Driven To Serve
The Minnesota State Patrol is committed to keeping Minnesota’s roads safe through traffic enforcement, emergency response, crash investigation, and public service. With statewide authority and a mission centered on safety, integrity, and professionalism, we are always ready to serve and protect.
Minnesota State Patrol Careers
Trooper Salary Starting at:
Trooper Salary Starting at:
Special Assignments
The Minnesota State Patrol offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities for those committed to serving the public. Explore the paths available and discover how your skills and interests can lead to a meaningful career making a difference every day. If you are looking for Non-Sworn positions, you can view them here.
Crash Reconstruction Specialist
The Minnesota State Patrol Investigative Services Section houses the Metro Crash Reconstruction Team and the crash reconstruction coordinator.  The goal of a crash reconstruction is to document how a crash occurred and determine which factors caused the crash.Â
Flight Section
The State Patrol Flight Section is responsible for state, county and local aerial law enforcement and public safety support. The flight section operates out of St. Paul and Brainerd. It is staffed by 13 state trooper pilots who fly seven aircrafts that consist of one Bell 429 twin engine helicopter,  two Bell 407 helicopters, two Cirrus SR22 airplanes, and two Cessna 182 airplanes.
K9-Unit
The Minnesota State Patrol K-9 unit is currently staffed with 15 K-9 teams. Twelve of the teams are trained to detect the odor of narcotics, and one team is trained to detect explosives. The State Patrol’s dogs are not trained in other typical police functions such as apprehension or tracking. They live with their State Trooper handlers’ families.
Vehicle Crimes
The State Patrol Vehicle Crimes Unit investigates crimes relating to motor vehicles. These include stolen vehicles, fraud by car dealers, violations related to out-of-state vehicle registrations, and more.
Public Information Officers
Public information officers carry the message of the Minnesota State Patrol to educate the public and work with the media to communicate important traffic safety messages. Through these educational efforts, troopers hope to change driving behavior by showing the tragic results of poor decision-making and the consequences of taking risks or breaking the law.
Drug Recognition Evaluator
The Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) is an officer trained to determine if a motorist is impaired by substances other than (or in addition to) alcohol. The DRE performs a 30-to-45-minute evaluation on the impaired driver. After the evaluation, the DRE can determine the category of drug(s) that is impairing the driver’s ability to drive safely.Â
Capitol Security / Executive Protection Unit
​​Capitol Security and the Executive Protection Unit are responsible for keeping the Minnesota State Capitol complex safe. This includes protecting government officials, state employees and visitors. They handle emergencies and events at the Capitol. The team is led by a State Patrol captain and two lieutenants.
Commercial vehicle Inspectors
A State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspector is responsible for enforcing laws, rules and regulations of motor carriers, commercial vehicle operations and school bus operations in Minnesota. Learn more about becoming a CVI.
Training and Development
The Training and Development Section prepares Minnesota State Patrol employees for success through academy training, instructor certifications, and continuing education for all sworn and non-sworn members of the agency.Â
District Investigator
Conduct criminal investigations, investigate serious and fatal crashes and other complex cases while working closely with troopers, prosecutors and partner agencies to ensure thorough professional investigations are completed.Â
Salary, ​​​Benefits, & Duties
A career with the Minnesota State Patrol comes with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, and opportunities for long-term growth. Learn more about the compensation and support available to you and your family as you build your career.
What is the pay?
During the Training Academy, cadets will be compensated at base trooper salary, which is $79,469/year or $38.06/hour. Top trooper pay of $108,701 is reached after eight years.
The starting and maximum pay listed does not include freeway pay if assigned to the Twin Cities metropolitan area (about 2.6 percent).
There is an additional 3 to 13 percent added to the base salary for special assignments such as air wing, commercial vehicle enforcement, investigations, public information trooper, etc.
What Benefits Are Offered?
- Health and dental insurance
- Life and disability insurance​
- Retirement benefits
- Retirement age
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation
What are the Duties of a MSP Trooper?
The State Patrol is Minnesota’s primary traffic enforcement agency. Our mission is to improve traffic safety through education, assistance, and enforcement. Our other key responsibilities include:
- Providing help at crashes
- Investigating and reconstructing serious crashes
- Conducting flight patrols and search-and rescue-missions
Inspecting school buses and commercial vehicles - Providing capitol security and executive protection to make sure people and property stay safe in the Capitol complex and state buildings in the Twin Cities
What are the disqualification criteria?
Please review the following information carefully. You must meet the minimum selection standards before being appointed to a peace officer position under 6700.0700.
