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 4

Trish Diersen

Criminal Intelligence Analyst/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$87,006

Sub-department: Bca Cios #4
Base pay: $70,775
Overtime: $15,983
Other pay: $249
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,006
Hire date: 2008-02-11
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Trish Diersen serves as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst within Bca Cios #4. Hired in 2008, they have about 17 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $87,006. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Sonya Borgeson-Bethke

Grants Specialist Senior/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,965

Sub-department: Fire Business Support Services
Base pay: $81,837
Overtime: $5,128
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,965
Hire date: 2019-06-17
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: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Sonya Borgeson-Bethke holds the role of Grants Specialist Senior at Public Safety Department within Fire Business Support Services. They have served since 2019 (about 6 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,965. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Heather Santilli-Wagner

Radio Communications Operator/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,894

Sub-department: Roch Region Comm Cntr Team 2
Base pay: $74,048
Overtime: $10,402
Other pay: $2,444
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,894
Hire date: 2018-05-30
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 70
Union / bargaining unit: LELS U17 Public Safety RCO
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: 227
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Heather Santilli-Wagner works as a Radio Communications Operator for Public Safety Department within Roch Region Community Center Team 2. They have served since 2018 (about 7 years) as a full-time employee. Heather earned $86,894 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is LELS U17 Public Safety RCO.

Kaycee Loop

Radio Communications Operator/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,851

Sub-department: Roch Region Comm Team 1
Base pay: $72,151
Overtime: $12,874
Other pay: $1,826
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,851
Hire date: 2023-09-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 70
Union / bargaining unit: LELS U17 Public Safety RCO
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: 227
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kaycee Loop holds the role of Radio Communications Operator at Public Safety Department within Roch Region Community Team 1. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,851. They are represented by LELS U17 Public Safety RCO.

Ashley Scharffbillig

State Program Administrative Coordinator/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,819

Sub-department: Fas Procurement Team
Base pay: $86,819
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,819
Hire date: 2005-11-04
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ashley Scharffbillig is a State Program Administrative Coordinator at Public Safety Department within Fas Procurement Team. Hired in 2005, they have about 20 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,819. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Daniel Orth

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,787

Sub-department: Patrol Investigative Unit
Base pay: $63,222
Overtime: $7,152
Other pay: $16,413
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,787
Hire date: 2003-06-18
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: No
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 201
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Daniel Orth is a State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within Patrol Investigative Unit. Their tenure dates to 2003, about 22 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,787. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Kara Kreutzer

Human Resources Consultant 1/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,778

Sub-department: Human Resources Staffing
Base pay: $86,778
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,778
Hire date: 2011-08-22
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.8
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kara Kreutzer holds the role of Human Resources Consultant 1 at Public Safety Department within Human Resources Staffing. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years) as a part-time, 0.8 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,778. Union affiliation: Confidential.

Emery Forsythe

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,745

Sub-department: West Metro D 2500 Troopers
Base pay: $81,973
Overtime: $4,773
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,745
Hire date: 2023-08-07
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

At Public Safety Department, Emery Forsythe serves as a State Patrol Trooper within West Metro D 2500 Troopers. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,745. Their bargaining unit is MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Justin Armstrong

Radio Communications Operator/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,743

Sub-department: Reg Trans Mgmt Center Team 3
Base pay: $75,182
Overtime: $10,825
Other pay: $736
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,743
Hire date: 2021-06-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 70
Union / bargaining unit: LELS U17 Public Safety RCO
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: 227
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Justin Armstrong works as a Radio Communications Operator for Public Safety Department within Reg Transportation Management Center Team 3. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years as a full-time employee. Justin earned $86,743 in 2025. They are represented by LELS U17 Public Safety RCO.

Louis Biondo Jr

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,724

Sub-department: East Metro D 2400 Troopers
Base pay: $81,599
Overtime: $5,125
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,724
Hire date: 2023-08-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Washington

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

Louis Biondo Jr is a State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within East Metro D 2400 Troopers. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,724. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Dan Kerwin

State Program Administrative Senior/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,666

Sub-department: DVS Driver Services
Base pay: $81,178
Overtime: $5,488
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,666
Hire date: 2001-06-08
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: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Dan Kerwin is a State Program Administrative Senior at Public Safety Department within Dvs Driver Services. Hired in 2001, they have about 24 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,666. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Nicholas Selness

Radio Communications Operator/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,620

Sub-department: Reg Trans Mgmt Center Team 3
Base pay: $82,291
Overtime: $4,210
Other pay: $119
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,620
Hire date: 2012-02-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 70
Union / bargaining unit: LELS U17 Public Safety RCO
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: 227
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Nicholas Selness serves as a Radio Communications Operator within Reg Transportation Management Center Team 3. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 13 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,620. Their bargaining unit is LELS U17 Public Safety RCO.

Eric Sundby

Law Compliance Representative 2/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,598

Sub-department: CVI Training
Base pay: $78,063
Overtime: $8,516
Other pay: $19
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,598
Hire date: 1996-06-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 70
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
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: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Eric Sundby serves as a Law Compliance Representative 2 within Cvi Training. Hired in 1996, they have about 29 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,598. They are represented by Technical.

Sebastian Rouanet

Staff Attorney 2/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,517

Sub-department: Bca Legal Services
Base pay: $86,517
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,517
Hire date: 2018-01-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 19
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Sebastian Rouanet is a Staff Attorney 2 at Public Safety Department within Bca Legal Services. They have served since 2018 (about 7 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,517. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Michelle Nelson

Forensic Scientist 2/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,462

Sub-department: Bca Lab Biology 3
Base pay: $86,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,462
Hire date: 2015-12-02
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Michelle Nelson holds the role of Forensic Scientist 2 at Public Safety Department within Bca Lab Biology 3. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,462. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Travis Melland

Forensic Scientist 2/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,462

Sub-department: Bca Lab I&M 2
Base pay: $86,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,462
Hire date: 2015-09-09
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Travis Melland works as a Forensic Scientist 2 for Public Safety Department within Bca Lab I&M 2. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years as a full-time employee. Travis earned $86,462 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Niki Anderson

Planner Senior Community/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,424

Sub-department: HSEM RESP, REC & Mitigation
Base pay: $83,021
Overtime: $3,403
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,424
Hire date: 2023-01-18
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: Anoka

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Niki Anderson is a Planner Senior Community at Public Safety Department within Hsem Resp, Recreation & Mitigation. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,424. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Vu Nguyen

State Patrol Trooper/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,253

Sub-department: East Metro D 2400 Troopers
Base pay: $83,820
Overtime: $1,133
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,253
Hire date: 2024-01-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: MN Law Enforcement Assn
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Washington

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

Vu Nguyen holds the role of State Patrol Trooper at Public Safety Department within East Metro D 2400 Troopers. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,253. They are represented by MN Law Enforcement Assn.

Richard Huston

Deputy State Fire Marshal/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,223

Sub-department: Health Care Inspections
Base pay: $86,223
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,223
Hire date: 2023-12-06
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: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Richard Huston works as a Deputy State Fire Marshal for Public Safety Department within Health Care Inspections. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years as a full-time employee. Richard earned $86,223 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jordan Goelz

Forensic Scientist 2/Public Safety Department

2025 total comp

$86,207

Sub-department: BCA Lab Biology 2
Base pay: $82,555
Overtime: $3,652
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,207
Hire date: 2017-02-22
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: P07
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Safety Department, Jordan Goelz serves as a Forensic Scientist 2 within Bca Lab Biology 2. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 8 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,207. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.