Minnesota / Trial Courts

Agency file

Trial Courts

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

The Trial Courts operates the court system — adjudicating cases and maintaining judicial records.

In 2025, this agency had 3,104 employees with median total compensation of $61,906; the highest distinct record was $211,699.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $222M
Employees: 3,104
Median total: $61,906
Highest record: $211,699

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$250$190,118+

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

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 3,104 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($61,906) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $70,796 (99%)
Overtime — $75 (0%)
Other — $660 (1%)
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

$17,238

$46,127

$61,906

$82,862

$158,775

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $158,775 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $17,238. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Jud Court Operations Associate

1,005 · $47,550

Jud District Court Law Clerk

427 · $61,903

Jud District Court Judge

282 · $190,117

Jud Court Reporter Steno

152 · $84,682

Jud Court Operation Supervisor

149 · $82,000

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	$210.8M —	3,118 —	$58,520 —
2025	$222M ▲ 5.3%	3,104 ▼ 0.4%	$61,906 ▲ 5.8%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Jay Quam

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$131,816

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $131,816
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $131,816
Hire date: 2006-10-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Jay Quam is a Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Hired in 2006, they have about 19 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,816. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Jennifer Miller

Jud Multi County Court Administrative V/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$131,357

Sub-department: 6th District Staff
Base pay: $131,107
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $131,357
Hire date: 2003-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 35
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jennifer Miller works as a Jud Multi County Court Administrative V for Trial Courts within 6Th District Staff. They have served since 2003 (about 22 years) as a full-time employee. Jennifer earned $131,357 in 2025. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Jessica Bierwerth

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$131,116

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $131,116
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $131,116
Hire date: 2001-11-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Jessica Bierwerth is a Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. They have served since 2001 (about 24 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,116. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

John Anderson

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$130,712

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $130,712
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $130,712
Hire date: 2020-09-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

John Anderson is a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 5 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $130,712. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Emily Froehle

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$130,387

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $130,387
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $130,387
Hire date: 2007-05-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Emily Froehle holds the role of Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $130,387. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Casey Boland

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$129,487

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $129,487
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,487
Hire date: 2022-09-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Casey Boland works as a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist for Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. Casey earned $129,487 in 2025. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Elias Hart

Jud Human Resources Manager I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$128,784

Sub-department: 2nd District Administration
Base pay: $124,194
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,590
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,784
Hire date: 2013-09-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 13
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Elias Hart is a Jud Human Resources Manager I at Trial Courts within 2Nd District Administration. They have served since 2013 (about 12 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,784. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Todd Westphal

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$128,202

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $128,202
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,202
Hire date: 2005-11-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Nicollet

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Todd Westphal works as a Jud District Court Judge for Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Hired in 2005, they have about 20 years of service as a full-time employee. Todd earned $128,202 in 2025. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Kristin Cunningham

Jud Court Administrator III/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$128,132

Sub-department: 10th District Staff
Base pay: $125,814
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,318
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,132
Hire date: 2005-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 13
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Chisago

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristin Cunningham is a Jud Court Administrator III at Trial Courts within 10Th District Staff. They have served since 2005 (about 20 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,132. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Barbara Ideker

Jud Human Resources Manager I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$127,958

Sub-department: 5th District Staff
Base pay: $123,391
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,566
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,958
Hire date: 1996-06-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 13
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Barbara Ideker is a Jud Human Resources Manager I at Trial Courts within 5Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 1996, about 29 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $127,958. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Kristin Johnson

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$127,876

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $127,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,876
Hire date: 2012-06-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristin Johnson is a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $127,876. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Karen Messner

Jud Multi County Court Administrative III/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$127,522

Sub-department: 1st District Staff
Base pay: $123,454
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,068
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,522
Hire date: 2004-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 33
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Mcleod

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Karen Messner is a Jud Multi County Court Administrative III at Trial Courts within 1St District Staff. They have served since 2004 (about 21 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $127,522. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Jennifer Flowers

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$127,024

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $127,024
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,024
Hire date: 2022-02-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Trial Courts, Jennifer Flowers serves as a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist within 4Th District Psychologist Services. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $127,024. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.