Top-paying agencies in Minnesota state government
How do Minnesota state agencies compare on pay? Agencies are ranked by their employees’ pay for the fiscal year you choose. Open an agency to see its people.
100 agencies with at least 3 employees · FY 2026 · amount paid in the year
| # | Agency | Employees | Total | Median | Average | Highest | Highest paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota IT Services | 3,032 | $353M | $127,106 | $116,806 | $245,640 | Broberg, Mark J MNIT Division Manager 1 |
| 2 | Workers Comp Court of Appeals | 13 | $1.7M | $123,385 | $131,157 | $200,625 | Christenson, Thomas James Judge Of Wkrs Comp Court Of Ap |
| 3 | Investment Board | 64 | $9.1M | $108,750 | $141,525 | $541,178 | Schurtz, Jill Ellen Exec Dir Investment Bd |
| 4 | Ombudsperson for Families | 7 | $598,991 | $107,481 | $85,570 | $114,279 | Gubasta, Muriel Rose Ombudsperson For Child Protect |
| 5 | Education Department | 543 | $52.3M | $104,916 | $97,001 | $191,584 | Jett II, Willie Commissioner-Education Dept |
| 6 | Legislative Auditor | 85 | $8.5M | $104,486 | $99,721 | $234,249 | Randall, Judith L. Leg Audit |
| 7 | Mn Management & Budget | 407 | $40.8M | $102,019 | $100,696 | $197,945 | Campbell, Erin M Commissioner-MN Mgmt & Budget |
| 8 | Sentencing Guidelines Comm | 7 | $657,134 | $100,467 | $93,876 | $146,607 | Reitz, Nathaniel J Research Director, Sent Guid C |
| 9 | Emergency Medical Srvcs Office | 17 | $1.4M | $99,673 | $79,750 | $147,406 | Ferguson, Dylan J Exec Dir Emer Med Services |
| 10 | Public Utilities Comm | 95 | $9.5M | $99,404 | $99,499 | $264,060 | Fournier, Marc A Pub Util Rates Analyst 4 |
| 11 | Water & Soil Resources Board | 147 | $14.2M | $99,290 | $96,914 | $229,968 | Wenzel, Thomas A Engineer Administrative |
| 12 | Children Youth & Families Dept | 896 | $82.8M | $98,480 | $92,512 | $193,293 | Brown, Tikki Nicole Commissioner DCYF |
| 13 | Housing Finance Agency | 357 | $36.5M | $97,525 | $102,223 | $200,409 | Pratt, Andrew J Housing Finance Agency Exec |
| 14 | Public Facilities Authority | 12 | $1.2M | $96,574 | $103,886 | $215,437 | Walter, Steven Fiscal & Admin Serv Manager |
| 15 | Labor & Industry Dept | 710 | $62.6M | $94,714 | $88,381 | $225,362 | McKown, Scott D Asst Dir Constr Codes & Lic |
| 16 | Public Defense Board | 1,089 | $106M | $93,870 | $97,679 | $261,785 | Naatz, Cecil E Public Defense Managing Attrny |
| 17 | Health Department | 2,115 | $188M | $93,727 | $89,127 | $319,013 | Lynfield, Ruth Medical Specialist 4 |
| 18 | Iron Range Resources & Rehab | 44 | $3.8M | $92,693 | $86,527 | $174,617 | Rukavina, Ida L Commissioner-IRR&R |
| 19 | Peace Officers Board - POST | 19 | $1.6M | $92,638 | $82,250 | $146,607 | Misselt, Erik Christopher Exec Dir POST Bd |
| 20 | Tax Court | 9 | $990,491 | $91,972 | $110,055 | $195,556 | Holzer, Jane Nora Bowman Tax Court Judge |
| 21 | Office of Higher Education | 96 | $8.5M | $91,127 | $88,547 | $185,181 | Olson Jr, Dennis W Commissioner-MN Off Higher Edu |
| 22 | Supreme Court | 560 | $50M | $90,232 | $89,366 | $248,651 | Shorba, Jeffrey G Jud State Court Administrator |
| 23 | Legislative Coordinating Comm | 148 | $13.5M | $90,081 | $91,169 | $220,280 | Yurich, Michelle M Legis Com/Ofc Executives |
| 24 | Ombud Mental Hlth & Dev Dis | 24 | $2M | $89,660 | $81,816 | $149,649 | Harrison-Hadler, Lisa Ombudsman Mntl Hlth & Dev Dis |
