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