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 5

Laurie Backus

Parks Regional Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$120,962

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $65,364
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,137
Benefits: $53,461
Total compensation: $120,962

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Laurie Backus is a Parks Regional Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $120,962.

Christopher Haramoto

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$120,938

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $63,435
Overtime: $423
Other pay: $1,849
Benefits: $55,231
Total compensation: $120,938

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Christopher Haramoto holds the role of Park Manager II, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. In 2019, their total compensation was $120,938.

Darren Oloughlin

Fire Technician IV/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$120,538

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $46,151
Overtime: $24,061
Other pay: $7,982
Benefits: $42,344
Total compensation: $120,538

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Darren Oloughlin works as a Fire Technician IV for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Darren earned $120,538 in 2018.

Marc Stilson

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$120,522

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $76,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $233
Benefits: $43,800
Total compensation: $120,522

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Marc Stilson is a Engineering Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2018 total compensation came to $120,522.

Donald Clark

Senior Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$120,152

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $73,141
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,573
Benefits: $43,438
Total compensation: $120,152

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Donald Clark serves as a Senior Geologist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $120,152.

Nathan Moses

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$119,861

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $73,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,232
Benefits: $44,643
Total compensation: $119,861

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Nathan Moses works as a Engineering Manager I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Nathan earned $119,861 in 2018.

Preston Ley

Forestry/Fire Program Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$119,604

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $60,373
Overtime: $16,863
Other pay: $5,085
Benefits: $37,282
Total compensation: $119,604

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Preston Ley holds the role of Forestry/Fire Program Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $119,604.

J Rohrer

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$119,496

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $75,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $862
Benefits: $43,143
Total compensation: $119,496

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, J Rohrer serves as a Environmental Scientist III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $119,496.

Murl Rawlins

Journey Auto Worker/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$119,437

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $43,669
Overtime: $27,304
Other pay: $3,205
Benefits: $45,258
Total compensation: $119,437

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Murl Rawlins is a Journey Auto Worker at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $119,437.

Charles Panter

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

2019 total comp

$119,408

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $49,600
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $29,459
Benefits: $40,349
Total compensation: $119,408

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Charles Panter serves as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Exempt within Restricted Special Revenue. Their 2019 pay totaled $119,408.

Rachel Shilton

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$119,061

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $83,939
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,690
Benefits: $33,433
Total compensation: $119,061

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Rachel Shilton holds the role of Engineering Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $119,061.

Randy Wood

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$118,806

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $72,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $715
Benefits: $45,951
Total compensation: $118,806

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Randy Wood serves as a Wildlife Program Manager within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $118,806.

Covy Jones

Assistant Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$118,765

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $69,018
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,540
Benefits: $46,207
Total compensation: $118,765

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Covy Jones works as a Assistant Wildlife Program Chief for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Covy earned $118,765 in 2019.

Wade Cavender

Assistant Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$118,635

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $73,365
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,281
Benefits: $42,990
Total compensation: $118,635

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Wade Cavender works as a Assistant Wildlife Program Chief for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Wade earned $118,635 in 2019.

Bret Buck

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$118,377

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $71,829
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,916
Benefits: $43,632
Total compensation: $118,377

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Bret Buck serves as a Engineer III within Dnr Water Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $118,377.

Drew Patterson

Assistant Park Manager, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,989

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $55,112
Overtime: $7,868
Other pay: $3,397
Benefits: $51,612
Total compensation: $117,989

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Drew Patterson serves as a Assistant Park Manager, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $117,989.

Frank Howe

Research Consultant II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,973

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $78,805
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,236
Benefits: $37,931
Total compensation: $117,973

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Frank Howe is a Research Consultant II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $117,973.

Craig Walker

Assistant Wildlife Program Chief/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,593

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $73,250
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,779
Benefits: $42,564
Total compensation: $117,593

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Craig Walker holds the role of Assistant Wildlife Program Chief at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $117,593.

Benjamin Nadolski

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,448

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $70,089
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,234
Benefits: $46,125
Total compensation: $117,448

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Benjamin Nadolski is a Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $117,448.

Scott Nielson

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,414

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $53,892
Overtime: $18,590
Other pay: $3,660
Benefits: $41,273
Total compensation: $117,414

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Scott Nielson serves as a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $117,414.

