting Technician III within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $57,544.

Scott Nielson

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$57,461

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $21,427
Overtime: $14,440
Other pay: $2,647
Benefits: $18,948
Total compensation: $57,461

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Scott Nielson is a Fire Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2017 total compensation came to $57,461.

Jonathan Hunt

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,426

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,873
Overtime: $3,993
Other pay: $863
Benefits: $25,696
Total compensation: $57,426

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jonathan Hunt works as a Park Manager II, Post for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jonathan earned $57,426 in 2019.

Ryan Arthur

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,326

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $29,865
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $765
Benefits: $26,696
Total compensation: $57,326

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ryan Arthur is a Wildlife Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $57,326.

Sydnee Johnson

Park Ranger I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,224

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,247
Overtime: $1,799
Other pay: $1,033
Benefits: $21,145
Total compensation: $57,224

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Sydnee Johnson holds the role of Park Ranger I, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $57,224.

Travis Wright

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,183

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $32,119
Overtime: $417
Other pay: $843
Benefits: $23,805
Total compensation: $57,183

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Travis Wright serves as a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2019 pay totaled $57,183.

Holly Ivie

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,164

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $28,141
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,444
Benefits: $26,579
Total compensation: $57,164

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Holly Ivie works as a Wildlife Specialist for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Holly earned $57,164 in 2019.

Sandra Grow

Office Specialist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,102

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,071
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,190
Benefits: $25,841
Total compensation: $57,102

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Sandra Grow holds the role of Office Specialist II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $57,102.

Ashley Soliz

Office Specialist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$57,068

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $36,067
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $21,000
Total compensation: $57,068

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ashley Soliz holds the role of Office Specialist I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. In 2019, their total compensation was $57,068.

Kriss Garcia

Wildlife Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$56,962

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $28,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,618
Benefits: $25,303
Total compensation: $56,962

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kriss Garcia holds the role of Wildlife Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $56,962.

Deanna Strohm

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$56,913

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $35,543
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,671
Benefits: $18,699
Total compensation: $56,913

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Deanna Strohm serves as a Wildlife Biologist II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2018 pay totaled $56,913.

Ron Larsen

Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$56,827

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $29,949
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,099
Benefits: $24,779
Total compensation: $56,827

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ron Larsen is a Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $56,827.

Carla Johnson

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$56,743

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $30,867
Overtime: $239
Other pay: $119
Benefits: $25,518
Total compensation: $56,743

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Carla Johnson works as a Executive Secretary for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Carla earned $56,743 in 2019.

Kevin Valcarce

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$56,586

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $25,782
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $99
Benefits: $30,705
Total compensation: $56,586

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kevin Valcarce holds the role of Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. In 2018, their total compensation was $56,586.

Ronald Cox

Engineering Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$56,501

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $32,339
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $24,162
Total compensation: $56,501

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ronald Cox works as a Engineering Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Ronald earned $56,501 in 2019.

Gary Christensen

Wildlife Biologist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$56,124

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $27,754
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,409
Benefits: $24,961
Total compensation: $56,124

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Gary Christensen holds the role of Wildlife Biologist I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $56,124.