| 25 | Human Services Dept | 2,549 | $22M | $89,648 | $86,814 | $239,259 | Chomilo, Nathan Tseboh Medical Specialist 4 |
| 26 | Disability Council | 13 | $1.1M | $88,631 | $81,771 | $150,133 | Dively, Emory David Exec Dir Disability Counc |
| 27 | Commerce Dept | 442 | $39.6M | $87,155 | $89,672 | $231,138 | Slutsker, Benjamin Dir Actuarial & Reg Plcy Analy |
| 28 | MN State Retirement System | 163 | $13.8M | $87,126 | $84,387 | $238,244 | Leonard, Erin M Exec Dir St Retirement System |
| 29 | Latino Affairs Council | 5 | $419,384 | $87,119 | $83,877 | $97,666 | Tock Quinonez, Rosa Leonor Planner Senior State |
| 30 | Pollution Control Agency | 1,215 | $101M | $86,131 | $82,808 | $206,695 | Benke, David J Pollution Cont Division Dir |
| 31 | Ombudsperson for Corrections | 9 | $767,875 | $85,410 | $85,319 | $134,062 | Zadra, Margaret Ombudsperson For Corrections |
| 32 | Exec for LT Svcs & Supports Bd | 4 | $339,221 | $85,312 | $84,805 | $125,713 | Jobe, Stephen Dion Exec Dir Long Trm Svcs & Sup |
| 33 | Agriculture Dept | 610 | $45.3M | $85,256 | $75,443 | $181,054 | Vaubel, Andrea Fetherston Deputy Commr Agriculture |
| 34 | Teachers Retirement Assoc | 114 | $9.8M | $85,161 | $85,676 | $217,324 | Maurer, Timothy Allan Exec Dir Teachers Ret Assoc |
| 35 | Bureau of Mediation Services | 19 | $1.9M | $84,314 | $101,647 | $178,778 | Villarreal, Johnny J Commissioner-Mediation Service |
| 36 | Public Employees Retire Assoc | 144 | $11.7M | $82,830 | $81,595 | $231,244 | Anderson, Douglas Allen Exec Dir PERA |
| 37 | Campaign Fin & Public Discl Bd | 9 | $793,022 | $81,579 | $88,114 | $144,759 | Sigurdson, Jeffrey G Exec Dir Campaign Fin & Pbl Bd |
| 38 | Animal Health Board | 46 | $3.9M | $81,117 | $85,800 | $156,575 | Hoefs, Brian Exec Dir Animal Health Bd |
| 39 | Human Rights Dept | 60 | $5.1M | $80,812 | $84,689 | $185,181 | Lucero, Rebecca Commissioner-Human Rights |
| 40 | Attorney General's Office | 508 | $44.9M | $80,803 | $88,448 | $198,058 | Keller, John C M4 (Attorney General's Office) |
| 41 | Revenue Dept | 1,540 | $124M | $80,301 | $80,787 | $198,561 | Ho, Lee H Deputy Commr Revenue |
| 42 | Cannabis Management Office | 111 | $8.8M | $79,878 | $80,127 | $187,392 | Taubel, Eric Scott Exec Dir Office Cannabis Mgmt |
| 43 | Public Safety Dept | 2,479 | $209M | $79,085 | $84,451 | $246,089 | Krambeer, Adam James State Patrol Trooper |
| 44 | Secretary of State | 126 | $10.6M | $78,281 | $84,282 | $180,223 | McDonald, Christopher Mark Information Syst Director |
| 45 | Employ & Econ Development Dept | 1,883 | $145M | $78,244 | $77,622 | $196,744 | Mulhern, Gerald G Unemployment Ins Prog Dir |
| 46 | State Auditor | 98 | $8.2M | $77,797 | $84,043 | $180,663 | Fraser, Kathy Information Syst Director |
| 47 | Explore Minnesota | 59 | $4.5M | $77,462 | $76,133 | $168,878 | Bennett McGinty, Lauren M Dir Explore Minnesota Tourism |
| 48 | Gambling Control Board | 50 | $3.9M | $77,042 | $77,064 | $149,649 | Wade, Laura E Exec Dir Gambling Control |
| 49 | Corrections Dept | 4,614 | $353M | $76,621 | $76,866 | $318,772 | Amsterdam, James T Medical Specialist 4 |
| 50 | Transportation Dept | 6,097 | $471M | $76,513 | $77,420 | $207,651 | Fairbanks, Michael Joseph Engineer Administrative |
