Karnowski, Sandra J
Buyer 1Explore MinnesotaRamsey CountyFull-time
Tourism-Program Services. 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 85% while consumer prices went up 48%. After inflation, pay is up 25% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $72,431 | +2.0% | +3.1% | −1.1% |
| FY 2025 | $71,003 | +4.5% | +2.6% | +1.8% |
| FY 2024 | $67,931 | +1.6% | +3.3% | −1.6% |
| FY 2023 | $66,858 | +6.5% | +6.3% | +0.2% |
| FY 2022 | $62,807 | +2.5% | +7.2% | −4.4% |
| FY 2021 | $61,277 | +4.0% | +2.3% | +1.6% |
| FY 2020 | $58,931 | +5.8% | +1.6% | +4.2% |
| FY 2019 | $55,703 | +7.5% | +2.1% | +5.3% |
| FY 2018 | $51,832 | +6.6% | +2.3% | +4.2% |
| FY 2017 | $48,637 | +2.5% | +1.8% | +0.6% |
| FY 2016 | $47,462 | +2.5% | +0.7% | +1.8% |
| FY 2015 | $46,296 | +5.6% | +0.7% | +4.9% |
| FY 2014 | $43,830 | +6.8% | +1.6% | +5.1% |
| FY 2013 | $41,047 | +5.6% | +1.7% | +3.9% |
| FY 2012 | $38,862 | −0.8% | +2.9% | −3.7% |
| FY 2011 | $39,187 | — | — | — |
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 · Buyer 1
Paid more than 91% of the 54 people with this job title that year. The median was $70,436.
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 | Explore Minnesota Tourism-Program Services | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $34.69 /hr | — | $72,431 |
| 2025 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Program Services | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $34.18 /hr | — | $71,003 |
| 2024 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Program Services | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $32.71 /hr | — | $67,931 |
| 2023 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $31.00 /hr | — | $66,858 |
| 2022 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $30.24 /hr | — | $62,807 |
| 2021 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $29.50 /hr | — | $61,277 |
| 2020 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $28.78 /hr | — | $58,931 |
| 2019 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $27.18 /hr | — | $55,703 |
| 2018 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Buyer 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $25.72 /hr | — | $51,832 |
| 2017 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $23.41 /hr | — | $48,637 |
| 2016 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $22.84 /hr | — | $47,462 |
| 2015 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $22.28 /hr | — | $46,296 |
| 2014 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $21.63 /hr | — | $43,830 |
| 2013 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $20.41 /hr | $61 | $41,047 |
| 2012 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Sr Full-time | Ramsey | $19.46 /hr | — | $38,862 |
| 2011 | Explore Minnesota Tourism Tourism-Support Team | Office & Admin Specialist Int Full-time | Ramsey | $18.84 /hr | — | $39,187 |
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 Explore Minnesota
FY 2026, amount paid
- Bennett McGinty, Lauren M$168,878Dir Explore Minnesota Tourism
- Briley, John Randolph$146,607State Prog Admin Manager Prin
- Helle, Beth A$141,409Senior Executive Officer
- Sutton, Kathryn Jeanne$141,409Senior Executive Officer
- Meyer, Michael J$138,628Financial Mgt Director
- Morgan, Christopher$127,370Communications Supervisor
- Hill, Karina Theresa$122,803Communications Supervisor
- Schak, Jennifer$120,923State Prog Admin Manager
Highest paid as Buyer 1
FY 2026, amount paid
- Huettl, Diane M$73,019MN St Colleges & Universities
- Glaser, Rhonda Kay$72,848Office of Higher Education
- Clark, Samuel Adam$72,618Pollution Control Agency
- Anderson, Russell J$72,529Public Safety Dept
- Sward, Denise A$72,353Military Affairs Dept
- Gunderson, Theresa C$72,327Veterans Affairs Dept
- Trupe, Chade Allen$72,274Public Safety Dept
- Yang, Lu Cha$72,246Transportation Dept