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

Hans Holland

Jud Court Administrator IV/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$150,550

Sub-department: 3rd District Staff
Base pay: $146,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,229
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,550
Hire date: 2000-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

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

Hans Holland holds the role of Jud Court Administrator IV at Trial Courts within 3Rd District Staff. Their tenure dates to 2000, about 25 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,550. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Jennifer Dynes

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$150,150

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $148,939
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,211
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,150
Hire date: 2022-03-28
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 Dynes serves as a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $150,150. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Matthew Johnson

Jud Research & Evaluation Manager/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$149,361

Sub-department: 4th District Administration
Base pay: $149,361
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,361
Hire date: 2014-01-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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

Matthew Johnson holds the role of Jud Research & Evaluation Manager at Trial Courts within 4Th District Administration. Their tenure dates to 2014, about 11 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,361. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Carolyn Renn

Jud Deputy District Administrative A/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$148,813

Sub-department: 1st District Staff
Base pay: $148,813
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,813
Hire date: 2004-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: 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, Carolyn Renn serves as a Jud Deputy District Administrative A within 1St District Staff. They have served since 2004 (about 20 years), working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $148,813. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Kristine Lancaster

Jud Human Resources Manager II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$148,724

Sub-department: 10th District Staff
Base pay: $144,060
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,664
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,724
Hire date: 2008-06-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Anoka

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, Kristine Lancaster serves as a Jud Human Resources Manager II within 10Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 2008, about 17 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $148,724. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Kristine Kienlen

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$148,066

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $146,653
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,413
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,066
Hire date: 1995-09-09
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

Kristine Kienlen holds the role of Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. They have served since 1995 (about 30 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $148,066. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Mary Larsen

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$147,651

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $147,651
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,651
Hire date: 2016-04-27
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

Mary Larsen works as a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist for Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. They have served since 2016 (about 9 years) as a full-time employee. Mary earned $147,651 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Jill Bruvold

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$147,651

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $147,651
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,651
Hire date: 2014-09-15
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

Jill Bruvold is a Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $147,651. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Catherine Carlson

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$147,651

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $147,651
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,651
Hire date: 1995-08-23
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

Catherine Carlson holds the role of Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Hired in 1995, they have about 30 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,651. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Michael Upton

Jud Court Administrative Mngr II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$147,366

Sub-department: 2nd District Administration
Base pay: $142,254
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,112
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,366
Hire date: 2003-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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

Michael Upton is a Jud Court Administrative Mngr II at Trial Courts within 2Nd District Administration. Their tenure dates to 2003, about 22 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $147,366. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Amanda Powers

Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$147,319

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $147,319
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,319
Hire date: 2005-10-10
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

Amanda Powers holds the role of Jud Senior Clinic Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,319. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Ann Meredith

Jud Human Resources Manager I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$146,934

Sub-department: 7th District Staff
Base pay: $143,478
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,456
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,934
Hire date: 1994-03-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 13
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

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, Ann Meredith serves as a Jud Human Resources Manager I within 7Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 1994, about 31 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,934. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Gwen Upton

Jud Court Administrative Mngr II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$146,886

Sub-department: 2nd District Administration
Base pay: $145,886
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,886
Hire date: 2003-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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

At Trial Courts, Gwen Upton serves as a Jud Court Administrative Mngr II within 2Nd District Administration. They have served since 2003 (about 22 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,886. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Jennifer Verdeja

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$146,412

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $146,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,412
Hire date: 2005-11-21
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

Jennifer Verdeja is a Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. They have served since 2005 (about 20 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,412. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

George Lock

Jud Court Administrator IV/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$146,347

Sub-department: 7th District Staff
Base pay: $145,347
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,347
Hire date: 2001-09-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

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

George Lock works as a Jud Court Administrator IV for Trial Courts within 7Th District Staff. Hired in 2001, they have about 24 years of service as a full-time employee. George earned $146,347 in 2025. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

David Wiklund

Jud Inform Technician Supervisor II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$146,049

Sub-department: 4th District Human Resources
Base pay: $146,049
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,049
Hire date: 1990-01-02
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

David Wiklund holds the role of Jud Inform Technician Supervisor II at Trial Courts within 4Th District Human Resources. Hired in 1990, they have about 35 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,049. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Paul Hinz

Jud IT Senior Project Manager/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$145,999

Sub-department: 4th District Info Tech
Base pay: $145,999
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,999
Hire date: 2014-09-24
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: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Paul Hinz works as a Jud IT Senior Project Manager for Trial Courts within 4Th District Information Technician. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. Paul earned $145,999 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Sonja Kruger

Jud Deputy District Administrative A/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$145,593

Sub-department: 5th District Staff
Base pay: $140,531
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,062
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,593
Hire date: 2000-07-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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

At Trial Courts, Sonja Kruger serves as a Jud Deputy District Administrative A within 5Th District Staff. They have served since 2000 (about 25 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $145,593. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Tammy Shefelbine

Jud Referee/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$145,525

Sub-department: 3rd Steele Judge
Base pay: $145,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,525
Hire date: 2002-08-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 30
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

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

Tammy Shefelbine is a Jud Referee at Trial Courts within 3Rd Steele Judge. They have served since 2002 (about 23 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $145,525. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Teresa Underwood

Jud Court Administrator IV/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$145,052

Sub-department: 10th District Staff
Base pay: $145,052
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,052
Hire date: 2022-06-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Washington

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

Teresa Underwood holds the role of Jud Court Administrator IV at Trial Courts within 10Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $145,052. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Elizabeth Wendt

Jud Referee/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$144,957

Sub-department: 2nd District Civil
Base pay: $144,457
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,957
Hire date: 2011-07-15
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 30
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.2
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

Elizabeth Wendt holds the role of Jud Referee at Trial Courts within 2Nd District Civil. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years) as a part-time, 0.2 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $144,957. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Ashlie Kennedy

Jud Deputy District Administrative B/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$143,387

Sub-department: 10th District Staff
Base pay: $142,637
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,387
Hire date: 2012-08-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Anoka

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

Ashlie Kennedy is a Jud Deputy District Administrative B at Trial Courts within 10Th District Staff. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,387. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.