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