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
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+

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.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 3

Eric Edgley

GIS Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$136,741

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $82,486
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,294
Benefits: $50,961
Total compensation: $136,741

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Eric Edgley works as a GIS Manager for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Eric earned $136,741 in 2019.

Michael Drake

Engineering Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$136,181

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $87,589
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $42
Benefits: $48,550
Total compensation: $136,181

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Drake is a Engineering Manager II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2019 total compensation came to $136,181.

Craig Schaugaard

Assistant Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$135,827

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $82,644
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,493
Benefits: $50,690
Total compensation: $135,827

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Craig Schaugaard works as a Assistant Wildlife Program Chief for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Craig earned $135,827 in 2019.

Stephen Hansen

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$135,677

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $85,537
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $994
Benefits: $49,145
Total compensation: $135,677

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Stephen Hansen works as a Engineering Manager I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Stephen earned $135,677 in 2018.

Christopher Haller

Parks Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$135,490

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $79,971
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,510
Benefits: $53,008
Total compensation: $135,490

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Christopher Haller serves as a Parks Program Manager within Dnr Parks & Recreation. Their 2019 pay totaled $135,490.

Robert Biek

Geologic Program Manager/Senior Scientist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$135,275

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $81,978
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,609
Benefits: $47,688
Total compensation: $135,275

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Robert Biek is a Geologic Program Manager/Senior Scientist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $135,275.

Eric Ellis

Assistant Director, Policy and Planning - Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$135,037

Sub-department: DNR Natural Resources Administration
Base pay: $86,466
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $84
Benefits: $48,488
Total compensation: $135,037

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Eric Ellis serves as a Assistant Director, Policy and Planning - Dnr within Dnr Natural Resources Administration. Their 2019 pay totaled $135,037.

Craig Miller

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$134,642

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $95,530
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $92
Benefits: $39,020
Total compensation: $134,642

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Craig Miller is a Engineering Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $134,642.

Paul Thompson

Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$134,525

Sub-department: DNR Species Protection
Base pay: $83,666
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $50,859
Total compensation: $134,525

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Paul Thompson serves as a Wildlife Program Chief within Dnr Species Protection. Their 2019 pay totaled $134,525.

Cornell Christensen

Deputy Director, Forestry, Fire & State Lands/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$134,521

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $85,615
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $331
Benefits: $48,575
Total compensation: $134,521

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Cornell Christensen works as a Deputy Director, Forestry, Fire & State Lands for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Cornell earned $134,521 in 2019.

Nathan Schwebach

Public Information Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$134,472

Sub-department: DNR Natural Resources Administration
Base pay: $81,931
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,452
Benefits: $48,089
Total compensation: $134,472

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Nathan Schwebach serves as a Public Information Officer II within Dnr Natural Resources Administration. Their 2018 pay totaled $134,472.

Not Provided

Dnr Siu Investigator, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$134,468

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $71,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,145
Benefits: $60,337
Total compensation: $134,468

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Not Provided works as a Dnr Siu Investigator, Post for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Not earned $134,468 in 2019.

James Goddard

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$134,185

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $83,585
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $322
Benefits: $50,278
Total compensation: $134,185

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

James Goddard works as a Environmental Scientist III for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. James earned $134,185 in 2019.

Susan White

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$133,905

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $84,559
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,469
Benefits: $46,878
Total compensation: $133,905

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Susan White holds the role of Environmental Scientist III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $133,905.

Robin Goodman

Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$133,631

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $81,005
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,103
Benefits: $50,524
Total compensation: $133,631

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Robin Goodman holds the role of Wildlife Program Chief at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $133,631.

Blain Hamp

Forestry/Fire Program Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$133,606

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $61,746
Overtime: $18,327
Other pay: $4,224
Benefits: $49,309
Total compensation: $133,606

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Blain Hamp serves as a Forestry/Fire Program Manager II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $133,606.

Blake Bingham

Engineering Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$133,069

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $84,351
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $411
Benefits: $48,307
Total compensation: $133,069

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Blake Bingham works as a Engineering Manager II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Blake earned $133,069 in 2018.

Eric Dixon

Engineer IV/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$132,879

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $78,501
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,271
Benefits: $48,107
Total compensation: $132,879

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Eric Dixon serves as a Engineer IV within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $132,879.

Jason Curry

Deputy Fire Marshal/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$132,835

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $67,837
Overtime: $8,892
Other pay: $6,451
Benefits: $49,655
Total compensation: $132,835

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Curry is a Deputy Fire Marshal at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $132,835.