Conviction under the following Minnesota Statutes (including juvenile convictions tried as an adult) will make you ineligible for licensing by the Minnesota P.O.S.T Board or ineligible under the Minnesota State Patrol selection standards. License eligibility is mandatory for this position.
View the full list of disqualification criteria.
Salary, ​​​Benefits, & Duties
A career with the Minnesota State Patrol comes with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, and opportunities for long-term growth. Learn more about the compensation and support available to you and your family as you build your career.
What is the pay?
During the Training Academy, cadets will be compensated at base trooper salary, which is $79,469/year or $38.06/hour. Top trooper pay of $108,701 is reached after eight years.
The starting and maximum pay listed does not include freeway pay if assigned to the Twin Cities metropolitan area (about 2.6 percent).
There is an additional 3 to 13 percent added to the base salary for special assignments such as air wing, commercial vehicle enforcement, investigations, public information trooper, etc.
What Benefits Are Offered?
- Health and dental insurance
- Life and disability insurance​
- Retirement benefits
- Retirement age
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation
What are the Duties of a MSP Trooper?
The State Patrol is Minnesota’s primary traffic enforcement agency. Our mission is to improve traffic safety through education, assistance, and enforcement. Our other key responsibilities include:
- Providing help at crashes
- Investigating and reconstructing serious crashes
- Conducting flight patrols and search-and rescue-missions
Inspecting school buses and commercial vehicles - Providing capitol security and executive protection to make sure people and property stay safe in the Capitol complex and state buildings in the Twin Cities
What are the disqualification criteria?
Please review the following information carefully. You must meet the minimum selection standards before being appointed to a peace officer position under 6700.0700.
Conviction under the following Minnesota Statutes (including juvenile convictions tried as an adult) will make you ineligible for licensing by the Minnesota P.O.S.T Board or ineligible under the Minnesota State Patrol selection standards. License eligibility is mandatory for this position.
View the full list of disqualification criteria.
Salary, ​​​Benefits, & Duties
A career with the Minnesota State Patrol comes with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, and opportunities for long-term growth. Learn more about the compensation and support available to you and your family as you build your career.
What is the pay?
During the Training Academy, cadets will be compensated at base trooper salary, which is $79,469/year or $38.06/hour. Top trooper pay of $108,701 is reached after eight years.
The starting and maximum pay listed does not include freeway pay if assigned to the Twin Cities metropolitan area (about 2.6 percent).
There is an additional 3 to 13 percent added to the base salary for special assignments such as air wing, commercial vehicle enforcement, investigations, public information trooper, etc.
What Benefits Are Offered?
- Health and dental insurance
- Life and disability insurance​
- Retirement benefits
- Retirement age
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation
What are the Duties of a MSP Trooper?
The State Patrol is Minnesota’s primary traffic enforcement agency. Our mission is to improve traffic safety through education, assistance, and enforcement. Our other key responsibilities include:
- Providing help at crashes
- Investigating and reconstructing serious crashes
- Conducting flight patrols and search-and rescue-missions
Inspecting school buses and commercial vehicles - Providing capitol security and executive protection to make sure people and property stay safe in the Capitol complex and state buildings in the Twin Cities
What are the disqualification criteria?
Please review the following information carefully. You must meet the minimum selection standards before being appointed to a peace officer position under 6700.0700.
Conviction under the following Minnesota Statutes (including juvenile convictions tried as an adult) will make you ineligible for licensing by the Minnesota P.O.S.T Board or ineligible under the Minnesota State Patrol selection standards. License eligibility is mandatory for this position.
View the full list of disqualification criteria.
Salary & ​​​Benefits
A career with the Minnesota State Patrol comes with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, and opportunities for long-term growth. Learn more about the compensation and support available to you and your family as you build your career.
What is the pay?
During the Training Academy, cadets will be compensated at base trooper salary, which is $79,469/year or $38.06/hour. Top trooper pay of $108,701 is reached after eight years.
The starting and maximum pay listed does not include freeway pay if assigned to the Twin Cities metropolitan area (about 2.6 percent).
There is an additional 3 to 13 percent added to the base salary for special assignments such as air wing, commercial vehicle enforcement, investigations, public information trooper, etc.
What Benefits Are Offered?
- Health and dental insurance
- Life and disability insurance​
- Retirement benefits
- Retirement age
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation
What are the disqualification criteria?
Please review the following information carefully. You must meet the minimum selection standards before being appointed to a peace officer position under 6700.0700.
