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 9

Claire Schmitz

Jud District Court Law Clerk/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$55,947

Sub-department: 4th Hennepin Judge
Base pay: $53,003
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,944
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,947
Hire date: 2022-12-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.38
Work county: Hennepin

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

Claire Schmitz holds the role of Jud District Court Law Clerk at Trial Courts within 4Th Hennepin Judge. They have served since 2022 (about 2 years) as a full-time, 0.38 FTE employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,947. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Nicholas Knutson

Jud CT Operation Leadworker II/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,907

Sub-department: 4th District Interpreter
Base pay: $55,907
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,907
Hire date: 2021-07-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 8
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5
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: 334
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Trial Courts, Nicholas Knutson serves as a Jud CT Operation Leadworker II within 4Th District Interpreter. Hired in 2021, they have about 4 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $55,907. Union affiliation: Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5.

Kelly Behnke

Jud Court Reporter Elect/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,900

Sub-department: 3rd District Staff
Base pay: $55,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,900
Hire date: 2024-08-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 1
Union / bargaining unit: Courts:Teamsters320/CrtRpters
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 332
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kelly Behnke holds the role of Jud Court Reporter Elect at Trial Courts within 3Rd District Staff. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,900. Union affiliation: Courts:Teamsters320/CrtRpters.

Monica Chowdhury

Jud District Court Law Clerk/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,888

Sub-department: 3rd Mower Judge
Base pay: $55,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,888
Hire date: 2014-07-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 25
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Mower

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

Monica Chowdhury works as a Jud District Court Law Clerk for Trial Courts within 3Rd Mower Judge. Their tenure dates to 2014, about 11 years as a full-time employee. Monica earned $55,888 in 2025. They are represented by Agency Exclusion.

Tanja Smith

Jud CT Operations Leadworker I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,834

Sub-department: 9th Itasca
Base pay: $55,834
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,834
Hire date: 2021-12-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Itasca

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 330
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Tanja Smith works as a Jud CT Operations Leadworker I for Trial Courts within 9Th Itasca. They have served since 2021 (about 4 years) as a full-time employee. Tanja earned $55,834 in 2025. They are represented by Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech.

Linda Thao

Jud Court Operations Specialist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,831

Sub-department: 4th District Domestic Abuse
Base pay: $55,831
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,831
Hire date: 2023-06-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5
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: 334
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Linda Thao works as a Jud Court Operations Specialist for Trial Courts within 4Th District Domestic Abuse. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years as a full-time employee. Linda earned $55,831 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5.

Robert Grant

Jud CT Operations Leadworker I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,831

Sub-department: 4th District Juvenile
Base pay: $55,831
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,831
Hire date: 2022-07-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5
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: 334
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Robert Grant is a Jud CT Operations Leadworker I at Trial Courts within 4Th District Juvenile. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $55,831. Their bargaining unit is Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5.

Erika Cornett

Jud Court Operations Specialist/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,793

Sub-department: 9th Itasca
Base pay: $55,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,793
Hire date: 2021-10-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Itasca

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 330
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Erika Cornett is a Jud Court Operations Specialist at Trial Courts within 9Th Itasca. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $55,793. They are represented by Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech.

Jennifer Jelinski

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,784

Sub-department: 10th District - Sherburne
Base pay: $55,024
Overtime: $10
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,784
Hire date: 2021-07-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Sherburne

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 334
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jennifer Jelinski is a Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 10Th District - Sherburne. Their tenure dates to 2021, about 4 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $55,784. They are represented by Courts: AFSCME MN Council 5.

Andrea O'Leary

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$55,760

Sub-department: 8th District Wilkin
Base pay: $55,760
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,760
Hire date: 2019-06-13
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Agency Exclusion
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Traverse

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

Andrea O'Leary is a Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 8Th District Wilkin. They have served since 2019 (about 5 years), working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $55,760. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Nathan Laumeyer

Jud CT Operations Leadworker I/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,730

Sub-department: 1st Dakota
Base pay: $55,730
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,730
Hire date: 2019-04-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 331
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nathan Laumeyer works as a Jud CT Operations Leadworker I for Trial Courts within 1St Dakota. They have served since 2019 (about 6 years) as a full-time employee. Nathan earned $55,730 in 2025. Union affiliation: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech.

Karin Davis

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,709

Sub-department: 1st Scott
Base pay: $55,709
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,709
Hire date: 2014-06-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech
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: 331
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Karin Davis holds the role of Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 1St Scott. They have served since 2014 (about 11 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,709. They are represented by Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech.

Darla Boen

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$55,698

Sub-department: 9th Pennington
Base pay: $54,030
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,668
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,698
Hire date: 1999-09-01
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Pennington

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 330
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Darla Boen holds the role of Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 9Th Pennington. Hired in 1999, they have about 25 years of service as a part-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,698. Their bargaining unit is Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech.

Taylor Jude

Jud CT Operations Leadworker I/Trial Courts

2024 total comp

$55,680

Sub-department: 1st Scott
Base pay: $55,399
Overtime: $280
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,680
Hire date: 2019-07-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Scott

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 331
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Trial Courts, Taylor Jude serves as a Jud CT Operations Leadworker I within 1St Scott. Hired in 2019, they have about 5 years of service, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,680. Union affiliation: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech.

Kimberly Wobschall

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,674

Sub-department: 3rd Steele Court Operations
Base pay: $54,754
Overtime: $920
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,674
Hire date: 2014-06-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Steele

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J33
Bargaining Unit Number: 330
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kimberly Wobschall holds the role of Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 3Rd Steele Court Operations. They have served since 2014 (about 11 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,674. They are represented by Courts: AFSCME65 Adm/Cler/Tech.

Irene Hedeman

Jud District Court Law Clerk/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,674

Sub-department: 4th Hennepin Judge
Base pay: $55,674
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,674
Hire date: 2024-04-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 25
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, Irene Hedeman serves as a Jud District Court Law Clerk within 4Th Hennepin Judge. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $55,674. Union affiliation: Agency Exclusion.

Kelly Pfennig

Jud Court Operations Associate/Trial Courts

2025 total comp

$55,658

Sub-department: 7th District Stearns
Base pay: $54,006
Overtime: $751
Other pay: $900
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,658
Hire date: 2008-08-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech
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: 331
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kelly Pfennig holds the role of Jud Court Operations Associate at Trial Courts within 7Th District Stearns. Hired in 2008, they have about 17 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,658. Their bargaining unit is Courts:Teamsters Adm/Clr/Tech.