How much do Minnesota public employees make?

Typical pay counts everyone paid during 2025. Poll workers and other short, seasonal roles (typical pay under $5,000) are listed last. Select an employer for jobs, names and more.

• Minnesota State Colleges & Universities17,302 people$62,477
• Transportation Department6,013 people$74,870
• Ramsey County5,982 people$64,272
• Direct Care and Treatment Dept5,444 people$71,033
• Corrections Dept4,968 people$73,276
• Natural Resources Department3,521 people$66,551
• Trial Courts3,107 people$61,916
• Human Services Dept3,082 people$78,093
• Minnesota IT Services3,020 people$123,234
• Public Safety Department2,407 people$76,256
• Health Department2,229 people$90,219
• Veterans Affairs Department2,033 people$55,751
• Employment & Economic Development Department1,727 people$76,813
• Revenue Department1,626 people$76,462
• Pollution Control Agency1,191 people$83,887
• Public Defense Board1,087 people$99,952
• Children Youth & Families Dept828 people$93,327
• Labor & Industry Dept686 people$87,888
• Administration Dept609 people$71,003
• Agriculture Dept606 people$81,092
• Supreme Court577 people$85,032
• Education Department530 people$101,078
• Military Affairs Dept511 people$61,018
• Attorney General's Office492 people$77,636
• Minnesota Zoological Garden485 people$46,651
• Commerce Dept475 people$84,617
• Minnesota Management & Budget410 people$96,345
• Housing Finance Agency348 people$94,456
• Guardian ad Litem Board305 people$50,236
• Senate294 people$61,187
• Minnesota State Academies252 people$46,488
• MNsure220 people$60,269
• Lottery179 people$73,168
• Minnesota State Retirement System153 people$84,324
• Water & Soil Resources Board142 people$97,734
• Legislative Coordinating Comm142 people$88,126
• Public Employees Retirement Association142 people$78,068
• Secretary of State133 people$69,205
• Court of Appeals110 people$67,471
• Cannabis Management Office107 people$62,809
• Teachers Retirement Association104 people$86,462
• Office of Higher Education96 people$86,650
• State Auditor92 people$82,941
• Administrative Hearings85 people$80,929
• Public Utilities Commission84 people$95,356
• Governor's Office82 people$73,470
• Perpich Center for Arts Education81 people$70,174
• Legislative Auditor76 people$99,117
• Human Rights Dept61 people$79,080
• Investment Board60 people$125,287
• Gambling Control Board52 people$73,536
• Iron Range Resources & Rehab52 people$90,664
• Racing Commission52 people$5,593
• Animal Health Board48 people$81,069
• Explore Minnesota Tourism47 people$74,697
• State Competency Attainment Board46 people$76,960
• Nursing Board45 people$64,917
• Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board29 people$74,201
• Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities26 people$93,007
• Pharmacy Board25 people$83,140
• Medical Practice Board25 people$56,835
• Cosmetologist Exam Board24 people$56,451
• Arts Board22 people$65,334
• Dentistry Board21 people$57,437
• Psychology Board18 people$75,838
• Bureau of Mediation Services18 people$123,881
• Social Work Board16 people$54,906
• Peace Officers Board - POST16 people$93,816
• Public Facilities Authority14 people$97,734
• Emergency Medical Services Office14 people$98,406
• Disability Council13 people$75,235
• Explore Minnesota12 people$79,773
• Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals12 people$121,456
• Cannabis Expungement Board11 people$68,532
• Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board11 people$59,493
• Tax Court10 people$59,611
• Nursing Home Admin Board10 people · 2021 pay, the latest published$48,953
• Indian Affairs Council10 people$67,586
• Architecture, Engineering Board9 people$52,081
• Private Detective Board8 people$48,008
• Chiropractors Board7 people$41,783
• Ombudsperson for Corrections7 people$82,785
• Climate Innovation Finance Authority7 people$116,472
• Sentencing Guidelines Commission7 people$96,513
• Accountancy Board7 people$68,672
• Foster Youth Ombudsperson6 people$74,472
• Board of Teaching6 people · 2017 pay, the latest published$80,078
• Behavioral Health & Therapy Bd6 people$58,054
• Latino Affairs Council6 people$54,523
• African Heritage Council6 people$81,183
• Ombudsperson for Families6 people$107,184
• Capitol Area Architect5 people$31,993
• Physical Therapy Board4 people$62,057
• Board of Executives for Long Term Services & Supports4 people$81,565
• Asian-Pacific Council4 people$81,808
• LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans Council4 people$48,605
• Barber Examiners Board3 people$56,103
• Occupational Therapy Practice Board3 people$69,710
• Amateur Sports Comm3 people$97,734
• Rare Disease Advisory Council3 people$67,676
• Judicial Standards Board3 people$71,373
• Marriage & Family Therapy3 people$66,946
• Veterinary Medicine Board2 people$92,417
• Optometry Board2 people$62,685
• Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Board2 people$33,867
• Ombud American Indian Families2 people$64,868
• Dietetics & Nutrition Practice2 people$75,394
• Higher Ed Facilities Authority2 people$127,119
• Podiatric Medicine Board1 people$112,504
• Sema4 Conversion Agency1 people · 2018 pay, the latest published$2,984

No employers match.

Pay by type of employer

Typical pay for everyone paid, grouped by the kind of employer. Select a type to see each employer.

