Minnesota / Agriculture Department

Agency file

Agriculture Department

Source file: Minnesota — State Employee Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Agriculture Department supports agriculture — farming, food safety, livestock, and rural development programs.

In 2025, this agency had 611 employees with median total compensation of $80,497; the highest distinct record was $178,228.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $44.2M
Employees: 611
Median total: $80,497
Highest record: $178,228

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$262$144,327+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 611 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($80,497) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $70,980 (98%)
Overtime — $268 (0%)
Other — $1,155 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$7,399

$55,828

$80,497

$97,734

$110,939

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $110,939 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $7,399. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Agricultural Technician

55 · $4,693

State Program Administrative Principal

40 · $92,505

Agricultural Advisor

39 · $83,785

Agricultural Consultant

36 · $97,736

State Program Administrative Senior

26 · $84,522

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2024	$40.5M —	561 —	$78,246 —
2025	$44.2M ▲ 9.1%	611 ▲ 8.9%	$80,497 ▲ 2.9%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Andrea Vaubel

Deputy Commr Agriculture/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$178,228

Sub-department: Deputy Commissioner
Base pay: $178,228
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $178,228
Hire date: 2013-01-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 26
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Andrea Vaubel holds the role of Deputy Commr Agriculture at Agriculture Department within Deputy Commissioner. Hired in 2013, they have about 12 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $178,228. Union affiliation: Manager.

Thomas Petersen

Commissioner-Agriculture/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$174,262

Sub-department: Commissioner
Base pay: $174,262
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $174,262
Hire date: 2019-01-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Thomas Petersen works as a Commissioner-Agriculture for Agriculture Department within Commissioner. They have served since 2019 (about 6 years) as a full-time employee. Thomas earned $174,262 in 2025. They are represented by Manager.

William Vanryswyk

Hydrologist 4/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$160,235

Sub-department: Monitoring Unit Supervisor
Base pay: $109,712
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $50,523
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $160,235
Hire date: 1992-04-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 23
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

William Vanryswyk holds the role of Hydrologist 4 at Agriculture Department within Monitoring Unit Supervisor. They have served since 1992 (about 33 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $160,235. They are represented by Middle Management Association.

Patrice Bailey

Assistant Commr Agriculture/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$158,879

Sub-department: Asst Commissioner Regulatory
Base pay: $158,879
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,879
Hire date: 2017-02-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 24
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Patrice Bailey is a Assistant Commr Agriculture at Agriculture Department within Assistant Commissioner Regulatory. They have served since 2017 (about 8 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $158,879. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Peder Kjeseth

Assistant Commr Agriculture/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$158,879

Sub-department: Asst Commissioner Non-Reg
Base pay: $158,879
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,879
Hire date: 2019-01-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 24
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Peder Kjeseth holds the role of Assistant Commr Agriculture at Agriculture Department within Assistant Commissioner Non-Reg. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $158,879. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Julie Sis

Agency Chief Financial Officer/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$158,565

Sub-department: Finance & Budget Director
Base pay: $154,838
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,727
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $158,565
Hire date: 2011-12-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 22
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Julie Sis holds the role of Agency Chief Financial Officer at Agriculture Department within Finance & Budget Director. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $158,565. Union affiliation: Manager.

Justin Peck

Management Analyst 3/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$150,663

Sub-department: Human Resources Staff
Base pay: $84,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $65,870
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,663
Hire date: 2022-01-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 10
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Agriculture Department, Justin Peck serves as a Management Analyst 3 within Human Resources Staff. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $150,663. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Douglas Spanier

General Counsel 1/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$149,455

Sub-department: Legal Services Manager
Base pay: $149,455
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,455
Hire date: 1995-10-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 21
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Douglas Spanier is a General Counsel 1 at Agriculture Department within Legal Services Manager. They have served since 1995 (about 30 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $149,455. Union affiliation: Manager.

Paul Hugunin

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$147,801

Sub-department: AMDD Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,474
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,801
Hire date: 1988-06-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Paul Hugunin works as a State Program Administrative Manager Principal for Agriculture Department within Amdd Director. Hired in 1988, they have about 37 years of service as a full-time employee. Paul earned $147,801 in 2025. They are represented by Manager.

Katherine Simon

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: Food & Feed Safety Div Dir
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2006-11-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Katherine Simon works as a State Program Administrative Manager Principal for Agriculture Department within Food & Feed Safety Division Director. Hired in 2006, they have about 19 years of service as a full-time employee. Katherine earned $144,327 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Bryanne Bindert

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: Lab Services Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2008-08-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Agriculture Department, Bryanne Bindert serves as a State Program Administrative Manager Principal within Lab Services Director. Their tenure dates to 2008, about 17 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,327. Union affiliation: Manager.

Joshua Stamper

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: PFMD Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2011-02-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Joshua Stamper is a State Program Administrative Manager Principal at Agriculture Department within Pfmd Director. Their tenure dates to 2011, about 14 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $144,327. Union affiliation: Manager.

Allen Sommerfeld

Communications Manager 2/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: Communications Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2007-09-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Agriculture Department, Allen Sommerfeld serves as a Communications Manager 2 within Communications Director. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,327. They are represented by Manager.

Nicole Neeser

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: D&M Inspection Division Dir
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2003-09-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nicole Neeser holds the role of State Program Administrative Manager Principal at Agriculture Department within D&M Inspection Division Director. Their tenure dates to 2003, about 22 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $144,327. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Mark Abrahamson

State Program Administrative Manager Principal/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: PPD Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 1999-08-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Mark Abrahamson is a State Program Administrative Manager Principal at Agriculture Department within PPD Director. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $144,327. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Amanda Papenguth

Human Resources Director 3/Agriculture Department

2025 total comp

$144,327

Sub-department: Human Resources Director
Base pay: $144,327
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,327
Hire date: 2001-03-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: B04
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Amanda Papenguth works as a Human Resources Director 3 for Agriculture Department within Human Resources Director. Their tenure dates to 2001, about 24 years as a full-time employee. Amanda earned $144,327 in 2025. They are represented by Manager.