| 51 | Administrative Hearings | 85 | $8.4M | $75,788 | $98,604 | $195,544 | Palmer-Denig, Jessica Ann Chief Administrative Law Judge |
| 52 | Asian-Pacific Council | 4 | $295,854 | $75,624 | $73,963 | $136,503 | Her, Sia Exec Dir Counc Asian Pcf Mn |
| 53 | Pharmacy Board | 28 | $2.8M | $75,543 | $98,691 | $187,354 | Patterson, Aaron Lee Exec Sec Pharmacy Bd |
| 54 | Foster Youth Ombudsperson | 6 | $509,320 | $75,147 | $84,887 | $131,700 | Coonce, Misty Jo Ombudsperson for Foster Youth |
| 55 | Prof Educator Licensing Std Bd | 27 | $2.1M | $75,084 | $78,224 | $146,607 | Bailey, Yelena Exec Dir Prof Educ L & S Bd |
| 56 | Lottery | 176 | $12.5M | $74,074 | $71,562 | $170,078 | Nelson, Susan L. Information Syst Director |
| 57 | State Competency Attainment Bd | 75 | $5M | $73,736 | $66,076 | $147,881 | Larson, Kimberly A CAB Program Administrator |
| 58 | Senate | 278 | $21.4M | $73,301 | $77,381 | $239,017 | Bottern, Thomas S Secretary of the Senate |
| 59 | Indian Affairs Council | 11 | $733,203 | $73,198 | $66,655 | $116,068 | Geshick Bullen, Shannon Exec Dir Indian Affairs Bd |
| 60 | Administration Dept | 614 | $45.9M | $72,291 | $74,801 | $181,054 | Christensen, Stacie E Deputy Commr Administration |
| 61 | Judicial Standards Board | 3 | $291,892 | $71,799 | $97,297 | $158,662 | Boeshans, Sara P Judicial-Executive Director |
| 62 | Governors Office | 86 | $6.2M | $71,353 | $73,077 | $185,409 | Fee, Mary L. Governors Staff Mngrl Oper |
| 63 | African Heritage Council | 7 | $472,891 | $70,919 | $67,556 | $137,546 | Sloan, Linda Exec Dir MN African Heritage C |
| 64 | Direct Care and Treatment | 6,216 | $46M | $69,917 | $74,271 | $593,850 | Broghammer, Frances Psychiatrist 3 |
| 65 | Accountancy Board | 7 | $519,342 | $69,345 | $74,192 | $122,803 | Batson, Kristin F Exec Sec Bd Of Accountancy |
| 66 | Clemency Review Commission | 7 | $474,811 | $69,314 | $67,830 | $133,525 | Stark, Carli Elizabeth Ex Dir Clemency Rev Commission |
| 67 | Natural Resources Dept | 3,511 | $235M | $68,757 | $67,308 | $215,649 | Lais, Daniel R State Prog Admin Manager Sr |
| 68 | Arts Board | 25 | $1.5M | $67,928 | $60,964 | $139,786 | Gens, Susanne K. Exec Dir St Arts Bd |
| 69 | Psychology Board | 19 | $1.4M | $67,910 | $71,116 | $115,361 | Sands, Samuel Exec Sec Psychology Bd |
| 70 | Cannabis Expungement Board | 30 | $2.2M | $67,882 | $74,130 | $146,607 | Rowader, James R Ex Dir Cannabis Expungement Bd |
| 71 | Nursing Board | 45 | $3.5M | $67,649 | $78,679 | $160,270 | Leach, Megan State Prog Admin Manager Sr |
| 72 | Court of Appeals | 113 | $9.6M | $67,242 | $85,363 | $212,650 | Frisch, Jennifer L Jud Court of Appeals Chief Jdg |
| 73 | Perpich Ctr For Arts Education | 80 | $5.2M | $66,888 | $64,519 | $163,030 | Smisek, Allegra Dir Perpich Ctr Arts Educ |
| 74 | Climate Innovn Finance Authrty | 11 | $881,863 | $64,691 | $80,169 | $148,017 | Groth Swan, Kari Lu State Prog Admin Manager Prin |
| 75 | Trial Courts | 3,089 | $228M | $64,674 | $73,784 | $217,269 | Lindahl-Pfieffer, Sarah R Jud District Administrator B |
| 76 | MN St Colleges & Universities | 18,212 | $1.12B | $64,053 | $65,414 | $473,977 | Olson, Scott R Chancellor MNSCU |
| 77 | Physical Therapy Board | 4 | $290,848 | $63,803 | $72,712 | $117,028 | DeTomaso, Erin Kathleen Exec Dir Physical Therapy Bd |