Dale Hunt

Aircraft Pilot/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,353

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $71,448
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $326
Benefits: $45,579
Total compensation: $117,353

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Dale Hunt is a Aircraft Pilot at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $117,353.

Gerald Gray

Forestry, Fire & Lands Administrator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,147

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $65,655
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,340
Benefits: $38,152
Total compensation: $117,147

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Gerald Gray works as a Forestry, Fire & Lands Administrator for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Gerald earned $117,147 in 2019.

Janae Wallace

Senior Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,094

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $71,343
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,259
Benefits: $42,492
Total compensation: $117,094

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Janae Wallace serves as a Senior Geologist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $117,094.

William Clark

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$117,030

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $76,013
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,751
Benefits: $37,266
Total compensation: $117,030

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

William Clark holds the role of Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $117,030.

Marshall Robinson

Project Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$116,872

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $70,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $920
Benefits: $45,743
Total compensation: $116,872

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Marshall Robinson works as a Project Geologist for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Marshall earned $116,872 in 2019.

Jared Ehler

GIS Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$116,581

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $64,709
Overtime: $14,531
Other pay: $561
Benefits: $36,780
Total compensation: $116,581

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jared Ehler works as a GIS Manager for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Jared earned $116,581 in 2019.

Kevin Taylor

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$116,511

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $58,152
Overtime: $2,431
Other pay: $2,646
Benefits: $53,282
Total compensation: $116,511

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kevin Taylor holds the role of Park Manager II, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $116,511.

Dustin Richards

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$116,408

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $49,207
Overtime: $16,430
Other pay: $6,087
Benefits: $44,685
Total compensation: $116,408

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Dustin Richards serves as a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $116,408.

Justin Shannon

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$116,305

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $66,873
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,977
Benefits: $44,456
Total compensation: $116,305

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Justin Shannon works as a Wildlife Coordinator for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Justin earned $116,305 in 2017.

Shalaine De Bernardi

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$116,252

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $69,919
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,019
Benefits: $45,314
Total compensation: $116,252

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Shalaine De Bernardi is a Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $116,252.

Wayne Earley

Park Manager I, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,929

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $57,226
Overtime: $1,744
Other pay: $4,933
Benefits: $52,027
Total compensation: $115,929

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Wayne Earley works as a Park Manager I, Post for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Wayne earned $115,929 in 2019.

Dennis Shumway

Sergeant, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,848

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $55,424
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,442
Benefits: $50,981
Total compensation: $115,848

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Dennis Shumway works as a Sergeant, Dnr for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Dennis earned $115,848 in 2019.

Ronald Nielsen

Support Services Coordinator III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,828

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $69,184
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $965
Benefits: $45,679
Total compensation: $115,828

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ronald Nielsen works as a Support Services Coordinator III for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Ronald earned $115,828 in 2019.

Dennis Ingram

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,767

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $72,125
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,481
Benefits: $42,161
Total compensation: $115,767

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Dennis Ingram works as a Environmental Scientist III for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Dennis earned $115,767 in 2019.

Mark Farmer

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,606

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $68,901
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,182
Benefits: $45,524
Total compensation: $115,606

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Mark Farmer is a Wildlife Program Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $115,606.

Cheston Slater

Park Manager II, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,535

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $57,076
Overtime: $2,913
Other pay: $3,749
Benefits: $51,797
Total compensation: $115,535

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Cheston Slater serves as a Park Manager II, Post within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $115,535.

A Gustaveson

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,523

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $73,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $239
Benefits: $41,674
Total compensation: $115,523

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

A Gustaveson works as a Wildlife Biologist III for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. A earned $115,523 in 2019.

Frederic Johnson

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,222

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $50,651
Overtime: $16,775
Other pay: $6,249
Benefits: $41,548
Total compensation: $115,222

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Frederic Johnson holds the role of Forestry/Fire Program Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $115,222.

Matthew Burgess

Conservation Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$115,163

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $55,675
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,958
Benefits: $51,530
Total compensation: $115,163

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Matthew Burgess holds the role of Conservation Officer II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $115,163.

Gordon Nelson

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$114,607

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $71,592
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,293
Benefits: $41,722
Total compensation: $114,607

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Gordon Nelson serves as a Wildlife Biologist III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $114,607.