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

Clare Croteau

Interpret Naturalist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,793

Sub-department: PAT-NERegion-StrategicPrograms
Base pay: $84,466
Overtime: $327
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,793
Hire date: 2015-06-08
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: St Louis

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

Clare Croteau is a Interpret Naturalist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Pat-Neregion-Strategicprograms. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,793. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sheri Karpenko

State Program Administrative Principal/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,788

Sub-department: OSD OMB Procurement Staff
Base pay: $84,788
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,788
Hire date: 1993-10-12
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

Sheri Karpenko holds the role of State Program Administrative Principal at Natural Resources Department within Osd Omb Procurement Staff. Hired in 1993, they have about 32 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $84,788. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Heidi Cyr

State Program Administrative Senior/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,782

Sub-department: ECO Waters Rare Resources
Base pay: $84,782
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,782
Hire date: 2008-05-14
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, Heidi Cyr serves as a State Program Administrative Senior within Eco Waters Rare Resources. Their tenure dates to 2008, about 17 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,782. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

John Papenfuhs Ii

Electrician Master Record/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,779

Sub-department: PAT-R2 St Croix Staff
Base pay: $84,779
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,779
Hire date: 2022-04-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 97
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
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: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, John Papenfuhs Ii serves as a Electrician Master Record within Pat-R2 St Croix Staff. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,779. They are represented by Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Pauline Arnst

Accounting Officer Senior/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$84,752

Sub-department: OSD OP R4 Bus Office Staff
Base pay: $84,084
Overtime: $668
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,752
Hire date: 1995-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Brown

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Pauline Arnst holds the role of Accounting Officer Senior at Natural Resources Department within Osd Op R4 Bus Office Staff. Their tenure dates to 1995, about 29 years as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $84,752. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Kirby Readman

Nr Forestry Specialist Senior/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,748

Sub-department: FOR R2 Little Fork Staff
Base pay: $79,873
Overtime: $833
Other pay: $4,042
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,748
Hire date: 2007-04-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Koochiching

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, Kirby Readman serves as a Nr Forestry Specialist Senior within For R2 Little Fork Staff. They have served since 2007 (about 18 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,748. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Joshua Koelsch

Nr Specialist Senior Wl/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,728

Sub-department: WL-R2 Cloquet/Duluth Staff
Base pay: $82,786
Overtime: $1,408
Other pay: $533
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,728
Hire date: 2013-09-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

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

Joshua Koelsch is a Nr Specialist Senior Wl at Natural Resources Department within Wl-R2 Cloquet/Duluth Staff. Their tenure dates to 2013, about 12 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,728. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Brian Brown

Electrician/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,690

Sub-department: PAT-R2 Soudan Mine Staff 1
Base pay: $82,286
Overtime: $2,139
Other pay: $265
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,690
Hire date: 2005-12-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 96
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
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: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Brian Brown is a Electrician at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2 Soudan Mine Staff 1. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,690. Their bargaining unit is Craft, Maintenance, Labor.

Cynthia Warzecha

Planner Principal State/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$84,677

Sub-department: ECO Waters EnvironmentalReview
Base pay: $72,694
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,983
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,677
Hire date: 2014-10-20
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, 2024: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Cynthia Warzecha works as a Planner Principal State for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Environmentalreview. Hired in 2014, they have about 10 years of service as a full-time employee. Cynthia earned $84,677 in 2024. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jolene Soltis

Nr Technician/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,663

Sub-department: FOR Protection Fire Mgt
Base pay: $50,389
Overtime: $29,861
Other pay: $4,413
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,663
Hire date: 2001-06-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
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: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Jolene Soltis serves as a Nr Technician within For Protection Fire Management. Hired in 2001, they have about 24 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,663. Their bargaining unit is Technical.

Wesley Habedank

Nr Forestry Specialist Int/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,656

Sub-department: FOR R2 Cloquet Staff
Base pay: $78,893
Overtime: $4,270
Other pay: $1,492
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,656
Hire date: 2005-09-19
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: St Louis

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

Wesley Habedank works as a Nr Forestry Specialist Int for Natural Resources Department within For R2 Cloquet Staff. Hired in 2005, they have about 20 years of service as a full-time employee. Wesley earned $84,656 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Colten Vanzee

Hydrologist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,643

Sub-department: ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3
Base pay: $83,070
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,574
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,643
Hire date: 2013-05-13
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: Becker

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

Colten Vanzee is a Hydrologist 2 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Field Mon Operations 3. They have served since 2013 (about 12 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,643. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Wesley Saunders-Pearce

Nr Area Hydrologist/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$84,622

Sub-department: ECO WatersR3 South APP Staff
Base pay: $84,622
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,622
Hire date: 2000-05-15
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, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Wesley Saunders-Pearce works as a Nr Area Hydrologist for Natural Resources Department within Eco Watersr3 South App Staff. Hired in 2000, they have about 24 years of service as a full-time employee. Wesley earned $84,622 in 2024. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Kathryn Holcomb

Nr Program Supervisor Int-Eco Resources/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,567

Sub-department: ECO Waters Stream Habitat
Base pay: $84,567
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,567
Hire date: 2022-04-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 20
Union / bargaining unit: Middle Management Association
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Goodhue

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, Kathryn Holcomb serves as a Nr Program Supervisor Int-Eco Resources within Eco Waters Stream Habitat. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,567. They are represented by Middle Management Association.

Jeremy Schmid

Nr Technician Forestry/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,417

Sub-department: FOR R2 Hibbing Asst Staff
Base pay: $59,460
Overtime: $20,041
Other pay: $4,917
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,417
Hire date: 2017-05-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 66
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
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: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Jeremy Schmid serves as a Nr Technician Forestry within For R2 Hibbing Assistant Staff. They have served since 2017 (about 8 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,417. Union affiliation: Technical.

Daniel Etter

Mine Hoist & Maintenance Worker/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$84,391

Sub-department: PAT-R2 Soudan Mine Staff 1
Base pay: $77,237
Overtime: $6,932
Other pay: $222
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,391
Hire date: 2022-05-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 95
Union / bargaining unit: Craft, Maintenance, Labor
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: 202
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Daniel Etter holds the role of Mine Hoist & Maintenance Worker at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2 Soudan Mine Staff 1. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $84,391. Union affiliation: Craft, Maintenance, Labor.