Minnesota state employees by county
Where do state employees work, and what are they paid? Counties are ranked by the pay of state employees whose work location is there.
97 counties with at least 1 employee · FY 2026 · amount paid in the year
| # | County | Employees | Total | Median | Average | Highest | Highest paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramsey | 26,787 | $2.31B | $87,130 | $86,955 | $541,178 | Schurtz, Jill Ellen Investment Board |
| 2 | Hennepin | 5,191 | $39M | $73,574 | $77,105 | $404,887 | Gulrajani, Chinmoy Direct Care and Treatment |
| 3 | Blue Earth | 2,676 | $196M | $72,756 | $74,924 | $389,402 | Inch, Edward S MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 4 | Anoka | 2,531 | $188M | $73,904 | $76,623 | $593,850 | Broghammer, Frances Direct Care and Treatment |
| 5 | St Louis | 2,288 | $15M | $70,491 | $66,643 | $219,966 | Kingston, Linda S MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 6 | Stearns | 2,205 | $162M | $73,365 | $75,167 | $356,113 | Larson, Brett H MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 7 | Nicollet | 1,798 | $145M | $74,705 | $81,040 | $507,544 | Hirachan, Soniya Direct Care and Treatment |
| 8 | Dakota | 1,697 | $107M | $66,089 | $65,417 | $421,176 | Frawley, John Minnesota Zoological Garden |
| 9 | Beltrami | 1,472 | $104M | $71,282 | $71,875 | $333,151 | Hoffman, John Louis MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 10 | Carlton | 1,383 | $93.8M | $72,049 | $68,949 | $231,499 | Herbert, Lauren Direct Care and Treatment |
| 11 | Olmsted | 1,375 | $99.5M | $74,934 | $73,998 | $540,518 | Naqvi, Salima Direct Care and Treatment |
| 12 | Washington | 1,362 | $102M | $75,800 | $75,271 | $231,488 | Ramotar, Robert N. Corrections Dept |
| 13 | Winona | 1,254 | $85.8M | $67,909 | $70,006 | $381,049 | Ellinghuysen, Scott MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 14 | Rice | 1,243 | $82.9M | $70,338 | $67,379 | $282,555 | Rivas, Katie Marie Direct Care and Treatment |
| 15 | Crow Wing | 1,202 | $85.9M | $73,012 | $72,026 | $280,982 | Charlier, Hara MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 16 | Clay | 1,155 | $75.4M | $64,229 | $66,638 | $374,158 | Downs, Timothy Michael MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 17 | Kandiyohi | 841 | $54.8M | $65,272 | $67,362 | $586,580 | Berryhill, Eve Charity Direct Care and Treatment |
| 18 | Lyon | 762 | $50.8M | $69,425 | $68,836 | $251,008 | Jones, David P MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 19 | Otter Tail | 738 | $44.8M | $60,835 | $61,811 | $501,286 | Mach, David Jerome Direct Care and Treatment |
| 20 | Douglas | 579 | $28.7M | $49,553 | $51,387 | $506,982 | Lissman, Thomas Larry Direct Care and Treatment |
| 21 | Chisago | 550 | $36.5M | $69,203 | $66,624 | $190,117 | Dowdal, Bridgid E Trial Courts |
| 22 | Sherburne | 549 | $40.7M | $74,621 | $74,391 | $233,413 | Werner, Jared R Corrections Dept |
| 23 | Itasca | 533 | $36.9M | $71,719 | $70,094 | $295,098 | Ulseth, Ronald Richard MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 24 | Mower | 496 | $25.2M | $59,207 | $55,007 | $230,920 | Vietor, Sherry Ann MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 25 | Scott | 429 | $30.5M | $73,656 | $71,394 | $232,952 | Piccolino, Adam L. Corrections Dept |
| 26 | Becker | 410 | $32.9M | $81,012 | $80,750 | $199,622 | Fritz, Michael David Trial Courts |
| 27 | Goodhue | 402 | $27.6M | $74,758 | $70,311 | $190,117 | Bayley, Douglas Covell Trial Courts |
