Otterson, Nicholas J
State Patrol TrooperPublic Safety DeptCrow Wing CountyFull-time
Brainerd D 2800 Troopers. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2011 to FY 2015, pay went up 260% while consumer prices went up 7%. After inflation, pay is up 237% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2015 | $79,069 | +1.2% | +0.7% | +0.5% |
| FY 2014 | $78,116 | +29.6% | +1.6% | +27.6% |
| FY 2013 | $60,270 | −0.9% | +1.7% | −2.5% |
| FY 2012 | $60,823 | +177.2% | +2.9% | +169.3% |
| FY 2011 | $21,944 | — | — | — |
Each change compares a year with the one before. Large swings usually come from a partial year, extra hours or a change of job rather than a raise. Prices: Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, U.S. city average) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged July to June; FY 2026 uses 11 months because October 2025 was not published.
Compared with the same job title
FY 2015 · State Patrol Trooper
Paid more than 57% of the 539 people with this job title that year. The median was $77,022.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
5 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Public Safety Dept Brainerd D 2800 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Crow Wing | $29.26 /hr | $17,442 | $79,069 |
| 2014 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $27.11 /hr | $22,119 | $78,116 |
| 2013 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $25.61 /hr | $8,149 | $60,270 |
| 2012 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $24.62 /hr | $11,580 | $60,823 |
| 2011 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $23.68 /hr | $970 | $21,944 |
The state reports one pay total per person per year, covering all of their positions, so it appears on one of that year’s lines and the others show no separate pay.
Highest paid in Public Safety Dept
FY 2015, amount paid
- Stainbrook, Quint A$146,728State Patrol Lieutenant
- Langer, Matthew C$144,973State Patrol Chief
- Rogotzke, Timothy J$142,258Planning Dir State
- Dunaski, Mark A$134,011Deputy Commr Public Safety
- Galili, Oded$132,630Information Syst Director
- Setter, Wade Ronald$132,116Superintendent BCA
- Dohman, Ramona L$128,072Commissioner-Public Safety
- McCormack, Patricia C$123,589Dir Driver & Vehicle Services
Highest paid as State Patrol Trooper
FY 2015, amount paid
- Gibbs, Patrick G.$123,445Public Safety Dept
- Michaels, Calvin A$121,528Public Safety Dept
- Wegner, Richard M$119,127Public Safety Dept
- Harms, Gary L$115,410Public Safety Dept
- Lautigar, Michael R$115,188Public Safety Dept
- Gorski, Paul J$114,349Public Safety Dept
- Schueler, Ricky P$112,268Public Safety Dept
- Erickson, Wade C$110,577Public Safety Dept