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 2

Keith Bertram

Nr Specialist 3 Co Water Res Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$122,110

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 4-AHU
Base pay: $106,164
Overtime: $15,822
Other pay: $124
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,110
Hire date: 2000-04-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
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

Keith Bertram holds the role of Nr Specialist 3 Co Water Res Specialist at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 4-Ahu. They have served since 2000 (about 25 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $122,110. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Thomas Sutherland

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$122,079

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 2-District 7
Base pay: $109,314
Overtime: $12,185
Other pay: $580
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,079
Hire date: 2006-02-08
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

Thomas Sutherland works as a Nr Specialist 2 Co for Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 2-District 7. Their tenure dates to 2006, about 19 years as a full-time employee. Thomas earned $122,079 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Seth Goreham

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,613

Sub-department: F&W WLD Section Mgmt
Base pay: $118,799
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,814
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,613
Hire date: 2018-02-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Crow Wing

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

Seth Goreham is a State Program Administrative Manager Senior at Natural Resources Department within F&W Wld Section Management. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 7 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $121,613. They are represented by Manager.

Thomas Hutchins

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,429

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 1-District 2
Base pay: $106,026
Overtime: $14,666
Other pay: $737
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,429
Hire date: 2004-02-25
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

Thomas Hutchins works as a Nr Specialist 2 Co for Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 1-District 2. They have served since 2004 (about 21 years) as a full-time employee. Thomas earned $121,429 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Angela Aarhus-Ward

State Program Administrative Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,361

Sub-department: WL-R2 Staff
Base pay: $121,361
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,361
Hire date: 2005-03-02
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

Angela Aarhus-Ward works as a State Program Administrative Manager for Natural Resources Department within Wl-R2 Staff. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years as a full-time employee. Angela earned $121,361 in 2025. Union affiliation: Manager.

Tyler Ramaker

Nr Specialist 2 Co/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$121,310

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 3-Dist 18
Base pay: $94,612
Overtime: $24,963
Other pay: $1,735
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,310
Hire date: 2018-05-02
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tyler Ramaker is a Nr Specialist 2 Co at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 3-Dist 18. Hired in 2018, they have about 6 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $121,310. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Samantha Grover

Nr Section Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,291

Sub-department: FOR Operations
Base pay: $121,291
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,291
Hire date: 2009-05-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 18
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Samantha Grover holds the role of Nr Section Manager at Natural Resources Department within For Operations. Hired in 2009, they have about 16 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $121,291. Union affiliation: Manager.

Michael Warnke

Nr Forestry Administrative Supervisor/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,221

Sub-department: FOR Fire Prot Supv
Base pay: $116,533
Overtime: $3,388
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,221
Hire date: 1996-04-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 22
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: 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, Michael Warnke serves as a Nr Forestry Administrative Supervisor within For Fire Prot Supervisor. Hired in 1996, they have about 29 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $121,221. Their bargaining unit is Middle Management Association.

Nicole Davros

Nr Program Supervisor Senior Wild Research/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$121,092

Sub-department: WL-R4 Staff
Base pay: $116,534
Overtime: $2,314
Other pay: $2,244
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,092
Hire date: 2012-08-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 22
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Watonwan

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

Nicole Davros holds the role of Nr Program Supervisor Senior Wild Research at Natural Resources Department within Wl-R4 Staff. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 13 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $121,092. They are represented by Middle Management Association.

Lucas Belgard

Nr Specialist 3 Co Water Res Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$121,009

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 4
Base pay: $105,874
Overtime: $15,136
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,009
Hire date: 2012-08-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Lucas Belgard works as a Nr Specialist 3 Co Water Res Specialist for Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 4. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 12 years as a full-time employee. Lucas earned $121,009 in 2024. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Jamison Wendel

State Program Administrative Manager Senior/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$120,996

Sub-department: F&W Fisheries Mgt
Base pay: $118,103
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,893
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,996
Hire date: 2014-01-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 17
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jamison Wendel holds the role of State Program Administrative Manager Senior at Natural Resources Department within F&W Fisheries Management. Their tenure dates to 2014, about 10 years as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $120,996. They are represented by Manager.

Kerstin Larson

Real Estate Program Supervisor/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,895

Sub-department: L&M Real Estate Transactions
Base pay: $120,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,895
Hire date: 2009-03-09
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: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kerstin Larson holds the role of Real Estate Program Supervisor at Natural Resources Department within L&M Real Estate Transactions. Their tenure dates to 2009, about 16 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $120,895. Their bargaining unit is Middle Management Association.

Christopher Clayton

Communications Supervisor/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,895

Sub-department: OSD OCO Outreach & Education
Base pay: $120,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,895
Hire date: 2018-07-11
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: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Christopher Clayton is a Communications Supervisor at Natural Resources Department within Osd Oco Outreach & Education. They have served since 2018 (about 7 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $120,895. Their bargaining unit is Middle Management Association.

Gregory Snyder

State Program Administrative Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,895

Sub-department: FOR R1 Asst Reg Supv
Base pay: $120,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,895
Hire date: 2010-11-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
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: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Gregory Snyder works as a State Program Administrative Manager for Natural Resources Department within For R1 Assistant Reg Supervisor. Their tenure dates to 2010, about 15 years as a full-time employee. Gregory earned $120,895 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Neil Vanderbosch

State Program Administrative Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,895

Sub-department: Fish-R3 Asst Reg Supv
Base pay: $120,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,895
Hire date: 2002-09-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Neil Vanderbosch works as a State Program Administrative Manager for Natural Resources Department within Fish-R3 Assistant Reg Supervisor. Their tenure dates to 2002, about 23 years as a full-time employee. Neil earned $120,895 in 2025. Union affiliation: Manager.

Elizabeth Harper

State Program Administrative Manager/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,890

Sub-department: EcoWaters R3 RM Staff
Base pay: $120,890
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,890
Hire date: 1995-06-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Elizabeth Harper serves as a State Program Administrative Manager within Ecowaters R3 Rm Staff. Their tenure dates to 1995, about 30 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $120,890. Union affiliation: Manager.

Walker Wearne

Nr Forestry Program Coordinator/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,708

Sub-department: FOR Timber Section
Base pay: $103,958
Overtime: $13,491
Other pay: $3,259
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,708
Hire date: 2003-05-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
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

Walker Wearne is a Nr Forestry Program Coordinator at Natural Resources Department within For Timber Section. They have served since 2003 (about 22 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $120,708. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Gregory Kruse

Nr Assistant Division Director/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$120,571

Sub-department: OSD Operations Section
Base pay: $46,313
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $74,258
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,571
Hire date: 1988-07-06
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, 2024: No
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, Gregory Kruse serves as a Nr Assistant Division Director within Osd Operations Section. Hired in 1988, they have about 36 years of service, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $120,571. They are represented by Manager.

Aaron Wunrow

Nr Supervisor/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$120,558

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca
Base pay: $116,533
Overtime: $995
Other pay: $3,030
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,558
Hire date: 1991-06-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 22
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hubbard

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, Aaron Wunrow serves as a Nr Supervisor within Pat-R1 Itasca. Their tenure dates to 1991, about 34 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $120,558. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.