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