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

Susan Solheim

Jud Referee/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$157,364

Sub-department: 7th Stearns Judge
Base pay: $155,946
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,418
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,364
Hire date: 2020-01-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 30
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Clay

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Susan Solheim is a Jud Referee at Trial Courts within 7Th Stearns Judge. Their tenure dates to 2020, about 4 years, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $157,364. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Adam Milz

Supervisor Clinical Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$157,329

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $153,629
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,329
Hire date: 2009-09-14
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

Adam Milz is a Supervisor Clinical Forensic Psychologist at Trial Courts within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Hired in 2009, they have about 16 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $157,329. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Fred Hendrickson

Jud Court Administrative Mngr II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$157,247

Sub-department: 4th District Administration
Base pay: $155,007
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,240
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,247
Hire date: 2006-04-24
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

Fred Hendrickson works as a Jud Court Administrative Mngr II for Trial Courts within 4Th District Administration. They have served since 2006 (about 19 years) as a full-time employee. Fred earned $157,247 in 2025. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Michael Leeser

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$156,610

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $156,610
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,610
Hire date: 2014-08-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Clay

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

Michael Leeser holds the role of Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $156,610. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Darlene Rivera Spalla

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$156,088

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $156,088
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $156,088
Hire date: 1999-05-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Mahnomen

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Darlene Rivera Spalla works as a Jud District Court Judge for Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Their tenure dates to 1999, about 25 years as a full-time employee. Darlene earned $156,088 in 2024. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Shawn Moynihan

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$154,682

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $154,682
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,682
Hire date: 2007-06-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Shawn Moynihan is a Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Hired in 2007, they have about 17 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $154,682. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Mary Leahy

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$154,682

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $154,682
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,682
Hire date: 2006-04-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Winona

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 222
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Bi-Weekly

Mary Leahy holds the role of Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. They have served since 2006 (about 18 years) as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $154,682. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Kathy Narlock

Jud Multi County Court Administrative III/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$154,674

Sub-department: 9th District Staff
Base pay: $150,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,345
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,674
Hire date: 2002-12-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 33
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Polk

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

Kathy Narlock holds the role of Jud Multi County Court Administrative III at Trial Courts within 9Th District Staff. They have served since 2002 (about 23 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $154,674. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Kristen Otte

Supervisor Clinical Forensic Psychologist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$154,405

Sub-department: 4th District Psych Services
Base pay: $154,405
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $154,405
Hire date: 2015-09-09
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

At Trial Courts, Kristen Otte serves as a Supervisor Clinical Forensic Psychologist within 4Th District Psychologist Services. Their tenure dates to 2015, about 10 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $154,405. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Carl Tvedten

Jud District Court Judge/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$153,697

Sub-department: Trial Court Judges
Base pay: $153,697
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,697
Hire date: 2024-09-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Bi-Weekly
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: Bi-Weekly

Carl Tvedten is a Jud District Court Judge at Trial Courts within Trial Court Judges. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $153,697. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Tracy Gullerud

Jud Deputy District Administrative B/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$153,334

Sub-department: 10th District Staff
Base pay: $148,244
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,090
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,334
Hire date: 1997-11-12
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

Tracy Gullerud holds the role of Jud Deputy District Administrative B at Trial Courts within 10Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 1997, about 28 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $153,334. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Vicky Carlson

Jud Court Administrator IV/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$152,419

Sub-department: 1st District Staff
Base pay: $147,651
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,768
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,419
Hire date: 1996-05-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Scott

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

Vicky Carlson holds the role of Jud Court Administrator IV at Trial Courts within 1St District Staff. Hired in 1996, they have about 29 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $152,419. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.

Jeffrey Syvoraphane

Jud Inform Technician Mngr/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$152,327

Sub-department: 2nd District Administration
Base pay: $148,501
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,827
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,327
Hire date: 2012-02-13
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, Jeffrey Syvoraphane serves as a Jud Inform Technician Mngr within 2Nd District Administration. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,327. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Donald Harper Jr

Jud Court Administrative Mngr II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$152,034

Sub-department: 2nd District Administration
Base pay: $151,034
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,034
Hire date: 2019-08-07
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, Donald Harper Jr serves as a Jud Court Administrative Mngr II within 2Nd District Administration. Their tenure dates to 2019, about 6 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,034. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Marcia Setrum

Jud Deputy District Administrative A/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$151,064

Sub-department: 7th District Staff
Base pay: $146,820
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,244
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,064
Hire date: 1998-09-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 15
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

Marcia Setrum works as a Jud Deputy District Administrative A for Trial Courts within 7Th District Staff. Their tenure dates to 1998, about 27 years as a full-time employee. Marcia earned $151,064 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Agency Exclusion.