Nearly $10M Added to Middlesex Sheriff Payroll Since 2022 — Here’s What Workers Earned in 2025
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has seen its payroll expenses rise dramatically over the past three years, with total employee compensation increasing by nearly $10 million since 2022, according to public salary records.
The department’s total payroll reached approximately $69 million in 2025, marking one of the most significant periods of growth in recent years. The increase reflects higher base salaries, rising overtime costs, expanded compensation packages, and other employee payments across the agency.
While payroll spending has gradually increased over the last decade, recent years have brought a much sharper jump, drawing attention to staffing costs and compensation trends within one of Massachusetts’ largest sheriff’s departments.
Payroll Increased Nearly $10 Million Since 2022
According to state payroll data, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office reported total payroll expenses of approximately $59.65 million in 2022.
By 2025, that figure had climbed to $68.99 million, representing an increase of roughly $9.34 million in just three years.
The growth comes after a period of fluctuations. Payroll spending dipped slightly in 2023 before accelerating again in 2024 and 2025.
Officials reported the following payroll totals:
| Year | Total Payroll |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $59.65 million |
| 2023 | $58.64 million |
| 2024 | $64.66 million |
| 2025 | $68.99 million |
The latest figures show that payroll costs are now at their highest level in at least a decade.
Breaking Down the 2025 Payroll
The nearly $69 million spent in 2025 was distributed across several categories of employee compensation.
The largest portion came from regular salaries, while overtime and additional compensation accounted for millions more.
The payroll breakdown included:
| Compensation Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Pay | $56.57 million |
| Overtime Pay | $5.03 million |
| Buyouts | $566,713 |
| Other Pay | $6.78 million |
| Total Payroll | $68.99 million |
Base salaries represented more than 80% of all payroll spending, while overtime remained a significant expense, exceeding $5 million during the year.
Payroll Growth Over the Last Decade
The recent increase becomes even more notable when compared with payroll figures from a decade ago.
In 2015, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office reported total payroll expenses of approximately $53.74 million.
At that time:
- Base pay totaled $48.55 million
- Overtime totaled $2.42 million
- Buyouts were approximately $258,000
- Other compensation exceeded $2.5 million
Comparing 2015 with 2025 shows payroll expenses have increased by more than $15 million over ten years.
However, much of that growth has occurred since 2022 rather than being spread evenly throughout the decade.
Highest-Paid Employees in 2025
Several senior administrators and correctional officials ranked among the department’s top earners during 2025.
The highest-paid employee was Superintendent Amoroso Cefalo, whose total compensation exceeded $225,000.
According to payroll records, Cefalo earned:
- Base salary: $198,912
- Other pay: $26,884
- Overtime: $0
- Total compensation: $225,795
He was followed closely by Assistant Deputy Superintendent Michael Souza, who earned more than $207,000, largely due to substantial overtime compensation.
Top 10 Highest Earners at the Department
The highest-paid Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employees in 2025 were:
1. Superintendent Amoroso Cefalo
Total Pay: $225,795
2. Assistant Deputy Superintendent Michael Souza
Total Pay: $207,078
3. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian
Total Pay: $198,500
4. Superintendent Osvaldo Vidal
Total Pay: $195,757
5. Correction Officer William LeDuc
Total Pay: $195,005
6. Assistant Superintendent Michael Mahoney
Total Pay: $194,812
7. Assistant Deputy Superintendent George Karelas
Total Pay: $191,399
8. Chief Legal Counsel Kara Ryan
Total Pay: $189,969
9. Chief of Staff Bridget Cook
Total Pay: $189,419
10. Assistant Deputy Superintendent Richard Vivier
Total Pay: $176,634
The list reflects a mix of executive leadership, legal personnel, and correctional staff.
Overtime Remains a Major Factor
One notable aspect of the payroll data is the continued impact of overtime on total compensation.
While some top earners received little or no overtime pay, others significantly increased their annual earnings through additional hours worked.
Assistant Deputy Superintendent Michael Souza, for example, earned nearly $60,000 in overtime alone, helping push his total compensation above $207,000.
Across the department, overtime spending surpassed $5 million in 2025, highlighting ongoing staffing demands and operational requirements.
What the Numbers Suggest
The payroll increase reflects broader trends affecting public safety agencies nationwide, including rising labor costs, recruitment challenges, retention efforts, and contractual salary adjustments.
Correctional facilities often require around-the-clock staffing, making overtime an important component of operational budgets.
The growth in payroll expenses may also reflect efforts to remain competitive in attracting and retaining experienced personnel in a demanding field.
Looking Ahead
With payroll expenses approaching $70 million, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office continues to rank among the largest publicly funded law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts.
Whether payroll growth continues at the same pace will likely depend on future staffing levels, labor agreements, overtime needs, and budget decisions.
For now, the latest data shows that compensation costs at the department have risen substantially in recent years, with nearly $10 million added to payroll spending since 2022 and more than $15 million added over the past decade.
As public agencies face increasing budget pressures, payroll figures like these are expected to remain a key area of interest for taxpayers, policymakers, and government watchdogs alike.