Conviction under the following Minnesota Statutes (including juvenile convictions tried as an adult) will make you ineligible for licensing by the Minnesota P.O.S.T Board or ineligible under the Minnesota State Patrol selection standards. License eligibility is mandatory for this position.
View the full list of disqualification criteria.
Specialty Teams
The State Patrol has specialty units that focus on responding to particular incidents. They are specially trained for events like civil disturbances​, ceremonial services, disasters or emergencies.​​
Honor Guard​​
The Minnesota State Patrol Investigative Services Section houses the Metro Crash Reconstruction Team and the crash reconstruction coordinator.  The goal of a crash reconstruction is to document how a crash occurred and determine which factors caused the crash.Â
Mobile Response Team (MRT)
The State Patrol Flight Section is responsible for state, county and local aerial law enforcement and public safety support. The flight section operates out of St. Paul and Brainerd. It is staffed by 13 state trooper pilots who fly seven aircrafts that consist of one Bell 429 twin engine helicopter,  two Bell 407 helicopters, two Cirrus SR22 airplanes, and two Cessna 182 airplanes.
Special Response Team​ (SRT)
The Minnesota State Patrol K-9 unit is currently staffed with 15 K-9 teams. Twelve of the teams are trained to detect the odor of narcotics, and one team is trained to detect explosives. The State Patrol’s dogs are not trained in other typical police functions such as apprehension or tracking. They live with their State Trooper handlers’ families.
2026 Hiring Timeline
Leto
The LETO program is designed for applicants with no previous law enforcement experience and who have a two- or four-year degree.
Traditional
The traditional option is for those who are, or will be, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) licensed.
FAQ
Have questions about becoming part of the Minnesota State Patrol? Browse our frequently asked questions to learn more about the hiring process, qualifications, training, benefits, and what to expect throughout your journey.
Our Selection Process
What is the timeline for the selection process?Â
There are approximately 11 months for LETO and five months for Traditional from the start of the trooper application process until the Training Academy begins.
Why does it take so long to be hired?Â
The selection process consists of the application, physical readiness test, oral board interview, background investigation, medical evaluation, psychological evaluation, orientation and fingerprinting.
Why can’t I submit an application anytime?
Applications are only accepted online after a selection process is announced. You can submit your name and contact information to be placed on the hiring notification list by filling out a recruitment and applicant notification form. When the selection process is announced, you will receive an email notification that we will be accepting applications online.
Do I have to start my application process over if I submitted an application last year?Â
Yes, each applicant must submit an application online for the current selection process on the Minnesota Trooper website.
Am I able to choose which district I would like to work in?Â
When you apply, you will list the station or stations you would like to work in order of preference. All attempts will be made to offer the preferred station during final offer of employment. This offer is based on the number of applicants applying for each specific available station. Depending on agency needs, additional stations may become available.
Training Academy information
How long is your Training Academy?Â
The Training Academy will be 15 weeks. It consists of residential modified stress academy at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota. Candidates who complete the residential training are appointed as a State Patrol Trooper. Newly appointed troopers, upon graduation, are required to complete a 12-week field training program.
Do I have to stay at Camp Ripley?
Yes, cadets shall arrive at Camp Ripley between 7-9 p.m. on Sunday evening and are released Friday evening after an inspection is completed.
If I have already completed the skills training and am eligible to be licensed, do I still have to complete the entire school?Â
Yes, you will need to complete the Training Academy including all of the educational and skills classes required to graduate.
What do I need to bring to the Training Academy if I am offered a position?Â
If selected, you will be provided with more information.
Is it a college setting or military setting?Â
It is a paramilitary setting with modified stress that utilizes adult learning concepts.
How many applicants will you hire?Â
The number of positions available is dependent upon legislative funding and budgetary constraints.
Physical Readiness Test
What should I bring to the physical readiness testing?
- Bring a current state-issued driver’s license with a photo to the physical readiness testing site. We will accept an expired driver’s license as long as it has been renewed and you provide your renewal paperwork (yellow papers). Photocopies of any documentation will not be accepted.
- Wear clothing appropriate for physical readiness testing.
- Bring water with you.
What happens at the physical readiness test?
It is recommended that you arrive 20 minutes prior to your testing time for check-in. Only applicants will be allowed access to the testing areas.
The test will be explained and demonstrated, and then you will be asked to perform it. Applicants who successfully complete the physical readiness test will select a time slot in which they will return for an oral board interview that same day. Applicants will be allotted time and access to shower facilities prior to going into their interview if needed.
What are the physical readiness requirements?
