State Employees Enjoy Massive Pay Increases in 2025

State employees in Massachusetts experienced significant pay increases in 2025, primarily due to overtime, contract buyouts, and cashing in on unused leave. A recent analysis by the *Herald*, titled “Your Tax Dollars at Work,” reveals that high-ranking officials, particularly within law enforcement and corrections, have seen their earnings soar into six-figure figures.

Top Earners in State Payroll

Leading the list is John Pinkham, a former Deputy Superintendent with the Massachusetts State Police. In a remarkable financial ascent, Pinkham recorded a gross pay of $222,956, despite a base salary of just $13,206. This extraordinary increase of 1,588.29% was largely due to a $208,999 buyout prior to his retirement, coupled with cashing in on 894.24 unused vacation hours and 20% of his unused sick leave. According to Sarah Burgess, Chief Community Affairs Officer of the Massachusetts State Police, Pinkham’s case illustrates a system that allows certain officials to leverage unused leave in a way that is rarely seen in the private sector.

Following closely is Edward Johasen, a Department of Corrections officer, who achieved a pay boost of 256.5%. Johasen’s total pay for the year reached $354,357, up from a base salary of $99,392. His significant earnings reflect a trend observed throughout the Department of Corrections.

Another notable mention is Dennis Henry, also from the Department of Corrections, who achieved a total pay of $327,180, marking a 228% increase over his base salary of $99,760.

Widespread Financial Benefits Across Departments

The financial advantages were not limited to corrections. Ederme Bayard, a nurse in the Department of Mental Health, saw his earnings rise by 224% to $269,535, up from a base salary of $83,086. Similarly, Mustapha Kromah, another Department of Mental Health staff member, recorded a gross pay of $229,705 from a base salary of $70,884, also achieving a 224% increase.

The trend continued within the Department of Corrections with Mark Cannistraro, who received a gross pay of $302,562, translating to a 216% increase from a base salary of $95,742.

In an interesting turn, Fritz Louis Jean, a staff member at the Suffolk County House of Corrections, rounded out the ‘200% Club’ with a total pay of $229,298, a 202.4% boost from his base salary of $75,817.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) also had significant representation on this list. Joseph Sacco, a Transit Sergeant, reported gross earnings of $413,842, marking a 196% increase from a base salary of $139,615. Kelly Daniel, another MBTA officer, achieved similar percentages with gross earnings of $290,647 from a base salary of $98,180.

The list of substantial pay boosts continues with Zachary Fuller, a maintenance worker at MassDOT, who saw a pay increase of 188% to $240,727 from a base salary of $83,718. Lastly, Patrick Conneely, a trackperson for the MBTA, reported a gross pay of $282,921, a 185% increase from a base salary of $99,179.

The data indicates a trend of significant financial benefits for certain state employees, raising questions about the sustainability and equity of these pay structures. As investigations into these practices continue, the focus remains on how taxpayer dollars are allocated and the implications for state finances moving forward.