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 6

Matthew Klar

Nr Specialist Int Parks & Trails/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,608

Sub-department: PAT-R2 Banning Staff
Base pay: $58,144
Overtime: $2,464
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,608
Hire date: 2012-06-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
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: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Matthew Klar serves as a Nr Specialist Int Parks & Trails within Pat-R2 Banning Staff. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 13 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $60,608. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Kevin Mortensen

Laborer Trades & Equipment/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$60,587

Sub-department: F&W Roving Crew-Reg 3
Base pay: $56,274
Overtime: $3,041
Other pay: $1,271
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,587
Hire date: 2007-04-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 86
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kevin Mortensen holds the role of Laborer Trades & Equipment at Natural Resources Department within F&W Roving Crew-Reg 3. They have served since 2007 (about 17 years) as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $60,587. Union affiliation: Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Karen Frey

Retail Operations Supervisor/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,527

Sub-department: PAT-R2 GooseberryFalls Staff 1
Base pay: $40,185
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,342
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,527
Hire date: 1998-05-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Lake

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Karen Frey works as a Retail Operations Supervisor for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2 Gooseberryfalls Staff 1. They have served since 1998 (about 27 years) as a full-time employee. Karen earned $60,527 in 2025. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.

Jenna Johnson

Office & Administrative Specialist Int/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,525

Sub-department: ECO Waters R3 Northern Staff
Base pay: $50,695
Overtime: $7,550
Other pay: $2,279
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,525
Hire date: 2016-03-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Morrison

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jenna Johnson is a Office & Administrative Specialist Int at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters R3 Northern Staff. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,525. Union affiliation: Clerical.

Lucas Rosen

Research Analysis Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,481

Sub-department: For Cfm
Base pay: $60,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,481
Hire date: 2017-09-07
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Lucas Rosen serves as a Research Analysis Specialist within For Cfm. They have served since 2017 (about 8 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $60,481. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Erin Haws

Nr Specialist Fisheries/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,481

Sub-department: Fish-R1 Walker Staff
Base pay: $60,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,481
Hire date: 2015-06-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Cass

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

Erin Haws holds the role of Nr Specialist Fisheries at Natural Resources Department within Fish-R1 Walker Staff. They have served since 2015 (about 10 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,481. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sally Dybdal

State Program Administrative Director/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,467

Sub-department: OSD OMB Procurement Sups
Base pay: $23,681
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $36,785
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,467
Hire date: 1990-04-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 21
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: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 216
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Sally Dybdal works as a State Program Administrative Director for Natural Resources Department within Osd Omb Procurement Sups. Hired in 1990, they have about 35 years of service as a full-time employee. Sally earned $60,467 in 2025. Union affiliation: Middle Management Association.

Casey Reep

Laborer Trades & Equipment/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$60,445

Sub-department: F&W Roving Crew-Reg 4
Base pay: $54,997
Overtime: $4,811
Other pay: $638
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,445
Hire date: 2017-05-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 86
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Chippewa

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Casey Reep works as a Laborer Trades & Equipment for Natural Resources Department within F&W Roving Crew-Reg 4. They have served since 2017 (about 7 years) as a full-time employee. Casey earned $60,445 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Courtney Collison

Office & Administrative Specialist Senior/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,423

Sub-department: Enforcement-Reg 1
Base pay: $60,423
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,423
Hire date: 2014-09-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 64
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
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: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Courtney Collison holds the role of Office & Administrative Specialist Senior at Natural Resources Department within Enforcement-Reg 1. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,423. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Tina Brandenburg-Cermak

Customer Services Specialist Int/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,394

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca Camping
Base pay: $56,335
Overtime: $3,912
Other pay: $148
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,394
Hire date: 2003-04-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
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: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tina Brandenburg-Cermak is a Customer Services Specialist Int at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Itasca Camping. Their tenure dates to 2003, about 22 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,394. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Jacques Duquette

Laborer Trades & Equipment/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,375

Sub-department: F&W Roving Crew - NE
Base pay: $59,013
Overtime: $1,081
Other pay: $282
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,375
Hire date: 2022-10-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 86
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
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: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jacques Duquette is a Laborer Trades & Equipment at Natural Resources Department within F&W Roving Crew - NE. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,375. Their bargaining unit is Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Kyle Johnson

Nr Specialist Eco Services/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,339

Sub-department: ECO Waters County Bio Animals
Base pay: $60,339
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,339
Hire date: 2007-05-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
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

Kyle Johnson holds the role of Nr Specialist Eco Services at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters County Bio Animals. Their tenure dates to 2007, about 18 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,339. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Shawn Myers

General Repair Worker/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$60,307

Sub-department: PAT-R4 Sibley Asst
Base pay: $60,307
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,307
Hire date: 1997-09-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 87
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Kandiyohi

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Shawn Myers holds the role of General Repair Worker at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R4 Sibley Assistant. Their tenure dates to 1997, about 27 years as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $60,307. Their bargaining unit is Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Claudia Marquez-Aguirre

Human Resources Technician 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,285

Sub-department: OSD HR Transactions
Base pay: $60,040
Overtime: $245
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,285
Hire date: 2022-02-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 65
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

Claudia Marquez-Aguirre works as a Human Resources Technician 2 for Natural Resources Department within Osd HR Transactions. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. Claudia earned $60,285 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Confidential.

Shon Thelen

Nr Specialist Int Wl/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$60,268

Sub-department: WL-R4 TalcotLake/Slayton Staff
Base pay: $58,388
Overtime: $749
Other pay: $1,131
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,268
Hire date: 2014-04-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nobles

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

Shon Thelen works as a Nr Specialist Int Wl for Natural Resources Department within Wl-R4 Talcotlake/Slayton Staff. They have served since 2014 (about 11 years) as a full-time employee. Shon earned $60,268 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.