Minnesota / Public Safety Department

Agency file

Public Safety Department

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

The Public Safety Department provides law enforcement and public safety — patrol, criminal investigation, and emergency response.

In 2025, this agency had 2,398 employees with median total compensation of $76,256; the highest distinct record was $236,646.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $194.2M
Employees: 2,398
Median total: $76,256
Highest record: $236,646

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$424$171,977+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 2,398 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($76,256) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $74,143 (92%)
Overtime — $5,197 (6%)
Other — $1,664 (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

$31,214

$53,566

$76,256

$111,341

$132,437

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $132,437 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $31,214. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

State Patrol Trooper

586 · $117,190

Dvs Exam & Inspector Specialist

182 · $49,270

Office & Administrative Specialist Int

103 · $53,385

Office & Administrative Specialist Senior

99 · $60,076

Customer Services Specialist Int

85 · $44,114

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	$166.2M —	2,183 —	$72,953 —
2025	$194.2M ▲ 16.9%	2,398 ▲ 9.8%	$76,256 ▲ 4.5%

Record list

Employees

Page 2

Scott Smith

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$138,420

Sub-department: Patrol Investigative Unit
Base pay: $115,495
Overtime: $15,845
Other pay: $7,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,420
Hire date: 2012-01-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Scott Smith holds the role of State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within Patrol Investigative Unit. Hired in 2012, they have about 13 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $138,420. Union affiliation: MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Brett Stricker

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$138,294

Sub-department: Air Patrol Surveilance
Base pay: $121,555
Overtime: $16,055
Other pay: $683
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,294
Hire date: 2015-01-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Brett Stricker serves as a State Patrol Trooper within Air Patrol Surveilance. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $138,294. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Nicholas Robertson

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$138,099

Sub-department: Thief River Falls D3200 Troope
Base pay: $116,176
Overtime: $19,221
Other pay: $2,702
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,099
Hire date: 1999-01-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Pennington

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nicholas Robertson is a State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within Thief River Falls D3200 Troope. They have served since 1999 (about 26 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $138,099. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

David Johnston

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$138,062

Sub-department: State Patrol Training Team 1
Base pay: $114,498
Overtime: $23,564
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,062
Hire date: 2004-01-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Morrison

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

David Johnston holds the role of State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within State Patrol Training Team 1. Their tenure dates to 2004, about 21 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $138,062. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Darin Vossen

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,944

Sub-department: St Cloud D 2600 Troopers
Base pay: $107,818
Overtime: $30,127
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,944
Hire date: 2007-05-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Darin Vossen works as a State Patrol Trooper for Public Safety Department within St Cloud D 2600 Troopers. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service as a full-time employee. Darin earned $137,944 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Kelly Phillips

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,717

Sub-department: Patrol Investigative Unit
Base pay: $116,185
Overtime: $16,386
Other pay: $5,147
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,717
Hire date: 2004-09-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kelly Phillips is a State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within Patrol Investigative Unit. Their tenure dates to 2004, about 21 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $137,717. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Bryan Mielke

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,660

Sub-department: CVI Mobile&Fixed 2200,2300
Base pay: $114,498
Overtime: $23,162
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,660
Hire date: 2008-08-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Bryan Mielke serves as a State Patrol Trooper within Cvi Mobile&Fixed 2200,2300. They have served since 2008 (about 17 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $137,660. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Ellissa Schmidt

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,614

Sub-department: State Patrol Training Team 2
Base pay: $114,498
Overtime: $23,116
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,614
Hire date: 2013-03-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ellissa Schmidt is a State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within State Patrol Training Team 2. They have served since 2013 (about 12 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $137,614. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Joseph Setnes

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,591

Sub-department: Brainerd D 2800 Troopers
Base pay: $106,447
Overtime: $28,493
Other pay: $2,652
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,591
Hire date: 2014-01-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Crow Wing

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Joseph Setnes holds the role of State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within Brainerd D 2800 Troopers. Their tenure dates to 2014, about 11 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $137,591. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Tomasz Krolak

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$137,503

Sub-department: CVI Mobile & Fixed Metro
Base pay: $114,498
Overtime: $21,706
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,503
Hire date: 2013-10-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tomasz Krolak works as a State Patrol Trooper for Public Safety Department within Cvi Mobile & Fixed Metro. Hired in 2013, they have about 12 years of service as a full-time employee. Tomasz earned $137,503 in 2025. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Anthony Nelson

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$136,955

Sub-department: Capitol Sec Complex Troopers 2
Base pay: $111,708
Overtime: $25,248
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,955
Hire date: 2015-01-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Anthony Nelson works as a State Patrol Trooper for Public Safety Department within Capitol Secretary Complex Troopers 2. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years as a full-time employee. Anthony earned $136,955 in 2025. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Jacob Ristau

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$136,901

Sub-department: Rochester D2100 Troopers
Base pay: $108,342
Overtime: $28,559
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,901
Hire date: 2017-01-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jacob Ristau works as a State Patrol Trooper for Public Safety Department within Rochester D2100 Troopers. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 8 years as a full-time employee. Jacob earned $136,901 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Timothy Nibbelink

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$136,684

Sub-department: Rochester D2100 Troopers
Base pay: $103,639
Overtime: $7,813
Other pay: $25,231
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,684
Hire date: 1999-01-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Timothy Nibbelink works as a State Patrol Trooper for Public Safety Department within Rochester D2100 Troopers. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service as a full-time employee. Timothy earned $136,684 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Richard Harjes

State Patrol Lieutenant/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$136,532

Sub-department: State Patrol Technician Operations
Base pay: $116,606
Overtime: $4,431
Other pay: $15,495
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,532
Hire date: 2015-01-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: LELS U18 Lic Pce Officer Specl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 228
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Richard Harjes is a State Patrol Lieutenant at Public Safety Department within State Patrol Technician Operations. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $136,532. Union affiliation: LELS U18 Lic Pce Officer Specl.