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 28

Jonathan Abbott

Conservation Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$49,766

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $24,363
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,238
Benefits: $23,165
Total compensation: $49,766

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jonathan Abbott is a Conservation Officer II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2017 total compensation came to $49,766.

Rhonda Jensen

Office Specialist II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$49,622

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $28,741
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,051
Benefits: $18,831
Total compensation: $49,622

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Rhonda Jensen serves as a Office Specialist II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $49,622.

Samuel Schoppe

Journey Heavy Equipment Operator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$49,618

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,058
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $893
Benefits: $22,667
Total compensation: $49,618

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Samuel Schoppe works as a Journey Heavy Equipment Operator for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Samuel earned $49,618 in 2019.

Jordan Lewis

Automotive Assistant/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$49,538

Sub-department: DNR Natural Resources Administration
Base pay: $30,950
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $18,087
Total compensation: $49,538

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jordan Lewis works as a Automotive Assistant for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Natural Resources Administration. Jordan earned $49,538 in 2019.

Jonah Womack

Park Ranger II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$49,240

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,720
Benefits: $16,010
Total compensation: $49,240

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jonah Womack holds the role of Park Ranger II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $49,240.

Brett Branin

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,882

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $15,901
Overtime: $17,383
Other pay: $1,028
Benefits: $14,571
Total compensation: $48,882

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Brett Branin works as a Fire Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Brett earned $48,882 in 2019.

James Christensen

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$48,860

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $25,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,918
Benefits: $20,960
Total compensation: $48,860

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

James Christensen works as a Wildlife Biologist II for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. James earned $48,860 in 2017.

Coral O Riley

Park Ranger II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,607

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,600
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,550
Benefits: $16,458
Total compensation: $48,607

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Coral O Riley serves as a Park Ranger II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $48,607.

Suzanne Steab

Engineering Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,507

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $27,702
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $20,805
Total compensation: $48,507

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Suzanne Steab is a Engineering Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. 2019 total compensation came to $48,507.

Thomas Smart

Information Technician/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,422

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $33,370
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $331
Benefits: $14,721
Total compensation: $48,422

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Thomas Smart serves as a Information Technician within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $48,422.

Michael Durfey

Wildlife Biologist II/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$48,351

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $28,061
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $303
Benefits: $19,987
Total compensation: $48,351

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Durfey works as a Wildlife Biologist II for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Michael earned $48,351 in 2017.

Edward Vidmar

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

2019 total comp

$48,067

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $20,663
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,753
Benefits: $10,652
Total compensation: $48,067

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Edward Vidmar works as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Exempt for Department of Natural Resources within Restricted Special Revenue. Edward earned $48,067 in 2019.

Rachel Loftus

Engineer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,060

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $33,044
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $15,016
Total compensation: $48,060

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Rachel Loftus is a Engineer II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2019 total compensation came to $48,060.

Susan Odekirk

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$48,009

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $29,432
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $36
Benefits: $18,540
Total compensation: $48,009

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Susan Odekirk serves as a Engineer III within Dnr Water Rights. Their 2019 pay totaled $48,009.

Randy Ryan

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$47,973

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,941
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,059
Benefits: $19,973
Total compensation: $47,973

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Randy Ryan works as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Randy earned $47,973 in 2017.

Ben Anderson

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,923

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $29,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $70
Benefits: $18,558
Total compensation: $47,923

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ben Anderson is a Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2019 total compensation came to $47,923.

Carolyn Williams

Office Technician II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,921

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $29,432
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $18,489
Total compensation: $47,921

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Carolyn Williams is a Office Technician II at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. 2019 total compensation came to $47,921.

Daniel Allen

Forester I/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$47,844

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,035
Overtime: $1,460
Other pay: $87
Benefits: $20,263
Total compensation: $47,844

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Daniel Allen works as a Forester I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Daniel earned $47,844 in 2017.

Anita Candelaria

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$47,808

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,312
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,122
Benefits: $20,374
Total compensation: $47,808

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Anita Candelaria holds the role of Accounting Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2017, their total compensation was $47,808.

Kathy Smith

Office Clerk III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,755

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $25,023
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $22,733
Total compensation: $47,755

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kathy Smith holds the role of Office Clerk III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. In 2019, their total compensation was $47,755.

