Minnesota / Natural Resources Department

Agency file

Natural Resources Department

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

The Natural Resources Department protects natural resources and the environment — conservation, parks and wildlife, and environmental regulation.

In 2025, this agency had 3,514 employees with median total compensation of $66,596; the highest distinct record was $240,971.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $226.7M
Employees: 3,514
Median total: $66,596
Highest record: $240,971

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$13$144,593+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 3,514 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($66,596) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $60,301 (93%)
Overtime — $2,673 (4%)
Other — $1,533 (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

$7,694

$27,483

$66,596

$95,167

$115,594

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $115,594 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $7,694. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Buildings & Grounds Worker

260 · $17,987

Parks & Trails Associate

198 · $14,362

Nr Specialist 2 Co

150 · $116,115

Laborer Trades & Equipment

90 · $46,497

Office & Administrative Specialist Int

82 · $51,468

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	$201.6M —	3,353 —	$62,927 —
2025	$226.7M ▲ 12.4%	3,514 ▲ 4.8%	$66,596 ▲ 5.8%

Record list

Employees

Page 3

Keith Reeves

Nr Area Supervisor Fisheries/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,508

Sub-department: Fish-R2 Tower
Base pay: $101,075
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,433
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,508
Hire date: 1990-10-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Keith Reeves serves as a Nr Area Supervisor Fisheries within Fish-R2 Tower. Hired in 1990, they have about 35 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $103,508. Their bargaining unit is Middle Management Association.

Daryl Ellison

Nr Area Supervisor Fisheries/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,508

Sub-department: Fish-R3 Metro West
Base pay: $101,075
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,433
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,508
Hire date: 1993-03-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Scott

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Daryl Ellison is a Nr Area Supervisor Fisheries at Natural Resources Department within Fish-R3 Metro West. Their tenure dates to 1993, about 32 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $103,508. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.

Greggory Root

State Program Administrative Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,323

Sub-department: EcoWaters R2 RM Staff
Base pay: $103,323
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,323
Hire date: 2016-10-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Itasca

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Greggory Root serves as a State Program Administrative Manager within Ecowaters R2 Rm Staff. They have served since 2016 (about 9 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $103,323. They are represented by Manager.

Michael Palmer

Nr Forestry Regional Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,226

Sub-department: FOR Wildlfire PreventionPermit
Base pay: $73,300
Overtime: $26,121
Other pay: $3,804
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,226
Hire date: 2015-08-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 12
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Isanti

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Michael Palmer works as a Nr Forestry Regional Specialist for Natural Resources Department within For Wildlfire Preventionpermit. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service as a full-time employee. Michael earned $103,226 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jennifer Reichensperger

Engineering Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,028

Sub-department: OSD MR Region 2 Engineers
Base pay: $95,071
Overtime: $6,119
Other pay: $1,839
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,028
Hire date: 2004-06-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Govt Engineers Council
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Lake

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 212
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jennifer Reichensperger works as a Engineering Specialist for Natural Resources Department within Osd Mr Region 2 Engineers. They have served since 2004 (about 21 years) as a full-time employee. Jennifer earned $103,028 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Govt Engineers Council.

David Schotzko

Nr Area Supervisor T & W/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,025

Sub-department: PAT-NW Region-Distict 2
Base pay: $101,078
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,946
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,025
Hire date: 1999-02-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

David Schotzko works as a Nr Area Supervisor T & W for Natural Resources Department within Pat-Nw Region-Distict 2. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service as a full-time employee. David earned $103,025 in 2025. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.

Tyler Hansen

Nr Technician Forestry/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$103,021

Sub-department: FOR R2 Sandstone Asst Staff
Base pay: $67,435
Overtime: $32,534
Other pay: $3,052
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,021
Hire date: 2014-05-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 66
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Pine

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tyler Hansen holds the role of Nr Technician Forestry at Natural Resources Department within For R2 Sandstone Assistant Staff. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $103,021. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Adam Landon

Research Scientist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,961

Sub-department: F&W Wild Research Program
Base pay: $102,766
Overtime: $196
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,961
Hire date: 2018-11-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Adam Landon is a Research Scientist 3 at Natural Resources Department within F&W Wild Research Program. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 7 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $102,961. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Nicholas Bartels

Nr Supervisor 3 Parks & Trails/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,922

Sub-department: PAT-R3 Afton
Base pay: $100,594
Overtime: $1,771
Other pay: $557
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,922
Hire date: 2008-05-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Washington

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nicholas Bartels is a Nr Supervisor 3 Parks & Trails at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R3 Afton. They have served since 2008 (about 17 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $102,922. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.

