Thao, John
State Patrol TrooperPublic Safety DeptHennepin CountyFull-time
West Metro D 2500 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 2024 to FY 2026, pay went up 68% while consumer prices went up 6%. After inflation, pay is up 59% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $105,726 | +15.6% | +3.1% | +12.1% |
| FY 2025 | $91,488 | +45.2% | +2.6% | +41.4% |
| FY 2024 | $63,018 | — | — | — |
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 2026 · State Patrol Trooper
Paid more than 27% of the 601 people with this job title that year. The median was $121,008.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
3 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $45.38 /hr | $19,238 | $105,726 |
| 2025 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $40.59 /hr | $7,419 | $91,488 |
| 2024 | Public Safety Dept West Metro D 2500 Troopers | State Patrol Trooper Full-time | Hennepin | $37.37 /hr | $3,693 | $63,018 |
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 2026, amount paid
- Krambeer, Adam James$246,089State Patrol Trooper
- Barthel, Eric J$241,240State Patrol Captain
- Stricker, Paul G.$227,992State Patrol Trooper
- Engeldinger, Jason H$220,634State Patrol Captain
- Farmakes, John D$219,560State Patrol Lieutenant
- Yang, Dau Mong$207,791State Patrol Trooper
- Evans, Andrew W$206,747Superintendent BCA
- Erickson, Thomas Michael$205,456State Patrol Trooper
Highest paid as State Patrol Trooper
FY 2026, amount paid
- Krambeer, Adam James$246,089Public Safety Dept
- Stricker, Paul G.$227,992Public Safety Dept
- Yang, Dau Mong$207,791Public Safety Dept
- Erickson, Thomas Michael$205,456Public Safety Dept
- Thao, Michael$202,560Public Safety Dept
- Zehr, Scott C$197,239Public Safety Dept
- O'Shea, Christopher G$193,221Public Safety Dept
- Poptelecan, Daniil$188,316Public Safety Dept