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