| 78 | Medical Practice Board | 21 | $1.5M | $63,769 | $72,674 | $145,305 | Huntley, Elizabeth Exec Dir Medical Practice Bd |
| 79 | Cosmetologist Exam Board | 24 | $1.6M | $63,252 | $64,895 | $125,713 | Fast, Gina Marie Exec Sec Cosmetologist Bd Exam |
| 80 | Military Affairs Dept | 514 | $28M | $62,316 | $55,025 | $265,277 | Nierengarten, Gary Joseph State Prog Admin Prin |
| 81 | Private Detective Board | 7 | $429,271 | $61,503 | $61,324 | $106,608 | Cook, Gregory John Exec Assistant |
| 82 | Barber Examiners Board | 3 | $200,548 | $61,056 | $66,849 | $87,247 | Grebinoski, Brent Allan Exec Sec Barber Examiners Bd |
| 83 | MNsure | 243 | $14.8M | $60,770 | $61,075 | $193,465 | Caulum, Elizabeth Junella MNsure Executive Director |
| 84 | Dentistry Board | 19 | $1.2M | $60,598 | $61,028 | $109,152 | Anderson, Bridgett A Exec Sec Dentistry Bd |
| 85 | Veterinary Medicine Board | 3 | $201,528 | $59,805 | $67,176 | $129,813 | Johnson, Pamela Ann Exec Dir Veterinary Med Brd |
| 86 | Social Work Board | 14 | $935,350 | $57,583 | $66,811 | $134,868 | Yang, Youa Exec Dir Social Work Bd |
| 87 | Veterans Affairs Dept | 2,089 | $125M | $56,645 | $59,852 | $306,781 | Ercan-Fang, Sean Medical Specialist 4 |
| 88 | Marriage & Family Therapy | 4 | $240,937 | $56,546 | $60,234 | $114,279 | Mohlenhoff, Jennifer L. Exec Sec Mar & Fam Therapy Bd |
| 89 | Architecture, Engineering Bd | 6 | $370,566 | $56,409 | $61,761 | $130,163 | Van Etta-Olson, Kathryn L Exec Sec Arch Engr L/S Bd |
| 90 | Rare Disease Advisory Council | 4 | $232,330 | $55,260 | $58,082 | $97,573 | Barnes, Erica Exec Dir Rare Dis Advise Counc |
| 91 | Chiropractors Board | 6 | $379,339 | $55,103 | $63,223 | $122,232 | Pidde, Ridge Marie Exec Dir Chiropractic Exam Bd |
| 92 | Occupational Therapy Pract Bd | 3 | $218,137 | $54,688 | $72,712 | $114,279 | Bourland, Christina Helene Exec Dir Occup Therapy Board |
| 93 | Guardian ad Litem Board | 300 | $15.4M | $52,517 | $51,314 | $151,881 | Miller, Alexander W GAL Program Admin |
| 94 | Behavioral Health & Therapy Bd | 9 | $437,509 | $51,600 | $48,612 | $105,602 | Strehlo, Samantha Jean Exec Dir Beh Hlth & Therapy Bd |
| 95 | Mn State Academies | 263 | $12.6M | $46,502 | $48,342 | $180,472 | Wilding, Terrence T MN Academies Administrator |
| 96 | Minnesota Zoological Garden | 501 | $22.1M | $45,917 | $44,250 | $421,176 | Frawley, John Dir Zoological Gardens |
| 97 | Capitol Area Architect | 5 | $311,677 | $44,905 | $62,335 | $126,144 | Dahl, Erik M Exec Sec Cap Area Arch & Plng |
| 98 | MN Secure Choice Retirement Bd | 7 | $248,662 | $27,482 | $35,523 | $113,279 | Roberts, Chad Russell Exec Dir Secure Choice Board |
| 99 | LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans Council | 6 | $260,009 | $27,386 | $43,335 | $136,503 | Watts, Emma Marie Exec Dir LGBTQIA2S+ Council |
| 100 | Racing Commission | 56 | $1.4M | $5,946 | $25,113 | $144,642 | Gustafson, Kyle R Exec Dir Pari-Mutuel Racing |
Each person counts once per fiscal year, agency and county, under the agency of their highest-paid record. Employee counts include only people with a pay figure for the chosen measure. “Annual base rate” is the full-time rate: hourly × 2,080 hours or biweekly × 26 pay periods. Small groups are hidden by default because a median of two people says little. Figures are raw and not adjusted for hours, seniority or inflation.