Paul Washburn

Lieutenant--Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$132,759

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $68,579
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,974
Benefits: $59,207
Total compensation: $132,759

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Paul Washburn holds the role of Lieutenant--Dnr at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $132,759.

Paul Baker

Environmental Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$132,217

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $81,717
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $784
Benefits: $49,716
Total compensation: $132,217

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Paul Baker holds the role of Environmental Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. In 2019, their total compensation was $132,217.

Jason Vernon

Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$132,008

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $80,168
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,041
Benefits: $49,799
Total compensation: $132,008

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Vernon is a Wildlife Program Chief at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $132,008.

Linda Braithwaite

Financial Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$131,584

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $83,814
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,213
Benefits: $46,557
Total compensation: $131,584

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Linda Braithwaite is a Financial Manager II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $131,584.

Brett Ostler

Forestry, Fire & Lands Administrator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$131,525

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $63,446
Overtime: $6,366
Other pay: $12,955
Benefits: $48,758
Total compensation: $131,525

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Brett Ostler is a Forestry, Fire & Lands Administrator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $131,525.

Robert Leake

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$131,146

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $85,978
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $497
Benefits: $44,671
Total compensation: $131,146

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Robert Leake works as a Engineering Manager I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Robert earned $131,146 in 2018.

Don Staley

Environmental Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$131,092

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $80,149
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,154
Benefits: $49,789
Total compensation: $131,092

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Don Staley works as a Environmental Manager for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Don earned $131,092 in 2019.

Shon Tripp

Park Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$130,758

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $71,562
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,330
Benefits: $55,866
Total compensation: $130,758

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Shon Tripp serves as a Park Manager II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $130,758.

Kenneth Johnson

Programs & Field Operations Administrator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$130,742

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $79,062
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,885
Benefits: $49,796
Total compensation: $130,742

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kenneth Johnson is a Programs & Field Operations Administrator at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $130,742.

Megan Blackwelder

Parks Regional Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$130,288

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $78,479
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,151
Benefits: $49,658
Total compensation: $130,288

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Megan Blackwelder is a Parks Regional Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $130,288.

Not Provided

Dnr Investigator, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$130,157

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $62,754
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,225
Benefits: $56,177
Total compensation: $130,157

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Not Provided serves as a Dnr Investigator, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $130,157.

Michael Melton

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$130,123

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $53,951
Overtime: $25,483
Other pay: $5,765
Benefits: $44,924
Total compensation: $130,123

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Michael Melton serves as a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $130,123.

David Beveridge

Lieutenant--Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$129,917

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $68,783
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,525
Benefits: $57,610
Total compensation: $129,917

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

David Beveridge works as a Lieutenant--Dnr for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. David earned $129,917 in 2019.

James Kirkland

Senior Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$129,564

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $78,176
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,330
Benefits: $49,059
Total compensation: $129,564

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, James Kirkland serves as a Senior Geologist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $129,564.

Marisa Egbert

Engineer IV/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$129,343

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $79,428
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $953
Benefits: $48,962
Total compensation: $129,343

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Marisa Egbert serves as a Engineer IV within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $129,343.

Teresa Wilhelmsen

Engineering Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$128,890

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $86,220
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,500
Benefits: $40,170
Total compensation: $128,890

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Teresa Wilhelmsen serves as a Engineering Manager II within Dnr Water Rights. Their 2018 pay totaled $128,890.

Thomas Upton

Financial Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$128,762

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $78,937
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $550
Benefits: $49,275
Total compensation: $128,762

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Thomas Upton holds the role of Financial Manager II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $128,762.

Kirk Forbush

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$128,674

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $88,855
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $98
Benefits: $39,720
Total compensation: $128,674

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kirk Forbush works as a Engineering Manager I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Kirk earned $128,674 in 2018.

Alan Spencer

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$128,516

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $65,995
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,435
Benefits: $58,086
Total compensation: $128,516

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Alan Spencer serves as a Park Manager II, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $128,516.

Craig Morgan

Geologic Program Manager/Senior Scientist/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$128,366

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $81,306
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $386
Benefits: $46,674
Total compensation: $128,366

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Craig Morgan serves as a Geologic Program Manager/Senior Scientist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2017 pay totaled $128,366.

William Atkin

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$128,200

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $81,133
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $32
Benefits: $47,035
Total compensation: $128,200

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

William Atkin is a Engineering Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2018 total compensation came to $128,200.