Drago, Emily
Research Analysis Spec SrHealth DepartmentRamsey CountyFull-time
IPMH- Suicide Prevention & MHU. 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 2024 to FY 2026, pay went up 68% while consumer prices went up 6%. After inflation, pay is up 59% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $82,513 | +5.8% | +3.1% | +2.6% |
| FY 2025 | $77,983 | +58.6% | +2.6% | +54.5% |
| FY 2024 | $49,182 | — | — | — |
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 · Research Analysis Spec Sr
Paid more than 38% of the 92 people with this job title that year. The median was $87,644.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
3 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Health Department IPMH- Suicide Prevention & MHU | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $39.93 /hr | $471 | $82,513 |
| 2025 | Health Department IPMH- Suicide Prevention & MHU | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $37.98 /hr | — | $77,983 |
| 2024 | Health Department HPCD IVP SEA Eval & Econ Staff | Research Analysis Spec Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $35.13 /hr | — | $49,182 |
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 Health Department
FY 2026, amount paid
- Lynfield, Ruth$319,013Medical Specialist 4
- Lehnertz, Nicholas$273,587Medical Specialist 2
- Stadheim, Ruth$229,052State Prog Admin Coordinator
- Cunningham, Brooke$189,360Commissioner-Health
- Benson, Robin Christopher$188,266General Counsel 3
- Underwood, Wendy Lynne$187,354Deputy Commr Health
- Smith, Kirk E$185,409Epidemiologist Program Manager
- Desai, Jay$185,344Epidemiologist Program Manager
Highest paid as Research Analysis Spec Sr
FY 2026, amount paid
- Mason, Erin E$102,590Pollution Control Agency
- Zaidman, Brian M$101,576Labor & Industry Dept
- Chollett, Shelby Ann$100,717MN St Colleges & Universities
- Payne, Jill M$100,467Sentencing Guidelines Comm
- Snipes, Sara$99,480Direct Care and Treatment
- Hammida, Mustapha$99,291Employ & Econ Development Dept
- Vaagenes, Ian$99,291Transportation Dept
- Wilm, John G$99,291Transportation Dept