Helms, Michael D
Safety Investigator 4Labor & Industry DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
OSHA Inspection Princ/IH3. 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 2011 to FY 2026, pay went up 122% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is up 50% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $99,164 | +5.1% | +3.1% | +2.0% |
| FY 2025 | $94,313 | +8.5% | +2.6% | +5.7% |
| FY 2024 | $86,952 | +6.3% | +3.3% | +2.9% |
| FY 2023 | $81,796 | +9.0% | +6.3% | +2.6% |
| FY 2022 | $75,015 | +2.9% | +7.2% | −4.0% |
| FY 2021 | $72,907 | +2.1% | +2.3% | −0.2% |
| FY 2020 | $71,427 | +2.3% | +1.6% | +0.7% |
| FY 2019 | $69,847 | +5.6% | +2.1% | +3.4% |
| FY 2018 | $66,151 | +5.7% | +2.3% | +3.4% |
| FY 2017 | $62,586 | +6.0% | +1.8% | +4.1% |
| FY 2016 | $59,023 | +6.2% | +0.7% | +5.5% |
| FY 2015 | $55,569 | +6.8% | +0.7% | +6.0% |
| FY 2014 | $52,043 | +6.6% | +1.6% | +5.0% |
| FY 2013 | $48,814 | +6.9% | +1.7% | +5.2% |
| FY 2012 | $45,647 | +2.3% | +2.9% | −0.6% |
| FY 2011 | $44,637 | — | — | — |
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 · Safety Investigator 4
Paid more than 50% of the 8 people with this job title that year. The median was $97,869.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
16 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Princ/IH3 | Safety Investigator 4 Full-time | Ramsey | $47.76 /hr | — | $99,164 |
| 2025 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Princ/IH3 | Safety Investigator 4 Full-time | Ramsey | $45.47 /hr | — | $94,313 |
| 2024 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Princ/IH3 | Safety Investigator 4 Full-time | Ramsey | $41.93 /hr | — | $86,952 |
| 2023 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $38.38 /hr | — | $81,796 |
| 2022 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $36.12 /hr | — | $75,015 |
| 2021 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $35.24 /hr | — | $72,907 |
| 2020 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $34.38 /hr | — | $71,427 |
| 2019 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $33.62 /hr | — | $69,847 |
| 2018 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $32.88 /hr | — | $66,151 |
| 2017 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $31.08 /hr | — | $62,586 |
| 2016 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $29.27 /hr | — | $59,023 |
| 2015 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $27.60 /hr | — | $55,569 |
| 2014 | Labor & Industry Dept OSHA Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $25.85 /hr | — | $52,043 |
| 2013 | Labor & Industry Dept OSH Inspection SE | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $24.21 /hr | — | $48,814 |
| 2012 | Labor & Industry Dept OSH Inspection SE | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $22.92 /hr | — | $45,647 |
| 2011 | Labor & Industry Dept OSH Inspection Central | Safety Investigator 2 Full-time | Ramsey | $22.18 /hr | — | $44,637 |
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 Labor & Industry Dept
FY 2026, amount paid
- McKown, Scott D$225,362Asst Dir Constr Codes & Lic
- Blissenbach, Nicole Marie$185,181Commissioner-Labor & Industry
- Perushek, Mary Katherine$183,485Deputy Commr Labor & Industry
- Mah, Hared Ahmed$178,188Research Scientist 3
- Stimac, Jessica Marlene$172,603Asst Commr Labor & Industry
- Swanson, Kristy L.$168,789Asst Commr Labor & Industry
- Green, Todd A$161,019Dir Constru Codes and Lic
- Zajac, Laura Bonnie$156,690Staff Attorney Supervisor
Highest paid as Safety Investigator 4
FY 2026, amount paid
- Nickles, Brenda J$106,963Labor & Industry Dept
- Hollingsworth, Lisa$106,963Labor & Industry Dept
- Perzichilli, Lisa Marie$106,962Labor & Industry Dept
- Wilman, Dustin$96,574Labor & Industry Dept
- Johnson, Darina$94,727Labor & Industry Dept
- Astorga, Juan$93,641Labor & Industry Dept
- Brighi, Ryan T$80,653Labor & Industry Dept