Matthew Paavola

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,903

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 3-District 14
Base pay: $85,478
Overtime: $17,426
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,903
Hire date: 2021-12-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Matthew Paavola serves as a Nr Specialist 2 Co within Enforcement-Reg 3-District 14. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $102,903. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Timothy Pharis

Nr Area Supervisor Wildlife/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,842

Sub-department: WL-R3 Vermillion River
Base pay: $101,466
Overtime: $1,362
Other pay: $14
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,842
Hire date: 1999-07-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Timothy Pharis holds the role of Nr Area Supervisor Wildlife at Natural Resources Department within Wl-R3 Vermillion River. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,842. They are represented by Middle Management Association.

Benjamin Ulrich

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,835

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 3-District 13
Base pay: $85,502
Overtime: $17,333
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,835
Hire date: 2021-12-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Benjamin Ulrich holds the role of Nr Specialist 2 Co at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 3-District 13. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,835. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Adam Doll

Nr Program Consultant/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,835

Sub-department: ECO Waters Invasive Species
Base pay: $102,683
Overtime: $152
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,835
Hire date: 2009-05-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
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: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Adam Doll is a Nr Program Consultant at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Invasive Species. Their tenure dates to 2009, about 16 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $102,835. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Xee Xiong

Training & Development Specialist 4/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,773

Sub-department: OSD HR OD & Training
Base pay: $102,773
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,773
Hire date: 2023-09-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Xee Xiong is a Training & Development Specialist 4 at Natural Resources Department within Osd HR Od & Training. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $102,773. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Jeremy Schmid

Engineering Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,719

Sub-department: OSD MR Region 4 Engineers
Base pay: $95,512
Overtime: $7,207
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,719
Hire date: 2000-04-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Govt Engineers Council
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Brown

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 212
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Jeremy Schmid serves as a Engineering Specialist within Osd Mr Region 4 Engineers. They have served since 2000 (about 25 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $102,719. Their bargaining unit is MN Govt Engineers Council.

Trent Anderson

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,708

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 2-District 6
Base pay: $85,506
Overtime: $17,202
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,708
Hire date: 2021-12-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Trent Anderson holds the role of Nr Specialist 2 Co at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 2-District 6. Hired in 2021, they have about 4 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,708. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Blair Olson

Nr Forestry Regional Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,512

Sub-department: FOR R1 Staff
Base pay: $82,418
Overtime: $10,819
Other pay: $9,276
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,512
Hire date: 2012-11-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 12
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Blair Olson serves as a Nr Forestry Regional Specialist within For R1 Staff. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $102,512. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jenifer Sorensen

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,484

Sub-department: ECO Waters Water&AqPlantPermit
Base pay: $102,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,484
Hire date: 2014-06-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jenifer Sorensen works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Water&Aqplantpermit. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. Jenifer earned $102,484 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Bridget Henning-Randa

Nr Program Consultant/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,484

Sub-department: ECO Waters Rare Resources
Base pay: $102,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,484
Hire date: 2020-04-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Bridget Henning-Randa is a Nr Program Consultant at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Rare Resources. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $102,484. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Mason Bulthuis

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,457

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 4-District 15
Base pay: $85,492
Overtime: $16,321
Other pay: $645
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,457
Hire date: 2021-12-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Mason Bulthuis holds the role of Nr Specialist 2 Co at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 4-District 15. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,457. Union affiliation: MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Kate Fairman

Planning Director State/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,452

Sub-department: ECO Waters EnvironmentalReview
Base pay: $102,452
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,452
Hire date: 2007-06-06
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 18
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.75
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kate Fairman holds the role of Planning Director State at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Environmentalreview. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service as a part-time, 0.75 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $102,452. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.