Steven Jeffs

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$47,705

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $34,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,136
Benefits: $12,272
Total compensation: $47,705

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Steven Jeffs serves as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2018 pay totaled $47,705.

Jeffery Cowlishaw Jr

Wildlife Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,512

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $23,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,803
Benefits: $22,217
Total compensation: $47,512

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jeffery Cowlishaw Jr is a Wildlife Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $47,512.

Chase Pili

Park Manager I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,450

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $24,494
Overtime: $2,087
Other pay: $1,420
Benefits: $19,449
Total compensation: $47,450

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Chase Pili serves as a Park Manager I, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $47,450.

Andrew Dutson

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$47,350

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $28,848
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $36
Benefits: $18,466
Total compensation: $47,350

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Andrew Dutson holds the role of Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $47,350.

Rudy Sandoval

Fire Technician IV/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$47,001

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $25,608
Overtime: $1,650
Other pay: $1,827
Benefits: $17,915
Total compensation: $47,001

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Rudy Sandoval is a Fire Technician IV at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $47,001.

Michael Jensen

Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$46,961

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $25,950
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,254
Benefits: $18,757
Total compensation: $46,961

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Michael Jensen serves as a Journey Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $46,961.

Nicole Dennison

Office Specialist I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$46,916

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $29,480
Overtime: $75
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $17,360
Total compensation: $46,916

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Nicole Dennison works as a Office Specialist I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Nicole earned $46,916 in 2018.

Eric Jones

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$46,722

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $28,329
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $171
Benefits: $18,222
Total compensation: $46,722

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Eric Jones serves as a Engineer III within Dnr Water Rights. Their 2019 pay totaled $46,722.

Michael Thomas

Outreach Programs Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$46,633

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,644
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,570
Benefits: $18,419
Total compensation: $46,633

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Thomas holds the role of Outreach Programs Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $46,633.

Justin Roach

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$46,518

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $16,556
Overtime: $17,854
Other pay: $1,059
Benefits: $11,049
Total compensation: $46,518

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Justin Roach works as a Fire Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Justin earned $46,518 in 2019.

Jeri Burhorn-Politte

Accounting Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$46,460

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $24,496
Overtime: $320
Other pay: $1,584
Benefits: $20,059
Total compensation: $46,460

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jeri Burhorn-Politte holds the role of Accounting Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $46,460.

Nicaela Haig

Information Technician/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$46,154

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $27,445
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,672
Benefits: $17,037
Total compensation: $46,154

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Nicaela Haig serves as a Information Technician within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2018 pay totaled $46,154.

Curtis Winn

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,932

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $25,846
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $807
Benefits: $19,279
Total compensation: $45,932

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Curtis Winn is a Wildlife Biologist III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $45,932.

Aaron Hunt

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,928

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $27,829
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $18,099
Total compensation: $45,928

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Aaron Hunt is a Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2019 total compensation came to $45,928.

Morgan Faulkner

Lands Coordinator, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,888

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $30,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $451
Benefits: $15,412
Total compensation: $45,888

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Morgan Faulkner serves as a Lands Coordinator, Dnr within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $45,888.

Harold Swasey

Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$45,479

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $26,369
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,233
Benefits: $14,877
Total compensation: $45,479

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Harold Swasey serves as a Lead Maintenance/Construction Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2017 pay totaled $45,479.

Jason Whittaker

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$45,396

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $23,155
Overtime: $80
Other pay: $876
Benefits: $21,285
Total compensation: $45,396

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Whittaker is a Park Manager II, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2018 total compensation came to $45,396.

Randall Thacker

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,389

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $25,864
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,030
Benefits: $17,494
Total compensation: $45,389

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Randall Thacker is a Wildlife Program Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $45,389.

Matthew Pfeifer

Fire Technician I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,310

Sub-department: DNR Forestry, Fire & State Lands
Base pay: $18,757
Overtime: $21,923
Other pay: $1,126
Benefits: $3,504
Total compensation: $45,310

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Matthew Pfeifer works as a Fire Technician I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Forestry, Fire & State Lands. Matthew earned $45,310 in 2019.

Gary Brimley

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$45,281

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $27,544
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $17,737
Total compensation: $45,281

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Gary Brimley holds the role of Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. In 2019, their total compensation was $45,281.