| 28 | Pine | 385 | $21.3M | $63,917 | $58,817 | $224,299 | Mulford, Joseph L MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 29 | Morrison | 365 | $24.5M | $65,884 | $68,022 | $265,277 | Nierengarten, Gary Joseph Military Affairs Dept |
| 30 | Mcleod | 325 | $14M | $46,342 | $45,724 | $190,117 | Maher, Jessica Jean Whiteman Trial Courts |
| 31 | Lake | 290 | $16.5M | $54,990 | $57,026 | $201,138 | Chalupsky, Paulina Veterans Affairs Dept |
| 32 | Hubbard | 284 | $11M | $24,916 | $38,943 | $190,117 | Lorsbach, Kathryn Anne Trial Courts |
| 33 | Pennington | 281 | $17.8M | $68,626 | $66,683 | $221,882 | Olson-Nikunen, Shari L MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 34 | Isanti | 277 | $18.3M | $67,297 | $67,872 | $255,035 | Foulkes, Elizabeth Christine Direct Care and Treatment |
| 35 | Polk | 237 | $14.2M | $66,544 | $63,886 | $190,117 | Harbott, Corey Allen Trial Courts |
| 36 | Fillmore | 230 | $10.8M | $41,100 | $47,315 | $190,117 | Clinefelter, Jeremy Trial Courts |
| 37 | Wright | 225 | $17.2M | $65,861 | $76,427 | $576,147 | Glomski, Alexis Lynn Direct Care and Treatment |
| 38 | Rock | 218 | $10.7M | $48,940 | $48,963 | $159,899 | Fick, Margaret E Veterans Affairs Dept |
| 39 | Nobles | 199 | $9.8M | $54,326 | $55,497 | $260,393 | Gaalswyk, Terry Burdell MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 40 | Chippewa | 194 | $10.2M | $52,209 | $52,856 | $190,117 | Pieh, Benjamin Charles Trial Courts |
| 41 | Steele | 182 | $12.1M | $68,798 | $66,540 | $190,117 | Bueltel, Joseph A Trial Courts |
| 42 | Cass | 131 | $8.2M | $64,673 | $64,253 | $326,553 | Houts, Abigail Holley Direct Care and Treatment |
| 43 | Wadena | 127 | $8.2M | $63,444 | $65,801 | $190,117 | Clark, Douglas B Trial Courts |
| 44 | Yellow Medicine | 117 | $5.7M | $57,568 | $55,108 | $190,117 | Helgeson, Keith Ray Trial Courts |
| 45 | Brown | 114 | $7.9M | $66,210 | $69,653 | $190,117 | Docherty, Robert A Trial Courts |
| 46 | Freeborn | 114 | $6.7M | $65,013 | $59,777 | $190,117 | Hormann Ayers, Christy Michelle Trial Courts |
| 47 | Cottonwood | 107 | $7.5M | $70,462 | $70,200 | $190,117 | Wietzema, Christina M Trial Courts |
| 48 | Mille Lacs | 95 | $5.8M | $63,727 | $61,816 | $190,117 | Herzing, Mark J Trial Courts |
| 49 | Todd | 92 | $5M | $56,483 | $54,755 | $167,709 | Hovis, Heidi Louise Trial Courts |
| 50 | Koochiching | 87 | $5.7M | $67,196 | $65,760 | $190,117 | Shermoen, Jerrod A Trial Courts |
| 51 | Carver | 85 | $5.4M | $62,365 | $63,036 | $190,117 | Braaten, Eric J Trial Courts |
| 52 | Pipestone | 78 | $4.4M | $59,435 | $57,405 | $190,117 | Johnson, Kayla Marie Trial Courts |
| 53 | Benton | 76 | $5.1M | $68,938 | $66,637 | $190,117 | Raupp, Robert J Trial Courts |
| 54 | Le Sueur | 70 | $4M | $59,982 | $56,742 | $190,117 | Goggins, Patrick H Trial Courts |
| 55 | Roseau | 65 | $4.3M | $65,369 | $66,821 | $136,533 | Fisher, Adam J Natural Resources Dept |
| 56 | Aitkin | 62 | $4M | $65,504 | $65,813 | $173,364 | Hawley, Daniel Mayer Trial Courts |
| 57 | Jackson | 55 | $4.2M | $69,705 | $77,617 | $199,622 | Bentz, Darci J Trial Courts |
| 58 | Stevens | 53 | $3.6M | $73,720 | $68,276 | $190,117 | Wilcox, Benjamin R Trial Courts |
| 59 | Dodge | 51 | $2.7M | $55,474 | $53,260 | $190,117 | Groehler, Debra A Trial Courts |
| 60 | Martin | 50 | $3.5M | $72,044 | $70,031 | $190,117 | Trushenski, Michael D Trial Courts |
| 61 | Pope | 49 | $3.1M | $67,321 | $62,795 | $190,117 | Listug Klick, Melissa Judith Trial Courts |
| 62 | Redwood | 46 | $2.9M | $65,302 | $63,504 | $190,117 | Rohland, Patrick R Trial Courts |
| 63 | Lake Of Woods | 44 | $2.5M | $65,020 | $56,897 | $111,027 | Dragon, David P Natural Resources Dept |
