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 7

Wayne Western

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,659

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $68,498
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,619
Benefits: $40,542
Total compensation: $110,659

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Wayne Western works as a Environmental Scientist III for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Wayne earned $110,659 in 2019.

Warren Findley

Forestry/Fire Program Specialist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,400

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $53,442
Overtime: $8,637
Other pay: $4,792
Benefits: $43,528
Total compensation: $110,400

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Warren Findley is a Forestry/Fire Program Specialist at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $110,400.

Eric Anderson

Engineering Technician IV/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,349

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $64,891
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,569
Benefits: $43,888
Total compensation: $110,349

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Eric Anderson serves as a Engineering Technician IV within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $110,349.

David Horsley

Engineer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,317

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $65,528
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $725
Benefits: $44,064
Total compensation: $110,317

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

David Horsley works as a Engineer II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. David earned $110,317 in 2019.

Gary Cook

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,092

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $64,206
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,945
Benefits: $43,940
Total compensation: $110,092

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Gary Cook is a Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $110,092.

Adam Heyder

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$110,062

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $49,952
Overtime: $12,339
Other pay: $5,325
Benefits: $42,445
Total compensation: $110,062

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Adam Heyder is a Fire Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $110,062.

Michael Drake

Engineering Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2018 total comp

$109,939

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $70,006
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $50
Benefits: $39,883
Total compensation: $109,939

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Drake works as a Engineering Manager I for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. Michael earned $109,939 in 2018.

Kimberly Hersey

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,827

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $66,577
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $128
Benefits: $43,122
Total compensation: $109,827

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Kimberly Hersey serves as a Wildlife Coordinator within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2019 pay totaled $109,827.

Eric Bradshaw

Park Manager III, Post/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,635

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $59,630
Overtime: $783
Other pay: $2,613
Benefits: $46,609
Total compensation: $109,635

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Eric Bradshaw is a Park Manager III, Post at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $109,635.

Michael Slater

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,616

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $63,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,467
Benefits: $43,877
Total compensation: $109,616

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Slater holds the role of Wildlife Program Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $109,616.

Landon Rowley

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,507

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $45,211
Overtime: $19,121
Other pay: $4,550
Benefits: $40,625
Total compensation: $109,507

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Landon Rowley holds the role of Fire Technician III at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $109,507.

Daniel Summers

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$109,382

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $65,397
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,645
Benefits: $42,339
Total compensation: $109,382

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Daniel Summers serves as a Wildlife Coordinator within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2017 pay totaled $109,382.

Russell Norvell

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,382

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $68,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $99
Benefits: $40,451
Total compensation: $109,382

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Russell Norvell is a Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $109,382.

Kristine Wilson

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$109,366

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $68,614
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,304
Benefits: $39,448
Total compensation: $109,366

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Kristine Wilson serves as a Wildlife Coordinator within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Their 2017 pay totaled $109,366.

Joshua Carver

Conservation Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,315

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $47,997
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,696
Benefits: $48,622
Total compensation: $109,315

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Joshua Carver holds the role of Conservation Officer II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $109,315.

Michael Nelson

Park Manager I/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,128

Sub-department: DNR Parks & Recreation
Base pay: $56,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,819
Benefits: $50,809
Total compensation: $109,128

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Michael Nelson holds the role of Park Manager I at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Parks & Recreation. In 2019, their total compensation was $109,128.

Paul Inkenbrandt

Senior Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,082

Sub-department: DNR Utah Geological Survey
Base pay: $65,114
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $188
Benefits: $43,781
Total compensation: $109,082

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Paul Inkenbrandt holds the role of Senior Geologist at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Utah Geological Survey. In 2019, their total compensation was $109,082.

Kyle Turnbow

Engineer III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$109,063

Sub-department: DNR Water Rights
Base pay: $67,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $292
Benefits: $41,287
Total compensation: $109,063

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kyle Turnbow is a Engineer III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Rights. 2019 total compensation came to $109,063.

Roger Mellenthin

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,918

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $64,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $693
Benefits: $43,725
Total compensation: $108,918

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Roger Mellenthin holds the role of Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $108,918.

Richard Powell

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,566

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $64,191
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,152
Benefits: $43,222
Total compensation: $108,566

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Richard Powell holds the role of Environmental Scientist III at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. In 2019, their total compensation was $108,566.

Kenneth Kinghorn

Sergeant, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,485

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $48,479
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,148
Benefits: $51,858
Total compensation: $108,485

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Kenneth Kinghorn is a Sergeant, Dnr at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $108,485.

Anthony Wood

Captain, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,395

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $72,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $862
Benefits: $35,387
Total compensation: $108,395

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Anthony Wood works as a Captain, Dnr for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Anthony earned $108,395 in 2019.

