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 21

Patrick Buhr

Park Ranger I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,682

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,644
Overtime: $554
Other pay: $2,572
Benefits: $31,913
Total compensation: $68,682

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Patrick Buhr serves as a Park Ranger I, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $68,682.

Heather Talley

Wildlife Recreation Programs Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,676

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $39,870
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,878
Benefits: $23,929
Total compensation: $68,676

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Heather Talley is a Wildlife Recreation Programs Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $68,676.

Cheryl Gustin

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,650

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $36,358
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $200
Benefits: $32,092
Total compensation: $68,650

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Cheryl Gustin holds the role of Executive Secretary at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. In 2019, their total compensation was $68,650.

Blake Bingham

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$68,585

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $41,486
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,050
Benefits: $25,050
Total compensation: $68,585

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Blake Bingham serves as a Engineering Manager I within Dnr Water Rights. Their 2017 pay totaled $68,585.

Jesse Newton

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,493

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,170
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,376
Benefits: $30,948
Total compensation: $68,493

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jesse Newton holds the role of Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $68,493.

Candace Smith

Park Manager I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,411

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $34,815
Overtime: $328
Other pay: $2,733
Benefits: $30,535
Total compensation: $68,411

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Candace Smith serves as a Park Manager I, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $68,411.

Earl Duncombe

Instructor/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,406

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $39,204
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $766
Benefits: $28,437
Total compensation: $68,406

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Earl Duncombe serves as a Instructor within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $68,406.

Melissa Landeen

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,247

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $44,970
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,146
Benefits: $22,132
Total compensation: $68,247

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Melissa Landeen serves as a Wildlife Biologist III within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $68,247.

Steven Wolf

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,195

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,935
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $371
Benefits: $30,889
Total compensation: $68,195

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Steven Wolf serves as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $68,195.

Amanda Bagley

Office Specialist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,118

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $35,069
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $645
Benefits: $32,405
Total compensation: $68,118

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Amanda Bagley holds the role of Office Specialist I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $68,118.

Ashley Alvis

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$68,002

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $38,292
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $700
Benefits: $29,010
Total compensation: $68,002

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ashley Alvis is a Accounting Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. 2019 total compensation came to $68,002.

Jonathan Hudson

Wildlife Biologist I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,975

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,100
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,221
Benefits: $30,654
Total compensation: $67,975

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jonathan Hudson works as a Wildlife Biologist I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jonathan earned $67,975 in 2019.

Robert Middlemas

Building/Grounds Supervisor I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$67,900

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $42,922
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,238
Benefits: $23,741
Total compensation: $67,900

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Robert Middlemas is a Building/Grounds Supervisor I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $67,900.

Stuart Nelson

Assistant Golf Professional/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$67,890

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,274
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,411
Benefits: $23,205
Total compensation: $67,890

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Stuart Nelson is a Assistant Golf Professional at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $67,890.

Adam Kavalunas

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,850

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $42,873
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,113
Benefits: $23,864
Total compensation: $67,850

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Adam Kavalunas is a Wildlife Biologist II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $67,850.

David Ketron

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,823

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $38,141
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $898
Benefits: $28,784
Total compensation: $67,823

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

David Ketron holds the role of Wildlife Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $67,823.

Aaron Hall

Facilities Coordinator II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,781

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $36,357
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,696
Benefits: $28,728
Total compensation: $67,781

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Aaron Hall is a Facilities Coordinator II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $67,781.

Martha Jensen

Senior GIS Analyst/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,747

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $49,754
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $17,994
Total compensation: $67,747

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Martha Jensen holds the role of Senior GIS Analyst at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. In 2019, their total compensation was $67,747.

Charles Mood

Park Ranger II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,733

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $39,665
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $625
Benefits: $27,444
Total compensation: $67,733

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Charles Mood is a Park Ranger II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $67,733.

Marisa Egbert

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$67,632

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $41,786
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $147
Benefits: $25,699
Total compensation: $67,632

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Marisa Egbert is a Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2017 total compensation came to $67,632.

Jeffrey Priebe

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$67,595

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,707
Overtime: $12,881
Other pay: $2,235
Benefits: $21,772
Total compensation: $67,595

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jeffrey Priebe is a Fire Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $67,595.

