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