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Cownie, James R

General Counsel 3Transportation DeptRamsey CountyFull-time

Commissioners Office. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.

Total paid
$1,862,759
over 16 fiscal years
Latest year
$178,824
FY 2026
Highest year
$178,824
FY 2026
Yearly average
$116,422
across years on record
Change since first year
+119%
FY 2011 to FY 2026 · prices +48%

Pay by fiscal year

Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K20112013201520172019202120232025
Paid in yearFY 2011 pay grown with consumer prices (CPI)

From FY 2011 to FY 2026, pay went up 119% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is up 48% (it beat inflation).

YearPaidChangePrices (CPI)After inflation
FY 2026$178,824+7.1%+3.1%+3.9%
FY 2025$166,902+15.4%+2.6%+12.5%
FY 2024$144,578+2.8%+3.3%−0.5%
FY 2023$140,701+8.4%+6.3%+2.0%
FY 2022$129,797+4.2%+7.2%−2.8%
FY 2021$124,583+2.5%+2.3%+0.2%
FY 2020$121,587+2.5%+1.6%+0.9%
FY 2019$118,660+7.1%+2.1%+5.0%
FY 2018$110,768+10.9%+2.3%+8.5%
FY 2017$99,885+5.4%+1.8%+3.5%
FY 2016$94,780+2.5%+0.7%+1.8%
FY 2015$92,504+4.8%+0.7%+4.0%
FY 2014$88,279+1.8%+1.6%+0.3%
FY 2013$86,689+5.1%+1.7%+3.4%
FY 2012$82,446+0.8%+2.9%−2.1%
FY 2011$81,776———

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 · General Counsel 3

Paid more than 30% of the 10 people with this job title that year. The median was $185,447.

Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.

See everyone with this job title

Every record

18 records, newest first

FYAgencyJob titleCountyBase payOvertimePaid
2026Transportation Dept
Commissioners Office
General Counsel 3
Full-time
Ramsey$87.61 /hr—$178,824
2026Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel Office
General Counsel 1
Full-time · left during year
Ramsey$73.03 /hr——
2025Transportation Dept
Commissioners Office
General Counsel 3
Full-time
Ramsey$83.40 /hr—$166,902
2025Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel Office
General Counsel 1
Full-time · left during year
Ramsey$71.95 /hr——
2024Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
General Counsel 1
Full-time
Ramsey$68.85 /hr—$144,578
2023Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
General Counsel 1
Full-time
Ramsey$65.26 /hr—$140,701
2022Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
General Counsel 1
Full-time
Ramsey$63.63 /hr—$129,797
2021Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
State Prog Admin Manager Prin
Full-time
Ramsey$59.98 /hr—$124,583
2020Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
State Prog Admin Manager Prin
Full-time
Ramsey$58.52 /hr—$121,587
2019Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
State Prog Admin Manager Prin
Full-time
Ramsey$57.23 /hr—$118,660
2018Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
State Prog Admin Manager Prin
Full-time
Ramsey$54.35 /hr—$110,768
2017Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
Admin Mgmt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$49.29 /hr—$99,885
2016Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
Admin Mgmt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$44.84 /hr—$94,780
2015Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
Admin Mgmt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$43.75 /hr—$92,504
2014Transportation Dept
Chief Counsel
Admin Mgmt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$42.48 /hr—$88,279
2013Transportation Dept
Contract Management
Admin Mgmt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$41.24 /hr—$86,689
2012Transportation Dept
Contract Management
Admin Mgt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$40.10 /hr—$82,446
2011Transportation Dept
Contract Management
Admin Mgt Director 2
Full-time
Ramsey$40.10 /hr—$81,776

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 Transportation Dept

FY 2026, amount paid

Highest paid as General Counsel 3

FY 2026, amount paid