Aaron Farmer

Park Manager II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,266

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $62,781
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,712
Benefits: $43,773
Total compensation: $108,266

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Aaron Farmer holds the role of Park Manager II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. In 2019, their total compensation was $108,266.

Brandon Baron

Sergeant, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,245

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $53,301
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,130
Benefits: $49,814
Total compensation: $108,245

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Brandon Baron is a Sergeant, Dnr at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $108,245.

Tyler Knudsen

Senior Geologist/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,217

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $64,958
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $125
Benefits: $43,134
Total compensation: $108,217

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Tyler Knudsen serves as a Senior Geologist within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $108,217.

April Abate

Environmental Scientist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$108,188

Sub-department: DNR Oil, Gas & Mining
Base pay: $64,470
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $393
Benefits: $43,325
Total compensation: $108,188

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, April Abate serves as a Environmental Scientist III within Dnr Oil, Gas & Mining. Their 2019 pay totaled $108,188.

Daniel Swasey

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

2019 total comp

$108,150

Sub-department: Restricted Special Revenue
Base pay: $51,175
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,252
Benefits: $38,723
Total compensation: $108,150

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Daniel Swasey works as a Water Commissioners & Deputies, Flsa Exempt for Department of Natural Resources within Restricted Special Revenue. Daniel earned $108,150 in 2019.

Jason Robinson

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$107,799

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $66,551
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,330
Benefits: $38,918
Total compensation: $107,799

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Jason Robinson is a Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2017 total compensation came to $107,799.

Thomas Peterson

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,728

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $43,881
Overtime: $16,063
Other pay: $5,133
Benefits: $42,651
Total compensation: $107,728

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Thomas Peterson serves as a Fire Technician III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $107,728.

Daniel Eddington

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,689

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $69,208
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,372
Benefits: $34,108
Total compensation: $107,689

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Daniel Eddington is a Wildlife Coordinator at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $107,689.

Matthew Briggs

Sergeant, Dnr/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,659

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $42,923
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,490
Benefits: $38,246
Total compensation: $107,659

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Matthew Briggs works as a Sergeant, Dnr for Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. Matthew earned $107,659 in 2019.

Wade Cavender

Wildlife Coordinator/Department of Natural Resources

2017 total comp

$107,633

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $64,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,991
Benefits: $38,759
Total compensation: $107,633

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Wade Cavender works as a Wildlife Coordinator for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. Wade earned $107,633 in 2017.

Ann Merrill

Engineer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,586

Sub-department: DNR Water Resources
Base pay: $64,189
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $43,397
Total compensation: $107,586

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Ann Merrill works as a Engineer II for Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Water Resources. Ann earned $107,586 in 2019.

Christopher Rhea

Conservation Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,522

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $51,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,212
Benefits: $48,111
Total compensation: $107,522

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Christopher Rhea is a Conservation Officer II at Department of Natural Resources within Comp & Excess Pool. 2019 total compensation came to $107,522.

Gabe Patterson

Conservation Officer II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,436

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $50,223
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,181
Benefits: $48,032
Total compensation: $107,436

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Gabe Patterson serves as a Conservation Officer II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $107,436.

Daniel Walton

Fire Technician III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,373

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $43,815
Overtime: $19,307
Other pay: $4,124
Benefits: $40,127
Total compensation: $107,373

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Daniel Walton serves as a Fire Technician III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $107,373.

P Abraham

Forester II/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,361

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $50,441
Overtime: $9,216
Other pay: $5,593
Benefits: $42,112
Total compensation: $107,361

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, P Abraham serves as a Forester II within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $107,361.

Scott Root

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,207

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $63,417
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $524
Benefits: $43,266
Total compensation: $107,207

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Scott Root holds the role of Wildlife Program Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. In 2019, their total compensation was $107,207.

Christopher Penne

Wildlife Program Manager/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$107,143

Sub-department: DNR Wildlife Resources
Base pay: $63,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $642
Benefits: $43,245
Total compensation: $107,143

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

Christopher Penne is a Wildlife Program Manager at Department of Natural Resources within Dnr Wildlife Resources. 2019 total compensation came to $107,143.

Ted Hallows

Wildlife Biologist III/Department of Natural Resources

2019 total comp

$106,877

Sub-department: Comp & Excess Pool
Base pay: $58,925
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,630
Benefits: $44,323
Total compensation: $106,877

Source-specific fields

Pay Components: [object Object]

At Department of Natural Resources, Ted Hallows serves as a Wildlife Biologist III within Comp & Excess Pool. Their 2019 pay totaled $106,877.