Kees, Aubree May
Research Scientist 1Agriculture DeptRamsey CountyFull-time
PPD Director 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 2024 to FY 2026, pay went up 62% while consumer prices went up 6%. After inflation, pay is up 53% (it beat inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $96,096 | +17.2% | +3.1% | +13.7% |
| FY 2025 | $81,976 | +38.5% | +2.6% | +34.9% |
| FY 2024 | $59,199 | — | — | — |
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 Scientist 1
Paid more than 91% of the 11 people with this job title that year. The median was $71,324.
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 | Agriculture Dept PPD Director Staff | Research Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $37.26 /hr | $1,398 | $96,096 |
| 2025 | Agriculture Dept PPD Director Staff | Research Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $35.43 /hr | $2,433 | $81,976 |
| 2024 | Agriculture Dept PPD Director Staff | Research Scientist 1 Full-time | Ramsey | $32.71 /hr | $423 | $59,199 |
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 Research Scientist 1
FY 2026, amount paid
- Pollema, Todd Gerald$93,312MN St Colleges & Universities
- Nordmeyer, Cale S$90,393Minnesota Zoological Garden
- Thompson, Taylor Darin$79,616MN St Colleges & Universities
- Weirick, Madison Elizabeth$71,368Health Department
- Reding, Desiree Amelia$71,324Health Department
- Almberg, Caitlyn$63,647Health Department
- Stoltz, Emily Rose$61,546Health Department
- Prue, Ann Marie A$60,034Natural Resources Dept