Gruenes, Richard E
Planner Principal StateAgriculture DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
Ag Finance 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 2014 to FY 2026, pay went up 1,329% while consumer prices went up 39%. After inflation, pay is up 924% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $99,769 | +1.6% | +3.1% | −1.5% |
| FY 2025 | $98,213 | +5.0% | +2.6% | +2.3% |
| FY 2024 | $93,501 | +1.2% | +3.3% | −2.0% |
| FY 2023 | $92,363 | +9.0% | +6.3% | +2.6% |
| FY 2022 | $84,737 | +11.0% | +7.2% | +3.6% |
| FY 2021 | $76,333 | +6.7% | +2.3% | +4.3% |
| FY 2020 | $71,569 | +2.0% | +1.6% | +0.4% |
| FY 2019 | $70,189 | +3.2% | +2.1% | +1.1% |
| FY 2018 | $68,040 | +5.6% | +2.3% | +3.2% |
| FY 2017 | $64,450 | +8.5% | +1.8% | +6.5% |
| FY 2016 | $59,401 | +11.3% | +0.7% | +10.5% |
| FY 2015 | $53,381 | +664.4% | +0.7% | +658.9% |
| FY 2014 | $6,983 | — | — | — |
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 · Planner Principal State
Paid more than 92% of the 302 people with this job title that year. The median was $95,190.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
13 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $47.76 /hr | — | $99,769 |
| 2025 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $47.05 /hr | — | $98,213 |
| 2024 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $45.02 /hr | — | $93,501 |
| 2023 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $42.67 /hr | $341 | $92,363 |
| 2022 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $41.63 /hr | — | $84,737 |
| 2021 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | Planner Principal State Full-time | Ramsey | $39.25 /hr | — | $76,333 |
| 2020 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | State Prog Admin Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $34.38 /hr | $138 | $71,569 |
| 2019 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | State Prog Admin Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $33.62 /hr | — | $70,189 |
| 2018 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | State Prog Admin Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $32.88 /hr | $143 | $68,040 |
| 2017 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | State Prog Admin Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $31.08 /hr | $210 | $64,450 |
| 2016 | Agriculture Dept Ag Finance Staff | State Prog Admin Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $29.27 /hr | $220 | $59,401 |
| 2015 | Pollution Control Agency WTR FS East Feedlot Unit | Environmental Specialist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $25.69 /hr | — | $53,381 |
| 2014 | Pollution Control Agency WTR FS East Feedlot Unit | Environmental Specialist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $24.94 /hr | — | $6,983 |
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 Planner Principal State
FY 2026, amount paid
- Rose, Theodore$110,663African Heritage Council
- Westerman, Curt D$104,596Natural Resources Dept
- Peterson, Brandon$103,227Human Services Dept
- Koss, Kenneth Michael$102,602Human Services Dept
- Croteau-Kallestad, Elizabeth Ann$102,319Transportation Dept
- Calametti, Cassie Huesmann$102,235Public Safety Dept
- Hill, Sierra Henning WB$101,931Health Department
- Sukut, Sol D$101,774Military Affairs Dept