Cole, James S
Public Defense Managing AttrnyPublic Defense BoardOlmsted CountyFull-time
Third Judical District. 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 2020 to FY 2026, pay went up 198% while consumer prices went up 27%. After inflation, pay is up 134% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $173,701 | −2.0% | +3.1% | −5.0% |
| FY 2025 | $177,208 | +9.4% | +2.6% | +6.6% |
| FY 2024 | $161,997 | +35.5% | +3.3% | +31.2% |
| FY 2023 | $119,551 | +16.8% | +6.3% | +9.9% |
| FY 2022 | $102,363 | +6.6% | +7.2% | −0.6% |
| FY 2021 | $96,045 | +64.9% | +2.3% | +61.2% |
| FY 2020 | $58,240 | — | — | — |
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 · Public Defense Managing Attrny
Paid more than 54% of the 65 people with this job title that year. The median was $173,680.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
7 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Public Defense Board Third Judical District | Public Defense Managing Attrny Full-time | Olmsted | $83.51 /hr | — | $173,701 |
| 2025 | Public Defense Board Third Judical District | Public Defense Managing Attrny Full-time | Olmsted | $83.51 /hr | — | $177,208 |
| 2024 | Public Defense Board Third Judical District | Public Defense Managing Attrny Full-time | Olmsted | $83.51 /hr | — | $161,997 |
| 2023 | Public Defense Board Third Judical District | Public Defense Managing Attrny Full-time | Olmsted | $54.25 /hr | — | $119,551 |
| 2022 | Public Defense Board Third Judical District | Public Defense Managing Attrny Full-time | Olmsted | $52.67 /hr | — | $102,363 |
| 2021 | Public Defense Board Third Judicial District | Public Defense Asst Attorney Full-time | Olmsted | $46.33 /hr | — | $96,045 |
| 2020 | Public Defense Board Third Judicial District | Public Defense Asst Attorney Full-time | Olmsted | $43.65 /hr | — | $58,240 |
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 Public Defense Board
FY 2026, amount paid
- Naatz, Cecil E$261,785Public Defense Managing Attrny
- Kajer, Kevin L$227,525Public Defense Chief Admin
- Middlebrook, Cathryn Y$227,525Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Ward, William$225,597Public Defense State Publ
- Lew, Daniel K$221,146Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Murphrey, Virginia$221,146Public Defense Chief Publ Def
- Hoyle, Kathleen Jo$210,940Public Defense Info Sys Dir
- Riemer, John A$205,440Public Defense Chief Publ Def
Highest paid as Public Defense Managing Attrny
FY 2026, amount paid
- Naatz, Cecil E$261,785Public Defense Board
- Lee, Ruthann M$188,855Public Defense Board
- Jacks, Sharon E$187,973Public Defense Board
- Finneran, Carole$183,560Public Defense Board
- Gudmundson, Eric$183,227Public Defense Board
- Brown, Edith M$182,854Public Defense Board
- Lo, Chong$181,750Public Defense Board
- Butler, Benjamin J$181,750Public Defense Board