The application process is very competitive. Testing is conducted on the Concept 2 Rower at the 60 percentile according to a person’s age, gender and weight. Applicants must row 2,000 meters, scoring at or above the minimum 60 percentile on their test in order to continue in the application process. The 2,000-meter test takes place at the level five or damper setting five on the flywheel. Those that do not pass the entrance physical readiness test on the Concept 2 Rower at the minimum requirement will not continue with the hiring process for the Minnesota State Patrol.
Watch a demo of the indoor rowing technique on the Concept2 rower.
This fitness requirements form lets you determine the maximum amount of time you will have to successfully pass the physical readiness test.
Oral Board Interviews
What are the interviews?Â
The interview is conducted by a panel, typically consisting of two members. You will only interview with one panel. The interview questions are non-law enforcement interview questions and are used to gauge your suitability towards our agency’s mission and core values. It is anticipated that the length of the interview will be 30 minutes.
How are the applicants scheduled for interviews?
After successfully passing the physical readiness test, applicants will select a time slot in which they will return for an oral board interview that same day. Applicants will be allotted time and access to shower facilities prior to going into their interview if needed.
Background Investigation
Does each hiring process require a background investigation?
Yes.
What is a comprehensive background investigation?
As required by Minnesota Rule 6700.0700 and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Administrative Policy Number 4060, you must submit to a thorough background investigation to evaluate your suitability for employment as a peace officer with this agency. This background investigation will include an analysis of public and private information, including criminal and civil court records, driver’s license and credit information, educational and employment history and interviews with references, neighbors, family members and others.
How long does the background investigation take to complete?Â
Background investigations take about eight weeks to complete.
Where can I get my background investigation materials?
The background investigation materials will be emailed to you.
Does MSP have a Ride-along Program?
Yes, and you can learn what it means to be a part of the pride, tradition and excellence of Minnesota State Patrol troopers with our ride-along program. The program allows people interested in becoming part of the Minnesota State Patrol to join a trooper for part of the day, including riding along with them during patrol.
Who is eligible?
- You must be interested in a career with the Minnesota State Patrol.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
How to Apply
To apply for the Ride-Along program, complete the  ride-along application form.
Ride-along applications are processed in the order we receive them. During times of high demand, wait times may be longer. You will be contacted by the district as soon as they have a trooper available.
Questions
Please email us at  patrol.recruiter@state.mn.us  or call the Training and Development Section at 651-757-1900. You can also view our website.
Is there Internships for College Students?
Qualified students will provide administrative support duties to aid in State Patrol daily operations. Students will be exposed to the day-to-day activities of a trooper and will be introduced to different areas and divisions of the agency.
Qualifications
- Must be attending a regionally accredited college or university, preferably one with a Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) approved Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) Program. Applicants attending colleges that do not meet this criteria may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license or have the proven ability to acquire a license prior to the internship start date. A clean or acceptable driving record is required.
- Must submit to and pass a driver’s license and criminal history check.
- Must be enrolled in a class requiring an internship and/or receive course credits for the internship.
- Must agree to be fingerprinted.
Internship options & deadlines
- Fall internship: Complete application packet must be received by the last Friday in May.
- Summer internship​: Complete application packet must be received by the last Friday in March. (Note: Summer internships are subject to district availability each year. Please inquire before submitting your application.)
- Spring internship: Complete application packet must be received by the last Friday in October.
How to Apply
Download the MSP internship application, fill it out completely and send it in, as instructed on the application.
Contact
Please send any questions to  Patrol.Recruiter@state.mn.us See other opportunities for students.
Contact a Recruiter
If you have any questions about hiring, internships, Summer Academy and Ride Along Program, contact a recruiter below.
Trooper Salary Starting at:
State Patrol Career Paths
The Minnesota State Patrol offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities for those committed to serving the public. Explore the paths available and discover how your skills and interests can lead to a meaningful career making a difference every day.
Capitol Security careers
Capitol Security officers provide safety and security to executive, judicial and legislative officials, state employees and members of the public on the Minnesota State Capitol complex. Learn about becoming a Capitol Security officer.
Commercial vehicle Inspectors
A State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspector is responsible for enforcing laws, rules and regulations of motor carriers, commercial vehicle operations and school bus operations in Minnesota. Learn more about becoming a CVI.
Dispatchers
Radio Communications Operators are on duty across the state 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Learn more about becoming a dispatcher.
Office and administrative
Office and Administrative Support (OAS) specialists provide confidential, administrative support to Minnesota State Patrol Troopers across the state. Learn more about becoming an OAS specialist.
State Trooper Careers
State Patrol troopers are responsible for keeping our roadways safe through assistance, education and enforcement. Learn more about becoming a trooper.