| 64 | Cook | 36 | $2M | $56,440 | $55,931 | $115,105 | Mielke, Aaron J Natural Resources Dept |
| 65 | Houston | 35 | $2.2M | $65,208 | $63,438 | $190,117 | Patterson, Carmaine Sturino Trial Courts |
| 66 | Wabasha | 35 | $2.9M | $80,143 | $82,218 | $190,117 | Neisen, Christopher Trial Courts |
| 67 | Watonwan | 34 | $2.1M | $63,977 | $61,116 | $190,117 | Ferrazzano II, Stephen J Trial Courts |
| 68 | Mahnomen | 29 | $1.8M | $59,869 | $65,287 | $190,117 | Duffy, Seamus Patrick Trial Courts |
| 69 | Faribault | 28 | $1.8M | $66,163 | $65,348 | $190,117 | Timmerman, Troy Gene Trial Courts |
| 70 | Marshall | 27 | $1.6M | $63,436 | $60,091 | $143,686 | Schafer-LaCoursiere, Max William Trial Courts |
| 71 | Kanabec | 25 | $1.7M | $63,973 | $66,378 | $132,572 | Fischmann, Jacob C Trial Courts |
| 72 | Renville | 25 | $1.6M | $66,217 | $64,091 | $190,117 | Stratton, Laurence J Trial Courts |
| 73 | Kittson | 24 | $1.2M | $51,364 | $50,545 | $117,026 | Pietruszewski, Donovan G Natural Resources Dept |
| 74 | Meeker | 24 | $1.9M | $68,557 | $77,425 | $199,622 | Beckman, Stephanie Lynn Trial Courts |
| 75 | Clearwater | 19 | $1.3M | $65,630 | $70,965 | $190,117 | Schieferdecker, Eric P Trial Courts |
| 76 | Murray | 18 | $647,293 | $23,388 | $35,961 | $103,079 | Schauer, Roseann M Natural Resources Dept |
| 77 | Sibley | 17 | $1.2M | $66,090 | $73,448 | $190,117 | Donley, Amber Ramige Trial Courts |
| 78 | Swift | 17 | $910,643 | $62,193 | $53,567 | $190,117 | Whalen, Allison Troyer Trial Courts |
| 79 | Big Stone | 16 | $872,307 | $60,364 | $54,519 | $102,678 | Domeier, Christopher R Natural Resources Dept |
| 80 | Waseca | 15 | $1M | $65,601 | $69,638 | $190,117 | Hanks, Carol Maureen Trial Courts |
| 81 | Grant | 10 | $772,261 | $69,358 | $77,226 | $190,117 | Doll, Amy Jo Trial Courts |
| 82 | Traverse | 10 | $500,265 | $57,590 | $50,026 | $103,839 | Rinehart, Daniel John Transportation Dept |
| 83 | Wilkin | 10 | $608,994 | $65,199 | $60,899 | $121,708 | Tischer, Chad R Transportation Dept |
| 84 | Lac Qui Parle | 6 | $386,799 | $64,550 | $64,467 | $69,122 | Stoick, Ruth M Trial Courts |
| 85 | Norman | 6 | $391,069 | $65,384 | $65,178 | $85,428 | Miller, Deborah R Children Youth & Families Dept |
| 86 | Lincoln | 5 | $321,697 | $58,442 | $64,339 | $97,226 | Vizecky, Debra Jo Human Services Dept |
| 87 | Red Lake | 4 | $149,941 | $43,453 | $37,485 | $53,635 | McGlynn, Chelsea Breanne Trial Courts |
| 88 | Bernalillo | 1 | $168,543 | $168,543 | $168,543 | $168,543 | Ellis, Donald Byron Minnesota IT Services |
| 89 | Grimes | 1 | $14,025 | $14,025 | $14,025 | $14,025 | Happ, Krista Michelle MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 90 | Jasper | 1 | $106,961 | $106,961 | $106,961 | $106,961 | Determan, Christopher R Revenue Dept |
| 91 | Jefferson | 1 | $141,873 | $141,873 | $141,873 | $141,873 | Kats, Leonard Minnesota IT Services |
| 92 | Kent | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Livingston, Lawrence B MN St Colleges & Universities |
| 93 | King | 1 | $117,067 | $117,067 | $117,067 | $117,067 | Harrington, Jennifer Revenue Dept |
| 94 | Los Angeles | 1 | $139,062 | $139,062 | $139,062 | $139,062 | Sherman, James Robert Revenue Dept |
| 95 | Rowan | 1 | $127,106 | $127,106 | $127,106 | $127,106 | Warren, Kevin Minnesota IT Services |
| 96 | San Diego | 1 | $118,598 | $118,598 | $118,598 | $118,598 | Chandanala, Hema Minnesota IT Services |
| 97 | Wake | 1 | $132,823 | $132,823 | $132,823 | $132,823 | Attri, Anamika Minnesota IT Services |
Each person counts once per fiscal year, agency and county, under the county 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.