Katherine Gibble

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,540

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $40,647
Overtime: $2,175
Other pay: $2,792
Benefits: $21,926
Total compensation: $67,540

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Katherine Gibble is a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $67,540.

Gage Hoogveldt

Park Ranger II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,521

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $39,048
Overtime: $1,990
Other pay: $1,462
Benefits: $25,021
Total compensation: $67,521

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Gage Hoogveldt serves as a Park Ranger II, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $67,521.

Kami Madsen

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,417

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,406
Overtime: $1,977
Other pay: $435
Benefits: $31,598
Total compensation: $67,417

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kami Madsen holds the role of Executive Secretary at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $67,417.

Tiffany Gonzales

Executive Secretary/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,261

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $35,053
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $32,208
Total compensation: $67,261

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Tiffany Gonzales holds the role of Executive Secretary at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $67,261.

Vicki Leetham

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,260

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $43,347
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $63
Benefits: $23,850
Total compensation: $67,260

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Vicki Leetham holds the role of Accounting Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $67,260.

Joshua Hansen

Assistant Park Manager, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$67,243

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,789
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,025
Benefits: $31,429
Total compensation: $67,243

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Joshua Hansen holds the role of Assistant Park Manager, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2018, their total compensation was $67,243.

Kyle Stone

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,209

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $42,715
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $690
Benefits: $23,804
Total compensation: $67,209

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kyle Stone works as a Wildlife Biologist II for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Kyle earned $67,209 in 2019.

Katherine Potter

Environmental Scientist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$67,153

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $39,280
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $246
Benefits: $27,626
Total compensation: $67,153

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Katherine Potter works as a Environmental Scientist II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Katherine earned $67,153 in 2019.

Jesse Trembly

Fire Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$67,104

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $21,649
Overtime: $23,024
Other pay: $1,358
Benefits: $21,073
Total compensation: $67,104

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jesse Trembly works as a Fire Technician II for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jesse earned $67,104 in 2017.

John Swasey

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

2018 total comp

$67,073

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $19,563
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $25,221
Benefits: $22,290
Total compensation: $67,073

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, John Swasey serves as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Exempt within Restricted Special Revenue. Their 2018 pay totaled $67,073.

Jason Murphy

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$67,023

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $35,780
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $298
Benefits: $30,945
Total compensation: $67,023

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Murphy works as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. Jason earned $67,023 in 2018.

Gary Howes

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$66,917

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $35,772
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $598
Benefits: $30,547
Total compensation: $66,917

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Gary Howes holds the role of Wildlife Biologist II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2018, their total compensation was $66,917.

Della Higham

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$66,908

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $43,444
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $198
Benefits: $23,266
Total compensation: $66,908

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Della Higham serves as a Accounting Technician III within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $66,908.

Jennifer Miller

Technical Writer/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$66,824

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $41,600
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $25,224
Total compensation: $66,824

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jennifer Miller works as a Technical Writer for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. Jennifer earned $66,824 in 2019.

Robert Edgel

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$66,823

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $41,606
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,214
Benefits: $23,003
Total compensation: $66,823

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Robert Edgel is a Wildlife Biologist II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $66,823.

Cody Edwards

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$66,725

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $42,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,235
Benefits: $22,342
Total compensation: $66,725

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Cody Edwards holds the role of Wildlife Biologist III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $66,725.

Eric Bradshaw

Assistant Park Manager, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$66,678

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $34,962
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,794
Benefits: $29,922
Total compensation: $66,678

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Eric Bradshaw holds the role of Assistant Park Manager, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2018, their total compensation was $66,678.

Shayne Ward

Information Specialist II/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$66,654

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $31,488
Overtime: $6,292
Other pay: $5,370
Benefits: $23,504
Total compensation: $66,654

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Shayne Ward serves as a Information Specialist II within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Their 2018 pay totaled $66,654.

Christopher Keleher

Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$66,579

Sub-department: DNR Species Protection
Base pay: $41,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $32
Benefits: $25,041
Total compensation: $66,579

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Christopher Keleher works as a Wildlife Program Chief for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Species Protection. Christopher earned $66,579 in 2018.