• State government51,835 people · 105 employers$76,256

State agencies by what they do

• State health agencies7,936 people · 6 agencies$75,849
• State courts and legal offices5,852 people · 13 agencies$71,962
• State environment and natural resources agencies5,508 people · 5 agencies$73,418
• State social services agencies3,937 people · 6 agencies$82,196
• State administration and technology agencies3,634 people · 3 agencies$112,305
• State police and public safety2,934 people · 3 agencies$71,601
• State revenue and finance agencies2,775 people · 10 agencies$79,605
• State labor and workforce agencies2,431 people · 3 agencies$79,177
• State regulation and licensing agencies1,045 people · 28 agencies$75,958
• State education agencies961 people · 5 agencies$81,202
• State legislature512 people · 3 agencies$76,586
• State economic development and housing agencies459 people · 4 agencies$94,452

What stands out in Minnesota

Employers whose pay looks different from others like them, with the comparison spelled out.

• +4.7%

  People paid by Minnesota IT Services in both 2024 and 2025 saw their pay change by a typical +4.7%.

  Usual among the 10 other state agencies in Minnesota in our data: +8.0%.

  Minnesota IT Services →

• 8¢

  Of every dollar Veterans Affairs Department paid in 2025, about 8 cents was overtime.

  Usual among the 6 other state agencies in Minnesota in our data: about 3 cents. Highest of 7.

  Veterans Affairs Department →

Typical pay for each job in Minnesota, 2025. Select a job to see where people do it and how pay varies.

• Information Technology Specialist3,129 people · 15 employers$112,305
• Community College Faculty3,119 people$76,726
• Technician College Faculty2,807 people$21,085
• Corr Officer2,286 people$70,631
• State University Faculty2,185 people$105,302
• Transportation Generalist1,385 people$63,783
• State Univ Adjuct Unit1,309 people$12,515
• Human Services Program Representative1,106 people · 3 employers$87,888
• Office and Admin Specialist Int1,082 people · 66 employers$52,752
• Management Analyst1,034 people · 45 employers$74,436
• Behavior Modification Assistant1,015 people · 2 employers$63,429
• Jud Court Operations Associate1,007 people · 2 employers$47,556
• General Maintenance Worker976 people · 14 employers$46,202
• Human Services Technician972 people · 5 employers$47,189
• Mnscu Academic Professional954 people$68,778
• Office and Admin Specialist Senior923 people · 54 employers$59,804
• Security Counselor751 people · 2 employers$63,726
• State Program Admin Prin666 people · 39 employers$91,205
• Registered Nurse643 people · 7 employers$91,268
• Clinical Program Therapist614 people · 5 employers$82,930
• Public Defense Assistant Attorney597 people$110,528
• State Patrol Trooper588 people$117,064
• Transportation Generalist Senior531 people$70,961
• State Program Admin Coordinator498 people · 41 employers$107,136

No jobs match.

Pay by job group

Typical pay for related jobs grouped together, such as police, fire and security. Select a group to see each job.

• Office and administrative support8,347 people · 49 jobs$51,787
• Teachers and librarians7,942 people · 13 jobs$68,059
• Business and finance jobs6,486 people · 52 jobs$78,455
• Social work and counseling6,204 people · 54 jobs$72,586
• Police, fire and security4,090 people · 22 jobs$76,123
• Computer and IT jobs3,516 people · 6 jobs$115,872
• Science jobs2,724 people · 33 jobs$83,880
• Managers2,391 people · 29 jobs$122,944
• Construction and trades2,298 people · 8 jobs$64,832
• Legal jobs2,242 people · 18 jobs$93,870
• Doctors, nurses and health professionals2,070 people · 23 jobs$91,117
• Cleaning and grounds1,663 people · 7 jobs$42,935
• Engineers and architects1,343 people · 9 jobs$106,445
• Healthcare support1,320 people · 7 jobs$58,020
• Maintenance and repair817 people · 13 jobs$69,909
• Arts, media and sports771 people · 7 jobs$77,425

Highest paid in Minnesota state government, 2025

1. 1Frances BroghammerPsychiatrist 3 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$619,348
2. 2Shabeer AhmedPsychiatrist 3 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$615,902
3. 3Eve Charity BerryhillChild and Adole Psychiatrist · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$614,592
4. 4David Jerome MachPsychiatrist 2 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$598,718
5. 5Salima NaqviPsychiatrist 2 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$532,879
6. 6Jill Ellen SchurtzExecutive Director Investment Bd · Investment Board$530,631
7. 7Kyleeann Sophia StevensPsychiatrist 5 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$522,659
8. 8Matthew R. KrusePsychiatrist 3 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$514,382
9. 9Soniya HirachanPsychiatrist 4 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$489,416
10. 10Frederick W HoutsPsychiatrist 3 · Direct Care and Treatment Dept$488,745

Highest paid Ramsey County employees, 2025

1. 1Ka Youa VangEligibility Specialist Senior · Ramsey County$274,974
2. 2Andrew R. K. JohnsonAssistant County Attorney-Senior · Ramsey County$264,874
3. 3Pa K VangCorr Officer 2 Gen'l duty · Ramsey County$262,743
4. 4Ling C BeckerCounty Manager - (Unclassified) · Ramsey County$257,567
5. 5Lynne OgawaMedical Director-Uncl · Ramsey County$257,191
6. 6Lisa Michelle ThompsonAssistant County Attorney-Senior · Ramsey County$248,184
7. 7Kong P YangCorr Officer 2 Gen'l duty · Ramsey County$242,126
8. 8Teresa Jean KinneDeputy Sheriff · Ramsey County$241,484
9. 9Richard M ClarkDeputy Sheriff Commander · Ramsey County$238,072
10. 10Yer VangDeputy Sheriff · Ramsey County$232,419

Where this data comes from

• Minnesota Management and Budget

  Years we cover: 2016–2025 · Matches the agency's latest release

  Official website: mn.gov ↗

• Ramsey County (Finance)

  Years we cover: 2021–2025 · Matches the agency's latest release

  Official website: ramseycounty.us ↗

Common questions