Bruening, Benjamin Gerald
Hydrologist 2Agriculture DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
Groundwater Staff. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2017 to FY 2026, pay went up 1,609% while consumer prices went up 35%. After inflation, pay is up 1,165% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $85,652 | +5.4% | +3.1% | +2.2% |
| FY 2025 | $81,287 | +8.3% | +2.6% | +5.5% |
| FY 2024 | $75,083 | +5.2% | +3.3% | +1.9% |
| FY 2023 | $71,350 | +7.7% | +6.3% | +1.4% |
| FY 2022 | $66,224 | +15.4% | +7.2% | +7.7% |
| FY 2021 | $57,389 | +6.2% | +2.3% | +3.8% |
| FY 2020 | $54,048 | +5.6% | +1.6% | +4.0% |
| FY 2019 | $51,168 | +5.6% | +2.1% | +3.5% |
| FY 2018 | $48,434 | +866.2% | +2.3% | +844.9% |
| FY 2017 | $5,013 | — | — | — |
Each change compares a year with the one before. Large swings usually come from a partial year, extra hours or a change of job rather than a raise. Prices: Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, U.S. city average) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged July to June; FY 2026 uses 11 months because October 2025 was not published.
Compared with the same job title
FY 2026 · Hydrologist 2
Paid more than 48% of the 69 people with this job title that year. The median was $85,892.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
10 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Agriculture Dept Groundwater Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $41.43 /hr | — | $85,652 |
| 2025 | Agriculture Dept Groundwater Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $39.34 /hr | — | $81,287 |
| 2024 | Agriculture Dept Groundwater Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $36.34 /hr | — | $75,083 |
| 2023 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $33.30 /hr | — | $71,350 |
| 2022 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $31.35 /hr | — | $66,224 |
| 2021 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $28.48 /hr | — | $57,389 |
| 2020 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $26.89 /hr | — | $54,048 |
| 2019 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $25.37 /hr | — | $51,168 |
| 2018 | Agriculture Dept Monitoring Unit Staff | Hydrologist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $23.99 /hr | — | $48,434 |
| 2017 | Agriculture Dept Fertilizer Technical UnitStaff | Hydrologist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $22.76 /hr | — | $5,013 |
The state reports one pay total per person per year, covering all of their positions, so it appears on one of that year’s lines and the others show no separate pay.
Highest paid in Agriculture Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- Vaubel, Andrea Fetherston$181,054Deputy Commr Agriculture
- Petersen, Thomas E.$180,829Commissioner-Agriculture
- Bailey, Patrice$167,153Asst Commr Agriculture
- Kjeseth, Peder Leif$166,417Asst Commr Agriculture
- Sis, Julie A$161,019Agency Chief Financial Officer
- Spanier, Douglas P$151,827General Counsel 1
- Hugunin, Paul S$150,081State Prog Admin Manager Prin
- Peck, Justin$149,071Management Analyst 3
Highest paid as Hydrologist 2
FY 2026, amount paid
- Emerson, Heather Lynn$94,250Pollution Control Agency
- Hadash, Joseph$93,541Pollution Control Agency
- Pogorelc, James R$93,005Natural Resources Dept
- Heinz, Katherine R$92,472Transportation Dept
- Ryser, Rebecca$92,472Pollution Control Agency
- Ashiamah, Evelyn K$92,471Pollution Control Agency
- Brenegan, Erik Allen$92,471Pollution Control Agency
- Fielding, Ellen Elizabeth$92,471Natural Resources Dept