How to become a state trooper in Minnesota
The Minnesota State Patrol (Department of Public Safety) hires state troopers under the title State Patrol Trooper (Probationary Trooper; hired as Trooper Trainee 1). New state troopers start at $79,469 a year, rising to $108,701 after about 8 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $79,469 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $108,701 |
| Years to top | 8 |
| Scale effective | 2026-03 |
2026 LETO posting: probationary troopers receive base pay of $79,469/year ($38.06/hr), plus any applicable contract adjustments; top trooper pay $108,701/year ($52.06/hr) after 8 years. Trooper Trainees are paid 80% of Trooper step 1 during LETO POST training and 100% of step 1 during the Trooper Training Academy. Excludes Twin Cities freeway pay (about 2.6%) and 3-13% special-assignment pay.
Source:[assets.dps.mn.gov]
Pay for this work across Minnesota
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Minnesota, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 9,160 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $60,670 |
| Median pay | $83,360 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $106,160 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: LETO track: associate's or bachelor's degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution; traditional track applicants must be eligible for Minnesota POST peace officer licensing
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Must be 21 by the program's set date (April 20, 2027 for the 2026 LETO class) (minAge = age by appointment); no maximum age stated
- Valid Minnesota driver's license or eligible to obtain one by the fitness-test date
- Meet Minnesota Rules 6700.0700 POST selection standards; no felony, theft, or other listed convictions; driving-record limits over the prior 12-60 months
- Vision: 20/100 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20; hearing loss no more than 35 dB average in either ear
- LETO hires sign a two-year work commitment
- 12 weeks field training and a 12-month probationary period
Source:[assets.dps.mn.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application at mntrooper.com
- Physical readiness test (2,000-meter Concept2 row at the 60th percentile)
- Oral board interview (same day)
- Background investigation
- Conditional offer, then medical examination and psychological evaluation
- Final offer; LETO candidates complete POST training and pass the POST licensing exam
- 14-week Trooper Training Academy at Camp Ripley
Source:[assets.dps.mn.gov]
Entrance exam
Minnesota POST peace officer licensing exam. No written entrance test in the trooper selection process; applicants must pass the POST exam to be eligible for employment (LETO candidates are trained for it).[assets.dps.mn.gov]
Academy
14 weeks, paid. 14-week State Patrol Trooper Training Academy at Camp Ripley, residential Sunday night through Friday evening with meals and lodging furnished; paid 100% of Trooper step 1. LETO candidates first complete 22 weeks of POST training at Hennepin Technical College at 80% pay (tuition paid, meals/lodging not).[assets.dps.mn.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) State Patrol Retirement Plan
- Benefit formula: 3% × years of service × high-five average salary (highest five years, need not be consecutive)
- When you can retire: Unreduced at age 55; reduced benefit from age 50; vested after 10 years for hires after June 30, 2013; mandatory retirement at age 60
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
Employee contribution 15.4% of pay.
Source:[lcpr.mn.gov]